Movement and Development in the Yard and on Playgrounds
The next time your child asks for another turn on the slide, or your toddler insists swinging non-stop - it's worth remembering that spending time on playground equipment is not only fun but also contributes to the development of children of all ages.
Playing on the playground and in the back yard has many benefits for the physical and mental health of children. When playing outside, you breathe in clean air, develop your imagination, creativity, and social skills, strengthen your independence and self-confidence, refine your cognitive skills, expend energy, and even relax. The World Health Organization also recommends that children sit as little as possible - and play as much as possible.
Playing on playgrounds is important
Active and moving: for the most part, active play on a playground or backyard includes physical movement. Whether it's running, jumping, climbing, swinging, crawling, gliding, spinning or rolling - children learn how to move their bodies in space, use their senses as well as the large and small muscles of the body, strengthening and stretching them. While performing the activity, children also develop gross and fine motor skills while practicing stability and balance.
Brain development: The new sights, smells, sounds, and textures that children are exposed to in the backyard and playgrounds create stimulation and neural connections in the brain. These stimuli result in brain development and improved learning capabilities.
Communication and independence: This play is also important for the children’s interaction with their playmates on the same device. They learn to wait for their turn, practice ‘teamwork’, share, forgive and look out for those younger than them. Young children develop language and learn the rules of the game by imitating the older children. For the most part, backyard and playground play are performed freely, without adult guidance. Children enjoy independence and daring. It is, of course, always important that an adult be in the environment supervising children’s safety. When discussing toddlers who require close supervision, playing on the playground provides quality time with parents.
For more information about playground safety
Development in every equipment
Playgrounds have various activity equipment - swings, slides, monkey bars, climbing walls, activity walls, etc. Every piece of equipment plays a key role in child development. What skills can be developed when using each equipment and how does each equipment contribute to development?