Learning Centers in Thailand: Letting Kids Grow Outside the Classroom

[snoop1130]

As the restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic finally draw to a close, Thailand’s younger generation is heading back to school. But after two years of learning at home in front of a computer screen, many are finding it difficult to adjust.

 

Learning centers and creative spaces offer a unique take on education. They make it fun. After all, the best way to learn is often the result of a passion for something. That’s why people often excel at their hobbies.

 

With that said, let’s take a look at three such places in Bangkok that aim to stimulate, engage, and inspire creativity in children.

 

What is a learning center, anyway?

 

A learning center is typically a place that offers multiple ways to learn. Often, these provide various forms of engagement from more active ones like physical activities to more passive ones like artwork. At learning centers, children are able to improve a broad swathe of traits including: independence, responsibility, teamwork, communication, problem solving, and fitness—things that will set them up well for later in life.

 

One major advantage learning centers have is that children have the benefit of getting to choose the things they want to spend their time doing the most—something they don’t always get the opportunity to do at school. This means that they are more likely enjoying themselves.

 

Thailand has a strong culture of learning and a literacy rate of over 98% among ages 15–24. However, the journey to academia begins early. Young children have minds that develop quickly and respond well to safe environments that can nurture stimulation—environments like learning centers.

 

MEGA HarborLand

 

Source: HarborLand Group

 

MEGA HarborLand is an impressive 8,000-square-meter playground that offers all kinds of exciting activities and zones for kids to learn and be active.

 

MotorCity lets children try their hand at driving go-karts around a small circuit, improve their hand-eye coordination by bumping into their friends in the bumper car arena, and even practice actual driving in a simulator that allows them to experience being behind the wheel of a car on a highway and in a garage (hopefully their carburetor is okay!).

 

Source: HarborLand Group

 

Laser tag is fun for the whole family. It’s a great way to compete and exercise while coming up with strategies. It’s also a fantastic tool for practicing communication in the heat of the moment.

 

MEGA HarborLand also features a trampoline zone, a rollerblading area, and even a rock-climbing and zip-lining adventure area. These activities encourage children to move in new ways, improving their coordination, their balance, and their fitness.

 

Finally, there is a large arcade full of carefully curated games that are designed to push creativity and problem solving.

 

Playville

 

Source: Playville Facebook Page

 

Playville is a learning center that caters to children six months to six years old. It has all sorts of arts and crafts that children can try as well as a great indoor playground.

 

These are organized into various workshops and activities, including scavenger hunts, bug-themed guided play, baby playdates, and “Messy Play,” which lets kids get all covered in paint.

 

Source: Playville Facebook Page

 

Creating art is an important learning tool that brings out creativity and makes children think about the world around them. What proportions make up a human face, how light bounces off different surfaces, how the sky changes color closer to the horizon, and other complex ideas can be developed early on without them even realizing it.

 

Get Growing Community Farm

 

Source: Get Growing Community Farm Facebook Page

 

There is a certain nostalgia for many of us about going out into the forest, building tree forts, and coming back at the end of the day happily covered in scrapes and bruises. Children are a lot tougher than we think. Get Growing Community Farm is a special place that will help children learn that.

 

The farm is located in the Green Lung of Bangkok, a short boat ride across the river from Wat Klong Toey Nok Pier. There, you’ll be met with a life-size Trojan horse, an outdoor jungle gym, a wide variety of farm animals (as well as an ostrich!), ziplines, mud pits, and an adventure club. Tucked into the palm trees at the back is a pleasant rustic cafe for parents.

 

Speaking from experience, there’s always a chance of kids getting a scraped knee or two while enjoying the attractions. But, as one of the signs at the farm points out, “Children need to take risks.” They learn from those experiences and develop risk assessment and problem-solving skills. It builds character. The Get Growing Community Farm gives children this opportunity.

 

Honorable mentions

 

Bangkok isn’t the only place in Thailand that offers learning centers.

 

The Gymboree Play & Music Phuket offers art projects, playgrounds, and activities for young children. It’s won numerous awards for its education-based approach.

 

The Sirindhorn Astro Park in Chiang Mai offers all sorts of science-based interactive displays, a planetarium, mechanical building activities, and even a meteorite that children can touch!

