We have all heard the proverb: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. The psychology behind this phrase is as fresh as when it first appeared, which is reported to have been in the mid-17th century.
Without play time and having a break off from work, individuals tend to lose their sense of curiosity and spontaneity and become uninteresting and lackluster.
Pediatricians wholeheartedly agree with this proverb, too. They completely endorse the importance of play, and the benefits of play. These benefits include brain development, physical skills and fostering creativity and imagination, just to name a few. Perhaps this explains why, over 130 years ago in Boston, the first public playground in the U.S. was built.
Fast forward to today, and all of a sudden you or someone you know are in the position to help create a playground in your community. Where do you start? How do you organize and design a playground? Where can you find playground equipment for sale? Here are a few things to consider as you create a playground.
Check for a Good Design
Where is your playground? For example, is it in a church playground, a daycare playground or a themed playground? Look at designs that reflect the theme of your location. And take the elements into account, too. When you look for playground equipment for sale, will it be in use by the children year-round?
Check for a Safe Design
Does your playground have an outdoor theme? Will it have a playground climbing wall, for instance? Be sure and find out about all safety codes and regulations in the area.
Check for Available Funding
Find out where there are monies available to help pay for your playground. Contact a professional who can tell you how to go about writing a grant to get free playground equipment.
Check for Donations
Spread the word in every way possible about your playground. And don’t be shy about asking for donations and free things! Instead of asking where you can find playground equipment for sale, ask who will be the donor of playground equipment for your project. After all, it is all for the children.
To sum up, it is know to be a fact that playtime is an important part of the development of a child’s overall health. Having a playground to play in opens the doors of a child’s mind to interacting with the world around them. City playgrounds are fantastic; for example there are 300 playgrounds located in the public parks of Chicago.
To quote the great Michael Jordan: “Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” Wise words to make one smile, indeed, no matter what your age!
