Tag Archives: preschool playground equipment

Author: Austin Stanfel

It is not an inexpensive venture to build and design a playground site. There are several steps involved in designing and executing a project, all of which require financial support. Therefore, many planners rely on a crowdfunding source to assist with the fundraising effort. In our digital age, crowdfunding allows for a lot of money to be raised by a collection of small contributions over the Internet. Many sites, such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, are dedicated to hosting crowdfunding campaigns. The process itself can be successful if you are aware of the best possible professional tips:

1. Plan and Prepare: You must have a clear strategy with defined goals before beginning your crowdfunding campaign. In this early phase of the operation, research and network building are fundamental. At this time, you will determine who you can rely on to help you fund this playground project. You will also work closely with experts to lay out specific outcomes and goals for the intended project. Funders would want to know the value of their efforts.

2. Get to know the audience: The funders who will support your playground project must be researched and encouraged. It is important to know what your funders will value. This will help you understand the goals and outcomes desired from the project. Focusing on these specific ideals will also help you to recruit even more funders. Once you have distinguished your project, certain events can be planned to recruit more funders and build engagement with potential supporters.

3. Build Dreams: Successful crowdfunding campaigns focus on the realization of compelling visions. Funders are invested in helping dreams come true. (thediscerningcat.com) Therefore, it is crucial to have a clear vision that can be related to many people through the Internet interface. The creativity of the project must be visible. Funders need to know that this playground project will make a difference in lives. Anecdotal stories can contribute to framing a large narrative, which can encourage funders to see the human side of any project.

4. Use the Best Site: In addition to researching potential funders, there is also a need for research on the best website to use as the crowdfunding platform. Some websites are more focused on charitable donations and attract a different type of funder. Some research and assistance from an expert will allow you to present your best campaign.

5. Promote and Perform: Once the site is chosen and the goals are established, you can promote and execute the crowdfunding campaign. Some campaigns are donation-based, and the donors will receive a gift or reward in exchange for their generous monetary donation. Another form of giving is investment funding, which allows donors to become equity partners. Either way, promote the perks of becoming a funder for the project and encourage fundraising gains.

Author: Austin Stanfel

Children deserve to explore and play. They should have more time to play because it is truly beneficial. Why not try buying playground equipment instead of always going to a playground where you spend a more considerable amount of money. Nonetheless, you have to be more careful and wiser so that you can have a great choice in return. When you have a hard time making a decision, below are the things you need to weigh in your mind.

• Appropriate and Safe Surfaces: As a parent, you need to identify playground equipment safety. Since kids are clumsy and playful, they should be safe when using any type of playground tool. Your choice should have an appropriate surface to eliminate significant impacts when they fall. To minimize your risks of getting deceived, you must know acceptable surfaces such as wood chips, engineered wood fiber, synthetic or rubber tiles, poured-in-place rubber and pea gravel. With that, optimal safety can be guaranteed. They will not get hurt or acquire severe injuries.

• Guardrails and Barriers that are designed for any children’s needs – Children really like to climb. That is why playground equipment is tailored for climbing. As they climb onto higher platforms, they have more risk of getting severe injuries. In this case, guardrails and barriers should be specially custom-made to avoid injuries. When you have preschoolers, you have to understand that guardrails should be over 20 inches high. Furthermore, guardrails must be 30 inches high for school-aged kids. Depending on the age of your children, you can select platforms that are over 48 inches high. However, make sure to purchase barriers.

• Durable and long-lasting: Apart from safety features, it is important to have a sturdy and lasting option. In doing so, you can make a worthwhile investment that your future kids and grandchildren can employ. Nonetheless, it would be best if you opted for a reputed service provider trusted in the industry. You will feel assured that your chosen playground equipment is made from materials that are of incredible quality.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Playground equipment should have an aesthetic appeal. Though a lot of parents ignore it, your purchase should have child-friendly designs. Certainly, your children will have more fun and excitement to explore, play, and socialize, among other things. When you have introverted kids, they will feel interested in interacting with other kids near you. Thus, playground equipment with aesthetic appeal truly makes a tremendous difference.

• Resistant to Complex Issues: Aside from aesthetic appeal, your outdoor playground equipment should also be resistant to issues such as corrosion and scratches. Once you choose that feature, your children can have the best playing moment.

