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