Think of all the things you learned on the playground. Waiting your turn. Trying something new. Getting back up again.
The purpose of the playground really hasn’t changed; what has changed is our ability to prove just how important the playground is for early childhood development!
“Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs.” -James L. Hymes Jr.
A person’s overall well-being and success can be tied to their social and emotional skills. Educators and community leaders can help foster self-awareness, relationship skills and responsibility by providing the spaces and scenarios for kids to participate in social and emotional learning (SEL).
The Facts About Playgrounds and Social and Emotional Learning
Play strengthens the mind as much as the body! The playground is the setting for building social competency, emotional stability and success. Dr. Stuart Brown points out the role of play in developing resilience. Through animal research, we know that play develops stress management, emotional regulation, social cooperation and much more. For more on this topic, read The Science of Play: How Play Helps Us Develop Resilience.
We recently dialed into a PlayCore Research Institute webinar that provided an in-depth look at a project called PLAYground (Play and Learning Activities for Youth) in Mesa, Arizona. This comprehensive research trial examined the effectiveness of the PlayOn!® playground curriculum.
Researchers Dr. Pamela Hodges Kulinna and Allison Poulos used a survey to assess enjoyment, knowledge, self efficacy, social responsibility and personal relationships among the young participants. They discovered:
- Personal responsibility was significantly associated with enjoyment
- Students reported feeling proud of themselves for overcoming self doubt
- Anecdotes included students cheering on their peers
How to Use Curriculum on the Playground to Foster SEL
A great curriculum is only as good as its implementation. Through the Mesa case study, we learned that ongoing staff training and support was essential for success. Provide a mechanism for staff to provide feedback and ask questions as they implement.
Of course, it’s important to start with a solid, proven program. Play On! is research-based curriculum with more than 100 age-appropriate activities that can foster SEL growth as well as physical fitness. It’s designed to be effective and simple, and 90 percent of teachers say the curriculum increased playground use AND that they would use it in the future.
To get started, you can request a Play On! Summary Publication, find a Play On! National Demonstration Site and more through the PlayCore website.
Creating a Playground That Excites Children and the Community
At DWA Recreation, our team includes designers, artists, and engineers that have a hand in creating safe, engaging and inclusive playgrounds for schools as well as other settings. Our favorite projects tell a story about a community’s heritage and culture, incorporate our clients’ vision and are enjoyed by generations to come. Contact us to get started with your next playground or park project.
Natasha Klosterman joined DWA Recreation in April 2023. Natasha’s creativity and flair for design are essential to her work as a project manager and marketer.