When you encounter difficulty making the best decision, Voice of Play comes to your rescue. They provide one-of-a-kind playground equipment that will never frustrate or disappoint you. They are committed to delivering services or products that are of high quality. Contact them today at (916) 638-5375 and see how they can make your kids’ playing time safe and enjoyable!

Author: Austin Stanfel

The standard playground no longer exists. Due to the change in playground materials, every playground can be customized to the needs of the space and the intended children. Personalization in the landscape of the space allows for numerous ways to create and install playgrounds. A plethora of playground components is available. Several considerations must be made as a playground designer thinks about the location of the play area. These considerations will inevitably be incorporated into decisions about the pieces and inclusions of the play set design. The playgrounds can also be based on a theme, such as castles, trains, pirates, and farms. The imagination that soars in themed playgrounds encourages an escape from reality and pretend play.

The location of the playground is essential to the creation of the set. Designs can be customized to the expectations and needs of the physical surroundings. Examples of setting specific locations and how the designs can be customized include:

• Museums: The recreation areas at museums, zoos, and aquariums should reinforce the innovative learning that takes place in these sacred spaces of knowledge. Therefore, play environments in these settings can use elements of the museum, zoo, or aquarium in the playground components. The structures encourage the physical and emotional development of the children in a safe environment. Superior Recreational Products is also a provider of recreational products. This means that individual products that provide shade and seating for everyone outdoor, in addition to the components of the playground, can be provided. It is important to think about all aspects of recreation when you design playgrounds.

• Schools: Children are learning through all the activities in their day. As a result, children are learning when they are playing on the playground. Through social interactions and exposure to bright colors, the play set of a school can be very influential in the overall educational activities of the day (Tips for Getting Your Kids More Active). The design can be customized to fit the school’s ideals. However, safety remains the top priority, ensuring that the children will remain unharmed regardless of the play. The customized components of the play set will encourage the physical and mental growth of children and enhance the daily positive development of the school’s curriculum.

• Religious Organizations: The addition of a playground at your religious organization serves as your contribution to the community. Play areas designed with a wide range of products, encourage the emotional and physical growth of children. Playgrounds are also a place where people come together as a community to remember and celebrate the joys of youth. There are several inexpensive play setting designs that will add unity and identity to your space of worship.

• Parks: Neighborhood parks and recreational grounds are where you expect to see the playground components, and the selection should not disappoint. With a variety of play amenities, in addition to facilities for shade and seating, there are endless options for designing a space in a neighborhood park. These areas are essential for creating and fostering community. In fact, these spaces can even contribute to the healthy lifestyles of those living in the neighborhood.

Author: Austin Stanfel

A trip to the playground is nothing less of a joyful trip for children of all age groups. However, as parents, we have to be extremely cautious about the playground set so our kids stay protected from harm while they engage with playground equipment. The most crucial element that seems to be lacking in most playgrounds is the shade structure.

Playground equipment attachments, such as chains, metal attachments, and holders located on climbing structures can become hazards in the blazing summer sun. The overheating of the equipment can cause substantial skin burn that could discourage children from playing out in the sun. In addition, by engaging in outdoor play activities, children become more prone to UV damage which is the number one cause of skin cancer. This hazard can be avoided with the help of proper shading around the play area.

Using the proper shade structures in the play area, you can ensure that children get only an appropriate amount of sun without compromising their play activities.

How To Buy a Shade Structure?

Buying a shade structure can be challenging if you are not aware of the types of structure. The most important thing is understanding what your play area needs and then looking for a shade structure according to the play area needs. If you are not certain what to buy, contact your nearest dealer and get informed regarding the available shade structures.

Creative Recreational Systems, Inc. offers various shade structures that provide excellent coverage for outdoor recreational areas. The shade structures are available with different color combinations to match your exact needs. In addition, you can get your shade structures custom-made to have an exact fit for your play area. For more information regarding the shade structures, visit https://www.creativesystems.com/shade-structures/

Author: Austin Stanfel

Cancer: a dreadful, alarming word that has the power to run chills down our spine. Hundreds of people suffer from various types of cancer worldwide, and the number is increasing. So, yes, it does make our blood cold to hear that word. After all, people are DYING!

Recently, my dentist asked me to get an OPG, dental X-ray, to find out why I have extreme sensitivity in one of my molars. I had an OPG last year, and for the record, I have also had various spinal x-rays in the past. So I was quite hesitant when I walked into the hospital for my OPG; x-rays are known to cause cancer. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that they can become a cause of cancer.

