Shade in Playgrounds: Beating the Heat for Kids’ Safety
Author: Austin Stanfel
Playgrounds are vital to any community, offering children a safe and enjoyable physical activity and social interaction space. However, the importance of providing adequate shade in playgrounds must be addressed. The scorching sun can pose risks such as sunburn, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. Therefore, it is crucial to consider shading options when
Play Deprivation: Why it Matters and What Schools Can Do About It
Author: Austin Stanfel
Play is an essential part of childhood development. Through play, children learn critical social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills crucial for their future success. Unfortunately, many schools have cut back on playtime, leaving children with limited play opportunities. This lack of play, or play deprivation, can severely affect a child's development. In
Empowering First Graders: Encouraging Student Leadership in Classroom
Author: Austin Stanfel
Leadership is an essential skill that can be developed at any age. Many people assume that leadership is an innate quality and that some people are born with it while others are not. However, this is only partially true. Leadership can be taught and developed, especially when it is encouraged at an
Play’s Impact: Children’s Developmental Journey
Author: Austin Stanfel
Play is vital to a child's development, as it promotes physical, social, and emotional growth. One of the most important aspects of play is the environment in which it occurs. Playgrounds are integral to a child's play environment, providing a space to run, climb, and interact with other children. However, not all
Designing and Maintaining Off-Leash Dog Parks
Author: Austin Stanfel
Off-leash dog parks have become a popular destination for pet owners and their furry companions to socialize, exercise and play. With the increasing demand for dog parks, designers and planners are adopting new trends in the design and construction of off-leash dog parks to meet the needs of both pets and their
Developing Safe and Sustainable Outdoor Fitness Sites for Everyone
Author: Austin Stanfel
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health, and everyone must have access to a safe and effective place to work out. While many people prefer to exercise indoors, others prefer to exercise outside. In recent years, outdoor fitness sites have become increasingly popular, providing individuals with a space to exercise and