Playground Equipment For Preschoolers
Playgrounds at Daycare Centers Have Long Lasting Benefits
Playgrounds at daycare centers are, of course, great entertainment for children. Most children’s eyes light up when they see a brightly colored slide, a shiny swing set, or a big rubber tire swing. Playgrounds are fantastic sources of activity for recess and for after-school playtime. They don’t require any planning for activity time, and a one-time purchase covers almost all costs (except perhaps occasional maintenance). And of course, as stated above, they’re fun! But they have other benefits as well.
First, they promote physical fitness. Inspiring a love of physical activity and outdoor time at an early age is key to providing children with healthy habits for life. Equipment like jungle gyms, slides, swing sets, and tire swings all require aerobic exercise. They also build muscle. This activity helps keep children healthy and discourage problems like childhood obesity. Inside, solo play usually entails much less physical activity. This does not allow children to burn many calories, which can help cause weight gain. A playground makes being active fun and helps burn enough calories to keep them fit and out of the risks of type II diabetes and other health complications arising from obesity and lack of exercise.
Playgrounds have additional perks as well. They also help teach social skills from an early age. The community aspect of playgrounds requires sharing of equipment. This teaches children the importance of paying attention to the needs of others. It also shows them the benefits of collaboration, when they can combine their toys, such as trading tools in a sandbox. And, it helps them see how they fit into a greater community. When one child tries to take over the monkey bars for just himself, for instance, he sees directly how it affects everyone else on the playground. Therefore, he can see himself operating in a system greater than himself. Giving children these lessons early in life will give them essential skills that they can later apply to business, advanced schooling, social organizations, relationships, and beyond.
Additionally, playgrounds facilitate new friendships. Playgrounds are a place where all the children in daycare can come together and enjoy themselves. Everyone gets a chance to have fun and use the equipment. Having all of them together, with the joint purpose of enjoying the playground, gives children experience in dealing with large groups. It helps them make new friends more easily. And, being exposed to so many children helps make them more tolerant, versus solo playtime. This will lead to ease in broadening their social circle and decreased shyness, which will be a lifelong benefit in many areas of their lives. And of course, they help tire out hyper children – giving parents and caretakers a much-needed break!
Playgrounds provide children with an outlet for their excess energy. The ability to run, jump, climb, swing, slide, and more helps them expend it in a positive, productive way. This way, when recess is over, they will be more calm, response, cooperative, and patient during the rest of the day.
About the Author
Kris Starliper writes about the advantages a
playground
provides to children at a daycare.
Swedish children must be very happy
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Step2 All Star Sports Climber $74.97 The Step2 All-Star Sports Climber is designed to keep children active with shooting, passing, climbing and kicking play in one unit. Activities featured include basketball hoop, rock wall, football toss, soccer goal and slide. Kids can keep score with the built-in scorekeeper under the basketball hoop and a junior-sized inflatable football, soccer ball and basketball are included. Rock wall provid… |
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Pacific Play Tents Playchute 10′ Parachute (Colors and Designs May Vary) $17.20 Use this rainbow-colored Playchute for a multitude of activities. It’s sure to inspire young imaginations as they invent a hundred different games and activities for the Playchute. Or you can even use it as a ground cover for other outdoor activities. It features handles spaced evenly around the perimeter for little hands to grasp. Encouraging non-competitive play, it’s ideal for outdoor group act… |
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Little Tikes Endless Adventures Easystore Jr. Play Slide $49.99 When this slide is open, toddlers will play and slide all day. When it’s closed, it folds down without tools for compact storage and moving away. Take it on trips, to the campground, or even use it indoors when the sun isn’t shining. And the “Backyard Naturals” colors are fun for kids, yet blend in well with the backyard setting. Measures 23″H x 18″W x 39″D…. |