There is a general consensus that physical activity reduces the risk of psychological problems in children and fosters their self-esteem. Playground is the place where the self esteem of children is promoted. Many Paediatric specialists feel playground alone can help children to develop their social skills that are carried forward into their adulthood. Playing in the open ground reduces the psychological problems of children. Independent research concludes that playgrounds are among the most important environments for children outside the home. Safety discussions do not normally include an evaluation of the unintended consequences of injury prevention, such as older children who do not exercise at the playground because the playground is too boring.
Types of playgrounds
Playgrounds can be
• Built by collaborative support of corporate and community resources.
• Public, free of charge, developed and maintained by government agencies.
• A business with an entrance fee
• Connected to a business, for customers only.
A type of playground called a playscape can provide children with the necessary feeling of ownership. Playscapes can also provide parents with the assurance of their child's safety and well being, which may not be prevalent in an open field or wooded area.
Safety is generally understood as the prevention of injuries. Risk aversion and fear of lawsuits on the part of the adults who design playgrounds prioritizes injury prevention above other factors, such as cost or developmental benefit to the users. It is important that children gradually develop the skill of risk assessment, and a completely safe environment does not allow that.
Safety measures in the playground are disputed in school or among regulators. Over at least the last twenty years, the kinds of equipment to be found in playgrounds has changed, often towards safer equipment built with plastic. For example, an older jungle gym might be constructed entirely from steel bars, while newer ones tend to have a minimal steel framework while providing a web of nylon ropes for children to climb on. Playgrounds with equipment that children may fall off often use protective cover on the ground to help cushion the impact.
All-encompassing playgrounds
Universally designed playgrounds are created to be accessible to all children. There are three primary components to a higher level of inclusive play:
1 Physical accessibility
2 Age and developmental appropriateness
3 Sensory-stimulating activity.
Children having any disability or developmental differences do not interact with playgrounds in the same way as typical children. A playground designed without considering these children's needs may not be accessible or interesting to them.
Most efforts at inclusive playgrounds have been aimed at accommodating wheelchair users. For example, rubber paths and ramps replace sand pits and steps, and some features are placed at ground level. Efforts to accommodate children on the childhood development disorder who may find playgrounds over stimulating or who may have difficulty interacting with other children, have been less common
Natural playgrounds
Children are always fascinated by the "Natural playgrounds". In natural playgrounds where the play environments that blend natural materials, features, and indigenous vegetation with creative landforms to create purposely complex interplays of natural, environmental objects in ways that challenge and fascinate children and teach them about the wonders and niceties of the natural world while they play within it.
Play components may include earth shapes (sculptures), environmental art, indigenous vegetation (trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, lichens, mosses), boulders or other rock structures, dirt and sand, natural fences (stone, willow, wooden), textured pathways, and natural water features.
Children and an overabundance of scheduled classes and activities keep children from the joys of free play.
When children do have free time they mostly children sit in front of the television or computer. For some children, due to their living atmosphere or neighbourhood, apartment complex or house has no outdoor play spaces. With budgets for city and state governments slashed, public parks and outdoor playgrounds have deteriorated and been abandoned. Childhood and outdoor play are no longer synonymous.
Today, many children lead what one play expert calls a childhood of imprisonment. This makes playgrounds at schools and child care facilities especially important, as they are often the only outdoor activities that children experience.
Kids and Exercise
Generally children have lot of energy and enthusiasm. The only exercise for children is playing which will help them to keep relaxed and relieve them of all psychological problems. They usually can meet their physical exercise needs through playing. Climbing, jumping, running, hopping, crawling and sliding are all ways kids can move their bodies while they play. School playground equipment specifically caters to these activities. Physical activity helps kids start down the path of a fit and healthy lifestyle.
About Author / Additional Info: