As a principal, teacher, or member of your school board, you play an important role in advocating for the needs of local schoolchildren. Ensuring kids have safe spaces to play, socialize, and develop is one of your most imperative responsibilities. Whether you’re getting ready to start school in a newly constructed building or an older one, take time to inspect the playground. If you don’t know what to look for, begin by analyzing the surface material. Has it been updated or replenished lately, and does it provide a safe cushion for accidental falls?
Walk around the playground equipment to make sure it’s free from cracks, breakages, and rust. You should also make sure the equipment supports the developmental needs of your schoolchildren. If it doesn’t, it’s probably time for a renovation. Here are five essential playground equipment pieces every school should have, and why.
1. Swings
No playground is complete without at least one set of swings. Many children prefer swinging over other playground activities because it’s fun, exciting, and gives them some private space to enjoy. But the benefits of swings can keep parents happy too. Swing sets help children develop strength, coordination, rhythm, and balance. Kids must learn how to hold on tight and pump their legs in a rhythmic motion to keep the swing moving.
In addition to all of these benefits, swinging can also be a soothing and relaxing activity. It may help ease the stress some kids experience at school. It can also be a calming activity for children with sensory needs. Since only one child can be on a swing at a time, swing sets can even be used to teach the importance of taking turns.
2. Monkey Bars
Monkey bars are simple in design, but they allow for hours of unstructured play and entertainment. Many young children see monkey bars as scary obstacles and may avoid them at first. However, as they overcome their fears and learn to conquer the monkey bars, they develop a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem. Being able to navigate the monkey bars is often considered a rite of passage in elementary school.
Monkey bars help young ones develop perseverance by teaching them to get back up and try again after falling down. They also help develop upper body strength as well as physical and mental endurance. For even more physical benefits, playing on this challenging piece of playground equipment can lengthen the spine and may improve posture. To reduce injury risk, make sure the surface material underneath the monkey bars is soft enough to adequately cushion falls. Mulch, rubber mats, or engineered wood fibers are common materials that help absorb impact and provide a safer landing area for children.
3. Slides
Slides are often the most beloved and popular playground structures. They’re fun, exciting, and encourage risk-taking in a safe, monitored environment. Children learn how to overcome their fears and take calculated risks each time they go down a slide. As they conquer their fears and go down slides that seem scary at first, they develop increased self-confidence. They also learn that it can be fun to push themselves outside of their comfort zone, which is essential for learning.
Slides are great for the playground because they also reinforce the importance of taking turns and developing patience. They also promote healthy development of the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance during motion. A child’s vestibular system is activated every time they engage in outdoor play activities such as going down a slide. Regular activation of this system helps it develop and function efficiently.
4. Climbing Structures
Climbing is important for optimal childhood development. It engages multiple areas of the brain at once and improves hand-eye coordination. Like many of the other activities mentioned here, climbing encourages safe risk-taking. Climbing structures also help young ones build problem-solving skills as they navigate various available routes.
Climbing structures can also encourage children to use their imaginations. They may pretend they’re pirates climbing onto a ship or rock climbers traversing Mount Everest. Children who regularly navigate such structures benefit from improved agility and balance. They also develop improved directional and spatial awareness.
5. Balance Beams
If your playground doesn’t currently have one or more balance beams, consider installing some. Balance beams are simple, yet fundamental pieces of playground equipment. They can be wavy or straight and are typically raised just inches off the ground. Children develop physical control and mental focus while navigating balance beams. They also learn perseverance when they get back on the beam after falling off.
Balance beams feel exciting and risky, but they’re quite safe when installed low to the ground. They’re appropriate for children of various ages and skill sets. Walking across balance beams is a high-reward activity that encourages children to test their physical limits in a controlled environment. Kids who play on balance beams may have an easier time engaging in sports that require good balance and coordination later on in life.
Childhood play is so much more than just an opportunity for fun and entertainment. It’s essential for proper social, physical, and emotional growth. Children who engage in daily play learn how to be more coordinated, resilient, and confident. They also learn how to take turns and interact cooperatively with others. If your school’s playground is currently too outdated or small, consider renovating it and adding these essential pieces of playground equipment.
