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Play is a crucial factor in the overall well-being of children. But play in many communities, schools, and families has been pushed to the back burner. Fewer kids spend time every day at a park or playground, recess is disappearing from curriculums, and playgrounds are missing from community and neighborhood development plans. Through the Playmaker Network and the Playful City USA Campaign, the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play seeks to make play a priority in communities across the nation. More...
Playful City USA: Become nationally recognized
KaBOOM! believes you have the power to rally an entire city to become playful. With our new program, communities across the nation can now be recognized for their efforts. More...		 Playmaker Network: Advocate for play
Join the Playmaker Network, a national network of local and national advocates who are champions for promoting the importance of play. Learn how to take action in your community! More...
     
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 New playground
 
imgOfflineoutdoorlearning
1 posts
Joined
4/1/2008
New playground
Posted: 01 Apr 08 7:15 PM
 Do you know that over 80% of the children attending child care never spend more that 1 hour a day outside?  That includes walking from the car and recess.  How can our next generation lead the people to save our planet if they know nothing about it?  In Europe they have had a outdoor learning environment plan for the past 10 years.  But here we still have red slides, purple roofs and mindless tic-tac-tow or puzzle play panels.  The children go out to play only for the staff's smoke break.  It's time for a change.  Here in the states we have been working on the ( OLE ) Out door Learning Environment.  It includes tools, equipment, curriculum and all necessary components to train staff to teach the children about nature in a natural environment.  I have been in the commercial playground business for over 15 years and saw that in a OLE playground the children will learn at there own pace as well as teach themselves.  Look at any standard playground at ant given time.  The children will not be on the large play system, after a wile it's gets boring.  The children will dig in the dirt, separate into small groups, play with sticks and want to be with any staff member that's active.  That's the OLE.  It's simple, effective and the right thing to do.  Kaboom has a good start but the wrong vendor.
imgOfflinedflanigan
18 posts
Joined
11/8/2006


Re: New playground
Posted: 02 Apr 08 5:37 PM

As a parent, I know that my kids like to dig around in the dirt and hug the trees that around the playground.   Being able to explore the natural world is very important and it is unfortunate that many kids do not have that experience growing up.  I think thought there are some great opportunties to integrate nature into the overall playspace so that the kids can have the opportunity to explore the dirt and worms and smell the flowers but I do think there is place for structural equipment.  The equipment is designed for risk taking, development of upper body strength and adventure among many other positive experiences.  I believe that there can be both nature and equipment together.  KaBOOM! projects all have fun and creative equipment and wherever possible, natural elements are added.  It is also important that whenever natural elements are added, it is done sustainably so that after the trees or plants are planted, they are well maintained. 

There is another thread that I started at http://www.kaboom.org/OnlineCommunity/Forumsnbsp/tabid/58/forumid/202/threadid/3929/scope/posts/Default.aspx

I would love to learn more about OLE.  Is there a website?
imgOfflinemariak
13 posts
Joined
5/14/2007
Re: New playground
Posted: 02 Apr 08 5:41 PM
I don't know. I certainly see your point, but the kids I know are pretty creative. It doesn't matter what they are playing on (or with), they use their imaginations to make it into a pirate ship (thank you Johnny Depp) or magical sword or castle or something. They'll get bored, sure. I wonder, though, if that has more to do with them just getting older. What appeals to a 10-year-old is different than what appeals to a 6-year-old. Maybe the problem has more to do with not enough variety of things to do that recognizes how kids change as they get older.
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