Playgrounds: Playgrounds and benefits

Playgrounds are play and recreation areas where children can be free to run, jump and climb different places. They have a number of elements that make these games much more entertaining, while helping them learn and develop appropriately for life.

In general, there is no particular type of park, that is, a single format for parks, although they do have some common elements such as slides, swings and climbing areas.

Similarly, among the different designs, safety measures can also stand out, such as the placement of artificial grass, rubber flooring or Eva rubber, among other components that are important to take into account to avoid serious injuries if falls or trips occur.

Likewise, we can find indoor and outdoor playgrounds, each one with its specific characteristics depending on its location and amount of use.

With all this in mind, we will go on to learn a little more about playgrounds.

Elements of a playground

As we have mentioned before, playgrounds are much more than just fun areas, as they also help children to acquire knowledge and develop through play.

Some of the most representative elements of playgrounds are:

• Slides: These are sliding pieces that are placed at a specific angle to help children fall or objects that are placed on their surface. They can be found in different formats, with textures or smooth, plastic or metal, although most have bright colors.
• Swings: They can be made of tires, plastic or wood, tied with chains or resistant ropes. Their structure must have stability and strength, since children will rock on them.
• Roulette: It is one of the classics of outdoor playgrounds. Roulette often features bright colors and bars to hold on while the wheel spins. It can be made of wood or metal, maintaining a fortified support.
• Tubes: A favorite for children’s imaginary adventures. They can be with holes to look outside or without them. They are usually made of plastic and many of them include different textures to prevent falls.
• Stairs or areas to climb. Children always want to be on the move, so stairs and climbing areas are a way to keep them entertained non-stop. They can be made of plastic or wood, and it is not recommended to have metal structures outside, because they get very hot in the sun.

These elements with a few additions here or there are what bring playgrounds to life and invite children to play nonstop.

Benefits of playgrounds

Enjoying a good afternoon in the park with your child is not only a great way to spend time with him, but it also provides benefits that can affect the way he relates and develops in general.

For starters, it helps you socialize better as you make new friends to play with and communicate with them much more smoothly. Also, the outdoors can have positive effects on the development of your bone system, allowing it to grow healthier.

Similarly, several scientific studies have shown how games in the park influence children in terms of their motor, social and brain development, reporting various benefits such as:

better body control

Children develop their motor skills until they are approximately 5 years old, which helps them to carry out increasingly complex activities such as holding a pencil and writing or tying their shoelaces.

Playgrounds improve these functions thanks to the repetitive actions that must be carried out to play in them. In this way, it allows your child to acquire the strength and dexterity of various important muscle groups to perform these activities.

Self confidence

The games in playgrounds improve the capacities of the infant, which has a direct impact on the security he has about his actions, making him much safer, positively impacting his self-esteem and helping him establish his “independence”.

Social interaction

Your child may not be very sociable due to not having anyone to play with at home, so it is best to take him to places where he can meet new children and build relationships.

For this, nothing like going to a playground. In them, your child will meet new friends, since they will dedicate themselves to playing with each other and communicating openly and without problems.

However, you should not worry if the little one decides to play by himself, with time and repeated visits to the park he will begin to open up and enjoy group play.

To encourage his socialization you could start taking him to the same park at the same time, so there is the possibility that he will meet some children repeatedly, which will make him feel more comfortable to socialize with them.

Don’t push it, let it be something that happens naturally.

Language development

Negotiating between children needs them to be able to communicate effectively, so this will help your child improve their language development. However, if he’s still struggling at this point, you can try teaching him some phrases that will come in handy at the park.

promotes health

Exercising is a foolproof way to keep your little one healthy. Likewise, being outdoors improves bone development, since exposure to the sun contributes to the synthesis of vitamin D, necessary for much stronger bones. On the other hand, it also encourages your appetite and makes it easier for you to sleep.

Learning through games

Children learn everything more easily through play, so the benefits of taking your child to the park can be endless. Do not hesitate and enjoy a special day with him.