A playground promotes physical,
cognitive, social, and emotional development. It encourages physical activity to
develop coordination, balance on dynamic surfaces, and fine/ gross motor
skills. Children also engage in cognitive learning on a playground as they
conceive, organize, and carry out unfamiliar sequences and realize problem and
solution. Playgrounds, furthermore, allow children to work on social skills and
communication as they play. Overtime, a playground will help special needs
children learn how to adapt to the environment around them as they explore a
vast array of sights, sounds, and textures. Their self esteem will also grow as
they overcome challenges while playing.
·
The
obstacles on the playground will provide vestibular (movement) input,
proprioceptive (deep pressure) input, and tactile input (touch) that will help
calm an anxious or upset child and help their emotional development.
·
The
swing set involves balance, eye movement, and body position and will give a
child both vestibular and proprioceptive inputs.
·
The
slides provide the children with a safe way of exploring movement and speed.
Sliding down provides vestibular input and the hard surface provides
propriceptive input. Different types of slides help children develop muscle
tone and cognitive skills such as problem solving.
·
Climbing steps and climbing activities also provide vestibular and
propriceptive input. It also improves balance, coordination, spatial awareness,
and muscle tone as the child works on both fine and gross motor skills.
So, the next time you are trying
to find something fun for you and your child to do, head to the nearest
playground. It is good for them!
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