 

Manta Kids in Pattaya is a beautiful facility that centers around teaching children to swim and having fun in the water. Swimming is one of the most important activities you can learn both for safety and for fun later in life.

 

Growing outside the classroom

 

Education is important. That’s a fact. However, education isn’t just courses you take in a classroom—something we too often forget.

 

Children should get the chance to expand their interpersonal skills, their problem-solving skills, and their creativity. Learning centers and creative spaces give them that chance, and make it fun to boot.

 

By taking advantage of alternative methods to learn, parents in Thailand can stimulate young minds and broaden their horizons in ways we might not even imagine, giving them the creativity to solve the problems of tomorrow. It’s also a great way to spend the day!

 

Source: https://www.thailandnow.in.th/life-society/learning-centers-in-thailand-letting-kids-grow-outside-the-classroom/

 

-- © Copyright THAILAND NOW 2022-10-11

 

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[BKKTRAVELER]

5 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

What is a learning center, anyway?

A place where you'll spend too much money for not so much. Been there, done that..

[Iamfalang]

worked at one for a few days run (small place, not related to article of course).....what a joke.

 

the one I was out seemed like a total scam, smile fest, learn nothing, waste of money for the students.

 

i got paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaid..............................so mai bpen rai to your kids

 

of course some are good, most are a complete joke with unqualified clowns

Edited October 11, 2022 by Iamfalang

[ikke1959]

Learning centers are a waste of money. If the kids get a proper education in school, with more freetime instead of 7 days a week learning and long rides home in a schoolbus. Kids should be free to play and develop with friends in freetime. Not special classes after schools and weekends. No need for learning centers except in a amusentpark where they can relax too

[Joe Farang]

A commercial advert disguised as an article on teaching children.

 

It's vomit inducing

[Rhys]

ngah.. beyond hope for many  who cannot afford such places..

[RichardColeman]

Amazing that a play area can be classified as a learning ground these days

[Tarteso]

Not a mention for Learning Center for adults ????

[bangon04]

15 hours ago, Joe Farang said:

A commercial advert disguised as an article on teaching children.

 

It's vomit inducing

It implies that Thai regular schools stunt the growth of Thai children...

[metisdead]

A post with an inappropriate comment has been removed.

[peter zwart]

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

One major advantage learning centers have is that children have the benefit of getting to choose the things they want to spend their time doing the most

And that is precisely the only thing in this offer that is not good. It leads to very limited general development. Great to let a child delve into something he/she likes, but there is also such a thing that you sometimes have to do things in life that you may not like that much but are badly needed. Other than that, I think it's a very good concept. Especially if you look at the current, very outdated, education system in Thailand.
 

[BangkokReady]

11 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Amazing that a play area can be classified as a learning ground these days

Isn't it like "Sunday School" that churches used to have?  See some friends, play a little, learn a little, etc.?

[BangkokReady]

3 minutes ago, peter zwart said:

And that is precisely the only thing in this offer that is not good. It leads to very limited general development. Great to let a child delve into something he/she likes, but there is also such a thing that you sometimes have to do things in life that you may not like that much but are badly needed. Other than that, I think it's a very good concept. Especially if you look at the current, very outdated, education system in Thailand.

Yeah, I'm not sure how true that is.  If they get to choose to play this game or that game for the whole time, then that's just a day-care.  Mostly the activities should be structured.  Varied, interesting, but still structured and educational.

[peter zwart]

1 minute ago, BangkokReady said:

Yeah, I'm not sure how true that is.  If they get to choose to play this game or that game for the whole time, then that's just a day-care.  Mostly the activities should be structured.  Varied, interesting, but still structured and educational.

Think we're mainly on the same level 

[Joe Farang]

18 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Isn't it like "Sunday School" that churches used to have?  See some friends, play a little, learn a little, etc.?

"Sunday School"

 

I remember hearing about that on "The Little House on the Prairie" and "The Waltons"

The very thought of it sent shivers down my spine.

[Wilyam]

hello everybody. Do you please know cheapest PCR test clinic in Chiang Mai? Thank you 

(i can not pay 3k baht for this as it's just ridiculous)

[BangkokReady]

15 minutes ago, Joe Farang said:

"Sunday School"

 

I remember hearing about that on "The Little House on the Prairie" and "The Waltons"

The very thought of it sent shivers down my spine.

Better than spending eternity in the fires of hell though... ????