The playground may be where a child first experiences limited freedom. They're free to wander through the playground equipment as they please, meeting new people and experiencing new environments. The value of playgrounds for children young and old cannot be overstated, and the commercial playground industry is booming. The ability of a child to play allows them to flex their creativity, learn on their own terms in a freeform environment instead of a classroom, build relationships without their parents stepping in to manage them, and, of course, exercise and use their boundless energy to instill a love of active play for the rest of their lives. Playgrounds in our parks and schools represent an opportunity for a child to have fun on their own terms, turning the structures into a castle that they rule, an ancient ruin they're exploring, or an evil villain's lair they're invading. These structures are what we entrust our children to, and we have to trust that they're safe. However, a parent must also make sure that their child knows how to play safely; a playground can only be so safe without our community working to keep it that way.
The resources below will help both commercial manufacturers and parents keep children safe and happy while playing on playground equipment. Organizations have been provided that have resources for playgrounds, help you locate the nearest one or have one created, or help professionals make networking contacts with other professionals in this industry. Numerous resources on playground safety are provided, from checklists to ensure that your local park is safe to tips to pass on to your children to keep them from hurting themselves while they're enjoying themselves on well-built equipment. There are also resources with general information such as the history of playgrounds in the United States, the value of play as a tool for the development of children, and the importance of accessibility for playgrounds. For example, loose sand on playgrounds is not accessible for children in wheelchairs, who also need to be active and play just like any other children need to do. These considerations make the playground an engaging and fun environment for every child, so they can play and have a good time while they grow.
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
