| We all know kids love playgrounds. Now, | | | | playgrounds are a fun, cost-effective way of |
| research shows that playing on the playground | | | | ensuring that children receive the |
| can boost brainpower too! Playing has been | | | | recommended amount of daily physical |
| linked to emotional, social, motor and | | | | activity. |
| cognitive development. Playgrounds facilitate | | | | |
| the benefits of pure, spontaneous and active | | | | There are various physical development |
| free play. Some ways they do it are listed | | | | opportunities which playgrounds present. |
| below. | | | | Tactile panels promote manipulation and |
| | | | coordination; bridges and ramps promote loco |
| Play and Free Play | | | | motor skills; and slides and swings promote |
| | | | balance and coordination. Monkey bars and |
| While we take the playing done by children | | | | climbing ladders teach children fine motor |
| for granted, we seldom ponder the mechanics | | | | control such as reaching, grasping and |
| of it. There are many ways that children play | | | | releasing. There are also ample opportunities |
| and they have unique benefits to the child's | | | | for jumping, running, balancing and |
| development. Physical play such as running, | | | | stretching. |
| jumping, dancing promotes physical fitness. | | | | |
| Fantasy play such as dressing up or pretend | | | | Language Development, Intelligence, and |
| play expands the mind and imagination. Young | | | | Social Skills |
| children play in a very simple manner, their | | | | |
| games and scenarios becoming more complex as | | | | Through play children learn to develop their |
| they grow and develop. | | | | imagination, intelligence and language. The |
| | | | playground allows children to safely |
| Although structured, organized activity has | | | | congregate with their peers and interact |
| its place in a child's day; it is really | | | | together. The children's eagerness to create |
| through free, spontaneous play that a child | | | | and join in games expands their social and |
| is able to develop critical thinking, | | | | communication skills. |
| problem-solving and imagination. Since most | | | | |
| children are naturally active, they often | | | | Through the act of creating games and |
| combine their natural tendency physical | | | | inviting each other to play, children learn |
| activity with playing. Playgrounds provide an | | | | societal rules and functioning in a group |
| optimal environment for a child to be active, | | | | setting. Negotiation, cooperation and |
| explore his environment, interact with his | | | | compromise are essential talents children |
| peers and play in his own unique style. | | | | must possess in order to feel comfortable and |
| | | | as if they belong in their group of friends. |
| Brain Development | | | | |
| | | | The children's way of spontaneously creating |
| Most of us are aware of recent findings that | | | | "games" illustrates how playing on a |
| the most crucial period for brain development | | | | playground stimulates social and emotional |
| is under the age of five. We have all | | | | development. Children, whether they know each |
| probably also heard that "play is important | | | | other or not, will gravitate towards one |
| for children". There is actual science behind | | | | another and start a game of "tag" or "hide |
| that statement! The act of playing stimulates | | | | and seek". Or perhaps an elaborate fantasy |
| brain development and function. Vigorous | | | | game will be created, with the playground |
| gross motor activity is also critical for | | | | structure being transformed into a castle and |
| proper brain development, by creating and | | | | the children being assigned roles of knights, |
| establishing vital neural pathways. | | | | kings and wizards. In order for the game to |
| | | | function smoothly, vital communication must |
| Playgrounds help to develop a child's | | | | take place, through discussion, agreements |
| cognitive development, because they provide | | | | and the ability to resolve conflicts. A child |
| sensory-motor stimuli, which directly | | | | who can not handle his frustrations, or abide |
| corresponds with the small child's preferred | | | | by the invented "rules" will find himself out |
| method of learning. Through running, climbing | | | | of the game. |
| and pretending, the child is building his | | | | |
| brain while having fun! | | | | Summary |
| | | | |
| Motor-skills | | | | There is more to a child's play than meets |
| | | | the eye. Playing is crucial to the successful |
| There are reports which suggest that children | | | | development of the brain, body and intellect. |
| which fail to properly develop motor skills | | | | It helps to create neural pathways that will |
| by the age 5 will likely have a hard time | | | | last the rest of the child's life. Playing |
| developing the essential skills later on. The | | | | promotes motor development by exploring and |
| best place to gain those skills at an early | | | | expanding the limits of the child's growing |
| age seems to be the playground. Toddlers have | | | | body. Finally, through playing with his peers |
| a chance to explore new surroundings and | | | | the child learns social, emotional and oral |
| learn new skills, while older children enjoy | | | | skills. |
| the challenge of testing their strength and | | | | |
| trying more difficult pieces of equipment. | | | | Playground equipment and space provide a |
| Playgrounds provide the space children need | | | | suitable environment for a young child to |
| to freely run and expend their energy and | | | | engage in appropriate developmental play. The |
| advance to the next stage of development. | | | | fact that it is a fun activity that most |
| Children who lack physical activity might | | | | children enjoy will have lasting positive |
| face health consequences as adults, and | | | | effects on their overall development. |