The US Play Coalition released a study that suggests the physical, cognitive, social and emotional benefits of recess is closely tied to the quality of the school playground equipment. Creating school playgrounds in Georgia and Florida is essential to enhancing problem-solving skills and facilitating conflict resolution. Schools in Georgia and Florida are exploring student-based budgeting and asking "how much does school playground equipment cost?"
The more important question is, "what does it cost students to not have a playground?"
A properly designed and programmed school playground helps students perform better academically. It reduces the amount of time teachers spend dealing with poor student behavior. Here are five ways you can make your school playground equipment an essential part of every student's success.
1. School Playground Equipment Promotes Physical Activity
More than 1/4 of school age children in Georgia and Florida are considered overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 15% of students in both states are categorized as obese. This is a health emergency that can be remedied, in part, with regular physical activity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics shared results of a study that shows recess provides cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits. To help reverse the trend of overweight and obese students in Georgia and Florida, it's essential to have school playgrounds that provide a place where students can receive the recommended 30 minutes of activity per day.
2. Design a School Playground for Every Student
You can design any playground to be inclusive for all students. Adaptive swings for children who need additional support are affordable and easy to install in place of typical swings. Add freestanding play activities at ground level that are fun and engaging for students of all abilities. You can make any school playground more inclusive with a little planning.
3. Make Your School Playground a Community Gathering Place
Many Georgia and Florida communities allow families to use the school playground outside of school hours, on weekends, and during holidays. If you are able to provide this service, you will give students a place to gain more physical activity in a fun environment year-round.
4. Maintain Your School Playground
Experts estimate the majority of playground-related injuries are related to neglected or improper maintenance of playground equipment. Perform routine maintenance on all school playground equipment. We provide a free maintenance guide you can download to make sure your school playground is in top shape.
5. Work With School Play Experts
One way to make sure your school playground benefits all students is to work with playground experts who understand the importance of school playgrounds. Dominica Recreation Products GameTime's designs and installs playground equipment for schools across Georgia and Florida. We use the latest research to create play spaces that help children perform better in school.
We can help you select the right play elements that encourage social interaction, enhance problem-solving skills and conflict resolution, and empower students to gain greater self confidence and self-control.
Active Students Learn Better
School playground equipment plays a vital role in the development of a child. It helps students release energy and take a mental break during the day. Science shows students who engage in physical play each day have fewer behavioral problems in class, perform better on tests, and have better academic records.
Design a school playground to meet the needs of all your students. Open it up to the community, if possible, so everyone can realize its benefits year-round, and make sure you have a plan to maintain the equipment to keep it functioning the right way. A school playground can be a lot of fun, but it is also an essential component in the social and academic success of all students.
To learn more about school playgrounds, contact your local DRP play expert in your community.
