7 Design Elements for Superior Play Value

Author: Austin Stanfel

7 Design Elements for Superior Play Value

Any playground can be beneficial to children as play areas, but many of the activities in well-designed playgrounds can actually help in a child’s natural development. There are known to be 7 elements required for a playground to meet its full potential in improving a child’s natural development, and these are:

• • Swinging
• • Sliding
• • Climbing
• • Brachiating (Swinging from one arm to another)
• • Spinning
• • Balancing
• • Sensory Systems.

Swinging
To the children, swinging may only afford them a relaxing, soothing sensation. But in reality, it strengthens their bodies and helps it to co-ordinate one part with another. Swinging can also help with the development of a child’s vestibular system. Children with underdeveloped vestibular systems often feel unbalanced and unsettled.

Sliding
Some children sit in what is known as a W position. and this is where one leg bends back on either side of the body, forming the letter W. This can be a hindrance to the flexibility of their legs and hips and could also contribute to them being unable to fully develop special awareness. Sliding forces a child to place their feet in front of them and, at the same time, promotes social interaction and improves their ability to follow instructions.

Climbing
Several attributes are given to climbing, the first the ability for it to improve hand-eye co-ordination. Second is its ability to not only build strength but to also build self-confidence. Thirdly, climbing can assist a child in learning the need to place things in the correct places and in the correct order.

Brachiating
Learning to have to place one hand in front of the other in order to advance helps a child to learn the need for placing things in the correct order. Brachiating, of course, also helps to build upper body strength and co-ordination.

Spinning
Spinning not only helps with better tone and endurance but can also assist a child in understanding direction, speed, and force which are essential for healthy, natural development. Hearing their screams of joy can, of course, also be beneficial to you.

Balancing
Balancing promotes a child’s ability to concentrate, which is essential especially during their school years and so the earlier they learn the better.

Sensory System
When there are many different objects for a child to look at, they get to learn about things being wet or dry, old or new. Looking at these objects will also strengthen their eye muscles and help them distinguish differences between objects that at first look similar.

All the above activities can, therefore, help promote a child’s development as well as afford them some fun experiences. The aim of any playground, therefore, should not just be to provide a place where children can play but should also be a place where children can learn natural abilities while they play.

Conclusion
If your playground or a playground near you does not have all these facilities, the benefits of introducing them should perhaps be brought to the relevant authority’s attention. It is our responsibility to try and ensure that our children develop properly and thoroughly.