Play Matters

There’s a running joke in the parenting world that you can buy your child a new, amazing toy but they will subsequently end up playing with the box. Why? Because the toy, say a truck, is just a truck. Whereas

Designing a playground that is accessible and inclusive can feel overwhelming with so many potential situations to consider. Intellectual disabilities don’t often have physical limitations, whereas developmental disabilities typically do. Physical obstructions for somebody in a wheelchair may be a

Physically active children aren’t just healthy children, they’re happy children. Being active helps to foster an active lifestyle and is crucial for both mental and physical development. Exercising regularly can reduce the risk of health conditions such as diabetes and

As discussed in the first part of this article, perceived risk is a necessary part of play when it comes to commercial playground equipment. Without it, children become bored and lack the opportunities to test themselves and grow.

Would you play a game if you knew that the other team would lose every time? The obvious answer is no. None of us would want to do that because there wouldn't be any challenge. What would be the point

In the first part of this article, I covered four of the eight types of intelligences and how they can be improved upon in the playground. In the second part, I will conclude with the remaining four: Musical/Rhythmic – Imagine

A prominent theory in education is Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. Gardner proposed that, rather than intelligence being a single trait that you either have or don’t have, it is instead something composed of 8 factors which we all

Playground equipment has seen much evolution since its inception. The first playgrounds were little more than sand boxes; play spaces for many years featured simple devices such as see-saws, carousels and tall swings. Most people remember playing on modular structures

While we realize that frequent play benefit children with their daily physical activity, it also extends beyond just profiting their youthful bodies. Recently, free-play has been seen to reduce stress, allowing children to focus more intensely on their studies.

Today's parents and caregivers are paying more attention than ever to the choices of activities for their children - not just in structured activities, but more increasingly in free-play. Parents recognize the need to choose wisely and offer their children