So with an unsure mindset, I did go through the X-ray. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about the radiation levels, or how much radiation I was exposed to during the X-ray, and most importantly, how does this radiation affect my children?

The radiation levels for adults are not exactly the same as for children. It is not always necessary to make your child go through several X-ray examinations during a short period of time. The graph below demonstrates the amount of radiation that infiltrates the body during various X-rays.

So should we let our children get X-rays? If so, what amount of X-rays can they safely get?

Before we go any further, let’s have a look at the following chart that illustrates the daily radiation exposure.

Source

What do you gather by looking at the above images? Should children be exposed to X-ray radiation? According to research studies, children should not be exposed to X-ray radiation. Why? Because, young bodies are at higher risk of manifesting cancerous cells than mature bodies. In addition, children are naturally more sensitive to radiation than adults. It is safe to say that increased exposure to x-ray radiation can increase the risks of cancer in children.

What if my child needs to get an X-ray?

Most modern X-ray equipment has settings that make it easy to adjust the dosage for children. For that, it is extremely crucial you provide complete health information about the child to the radiologist or whoever is in charge of the procedure. Children absorb radiation every day through various natural and artificial sources. For example, when they play outdoors with commercial playground equipment, they get ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The natural sources of radiation are usually non-ionizing and therefore do not cause the most harm. However, X-ray radiation is ionizing, so you must take extreme safety measures while exposing your child to such radiation. There are also many new commercial playground equipment designs that include built-in shades that protect against 98% of UV rays.

Talk to your child’s paediatrician before the X-ray to ensure that he does not get more than the appropriate dose. See the body exposure charts below to understand radiation exposure through various X-rays.

Here’s body exposure chart 2.

Source

Does your child get X-rays often? Are you aware of all the risks involved with X-ray radiation in children? Do not forget to share your experience and thoughts with us through our comment section below.

Author: Austin Stanfel

Stanford Researchers believe we’re Sending Children to School Too Early

Do you need to send children to school right now or wait for another year? According to a recent study conducted by Stanford University, Danish children who have postponed their kindergarten classes for a year have displayed a dramatic increase in their self-control. Thomas Dee, one of the researchers, said that they have found out that delaying kindergarten for a year reduced hyperactivity and inattention by 73% for a kid aged 11.

But the most shocking but admirable results shown in the process is how the said effect lasted for a longer duration, contrary to what they expected that the impact would soon diminish. In fact, the said impact even increases over time. In addition, the one-year delay even eliminates any chances of having a higher than normal score on inattention and hyperactivity.

Both are traits of ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which weakens a child’s self-control. Prior research has shown an association between a child’s self-control level and their achievements. This seemed to be further proven by the Stanford study where children with lower hyperactivity and inattention ratings tend to have higher scores in terms of school assessment exams.

Early childhood development is indeed significant to the children’s to school future and achievements. This is the phase of remarkable cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. Therefore, providing enough time and guidance for such development makes a significant difference in how the child will grow and be their best self to achieve success.

Though the Stanford research indicates that children who postponed kindergarten for a year have benefited from having greater self-control, the case still varies depending on the education system offered in a specific country. Some do provide a reasonable pre-kindergarten session, while others don’t, making a tremendous difference in the benefit mentioned above.

Early childhood development becomes the basis of personality, intelligence, social behavior, and the ability to learn as well as nurture oneself to becoming mature or adult individuals. Inattention and hyperactivity are just some of the habits formed in childhood which later becomes a non-communicable disease of adulthood.

Both environmental and biological factors affect a child’s behavior and brain development. For example, kids who undergo extreme stress are susceptible to developing behavioral, cognitive, or emotional difficulties. Such impediments can have long-lasting effects on both the readiness and performance of children at school. The effect can even be worse for disadvantaged children, especially those raised in poverty.

The research conducted posed an interesting hypothesis: Does sending children to school pretty late provide more time for development through unstructured play? According to research conducted in developmental psychology, imaginative play has great importance in assisting children’s intellectual and emotional self-control. According to studies conducted, children sent to school late may already have extended exposure to play environments.

Generally, this simply indicates that children should be given more time to play. Only through that will they be able to maximize their growth which is vital to their overall development. Delaying the start of school provides more significant benefits for kids.