We have all heard it. That saying about never working with children and animals, but we at Canopies by Acer disagree with that particular well known expression.

From the very start, we actively promote user-centered design on all of our projects and with more and more schools and nurseries recognising the benefits of our products every day, helping our education sector clients to figure out ways to tap into younger and valuable sources of brain power has become one of our specialisms. Canopies, covered walkways and outdoor play areas are just some of our passions and we can work together with you on community engagement and activities to entice pupil interest in your project and inspire everybody to think about their surroundings.

Call it what you will. Whether it is that magical innocence or just their capacity for thought without boundaries, children and young people are particularly good at coming up with astounding creative ideas and thinking outside of the box. So when it comes to sussing out the specifics of outside play areas, choosing the colours of canopies, or winding your way through our fantastic selection of walkways, why put yourself and your team through the paralysis of over- analysis when your younger counterparts could already be far off down the road and busy conjuring up concepts that are sophisticated, sensitive and thoughtful.

Let’s face it many of us are a long way from understanding the conditions of modern childhood so it makes sense to get ideas for outside play areas, covered walkways and entrance canopies straight from the horse’s mouth. Research also shows that if children participate in the design and installation aspects of their surroundings that they will feel an increased responsibility and take better care of the facilities around them.

And it doesn’t end there. Involving children in the decision making process is an exciting learning opportunity and allows them to participate actively in areas that are usually off limits. And with a long list of benefits, from helping them to understand democratic decision making, negotiation, resolution and team working to how they can convey their likes and dislikes and defend their opinions, it is a valuable process.

As another famous saying goes; “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” But that is one we do tend to agree with.

For more information, contact Canopies by Acer.