Living & Learning
The 6 Best Parks and Playgrounds for Seniors
Jared Diamond, an American scientist known for popular science books, such as Guns, Germs, and Steel and The World Until Yesterday, gave an interesting 2013 TedTalk concerning the wide differences in how societies regard senior citizens. As he mentions in the talk, one way these differences are manifest is in filial…
Creating Intergenerational Public Spaces
A Place and Space for All Benefits Everyone Many are well aware that intergenerational interactions create enriching experiences for all involved. With the incorporation of design elements that effectively encourage an active involvement from the many adults in a child’s life, a play area’s overall value and ability to promote strong…
Children Want and Need Movement
To Develop Mind and Body, You Have to Move “Since it is through movement that the will realizes itself, we should assist a child in his attempts to put his will into act.”– Maria Montessori (source) A child’s natural approach to learning about their world involves playful movement. We learn…
Integrating Music with Playscapes
Complementary Benefits Makes Adding Musical Elements to Playgrounds a Truly Smart Idea Play and music already share a vocabulary. A self-contained part of a musical composition is called a, ‘movement.’ It is common for sportscasters to describe an athlete or team as, ‘getting into rhythm.’ The laughter that emits from…
5 Great Winter Playgrounds for Cold Weather Fun
Bundle Up and Head Outside for Some of the Best Playgrounds to Visit During Winter Fuzzy socks, hot cocoa, oversized hoodies, a good book or two – the cold winter months seem almost custom-built to encourage all of us to stay indoors. However, it also never seems to…
Our Top 5 Playground Related Blogs
Image via Goric A Small Collection of Resources on the Importance of Quality Playground Equipment and Design One of the more wonderful aspects of play is how it can foster a sense of community. It is no accident that many of our first friendships were formed while using playground equipment. And just on…
Enjoying the Fun of Winter’s Many Playgrounds
The Snowy Season Transforms Playscapes, but There is Still Fun to be Had Winter is definitely here. Parts of the midwest and the Great Lakes region recently saw a foot of snow quickly accumulate, and a low pressure system from the North caused the accompanying temperature to plunge…
The Playful Truth – Office Slides Contribute to a Productive Work Environment
For These Offices, Playground Equipment is not Just for Kids The connection between play and productivity is well established. The dopamine produced by our brains during play activities is a powerful motivator. The effects of which last far beyond the initial period of play and positively impact a person’s approach…
Play to Learn, The Importance of Recess in Education
As Children Return to School, A Reminder that Daily Play Makes a Measurable Difference Since the early days of one-room school houses, recess has been an important part of education. In those early times, there was often an informal period of play before and after school, in addition to…
Playground Equipment Beats Obesity
A Focus on Solutions During National Childhood Obesity Month According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one out of every three children are overweight or obese in America today. A full third of our country’s children are at significant risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes,…
Honoring Play Enthusiasts: Friedrich Froebel, Gift Play
Friedrich Froebel is the “father” of the kindergarten concept. Froebel studied the natural sciences as well as architecture and had a profound understanding of the interconnectedness between the two disciplines. Under the direction of Anton Gruener, headmaster of the Pestalozzian Frankfurt Model School and in reflection of the teachings of Johann…
Designing Your Playground to Encourage Movement by JC Boushh
The modern playground provides children with numerous opportunities and developmental benefits. These benefits include social, emotional, physical, and cognitive opportunities that are related to providing children with play components to climb, slide, and various opportunities for varied forms of movement. As safety concerns grow, fear of litigation, and safety zones…
