As the experts put it, a playground should be a hub for kids to enhance their social, physical and emotional skills. Having an open playground in schools, in parks or in the community will help kids interact and with other kids building social connection.
They also note that playground facilities develop children’s flexibility and motor skills. Thus, choosing quality playground equipment is a must.
There might be a lot of considerations in choosing playground equipment. But basically, there are just three important things to consider.
1. Value of Fun and Learning
A playground is a fun and enjoyable place. And, the more equipment it has, the more fun it will be for kids.
You can have see saws, slides, climbers, swings, play houses and obstacle courses scattered around the place for the kids to enjoy. Colors enhance the fun environment in a playground, too. Choose equipments with colorful designs to create a festive mood that kids will like.
Playground equipments should not only be fun. They should also be able to provide and facilitate learning and progress to kids. Make sure that each piece of equipment contributes to the development of the motor and mental skills of the children.
2. Durability
In choosing playground equipments, make sure that they will last long so you won’t have to buy new ones year after year.
Consider the materials used for the equipment. There are playground equipments made of wood, metal, aluminum and plastic. Each has their own pros and cons.
Materials made of wood are strong but may rot through time, especially if the equipments are exposed to drastic weather changes.
Metal and aluminum are stronger but may corrode and rust. Plastic are lighter and cheap, but it may fail to support older children.
Be careful in looking on the specifications of the equipments you buy for your playground. Choose only equipments made of high-grade materials to ensure quality and durability.
3. Safety
Safety is the most important consideration when choosing equipments. While you cannot foresee playground accidents, prevent them by making sure that the equipments are safe to use.
Examine the equipments first before buying. If they are pre-made, check the corners and edges as well as the joints to see if they are sturdy enough.
For see saws, check sockets and bolts and make sure they are intact. For climbers, check each bar if they are well-attached to their support. For swings, make sure that the ropes or chains are strong enough to support weight.
You should always be keen and meticulous in choosing the right equipment for your playground. Think about these three important considerations when you buy see saws, slides and other playground equipments for a safe and long-lasting fun and enjoyment!
Why It’s Important that Children Play Outdoors
In an age obsessed with gadgets and computing devices, indoor activities for both the kids and adults are on the rise. In the last decade or so, all types of interactions, whether personal or formal, are increasingly through a gadget and kids particularly are missing some interpersonal skills, which can be attributed to this device-addiction.
Watching TV, playing games on the computer, and doodling on the tablet are common daily activities amongst the kids of ages 1-12, even older. Playing outdoors, in the parks and playgrounds, is an activity that is mostly ignored either due to the lack of time or because it does not hold the interest of kids as the visual media does.
Playing outdoors is an important element in the physical development of children. Outdoor play in parks and playgrounds allows children an opportunity to engage in physical activities like jumping, running and climbing trees or slides in the playground, which help develop their muscles.
These physical activities are particularly instrumental in fighting health conditions linked to sedentary lifestyle like childhood obesity.
Outdoor play can reduce stress among kids (yes, kids suffer from stress too!), improve their motor skills, and help in social growth and development through interaction with other children.
Studies about child behavior show that the lack of outdoor play is directly linked to attention-deficit disorders, learning disabilities and impaired psychological and emotional development among children.
Parents nowadays are worried about their kids’ safety and are afraid to allow their kids to engage in physical activities that will be beneficial in the long-term. For kids to find fulfillment in their physical play, experts recommend allowing them to indulge in “free play.”
The concept of free play is simple – no rules, no coaches, no supervision. When kids play by making rules on-the-way, they learn as well as enjoy.
Physical activities in a playground can promote self-confidence and a sense of responsibility in younger kids. Games that are unstructured also help in promoting creativity, an attitude towards problem-solving and a cohesiveness in behavior, which is hard to foster through activities designed for tablets.
Health and psychology experts are increasing cautioning that if kids are not allowed to play outdoors for at least an hour every day, it can hamper their development and behavior as adults.
This information is courtesy of Molanda Company, which provides durable commercial playground equipment and playground structures for parks, schools, apartment complexes, churches, daycare facilities, municipalities, and the general public at an affordable price, www.molandacompany.com.
