Preschool is the place where children get a glimpse of the real world for the first time. They leave the protective shelter of their parents and experience the proximity of strangers. Preschools are designed in such a way that they encourage the child to explore the new environment, learn new things and adjust to the surroundings accordingly.
A preschool is a lively place that is painted with vibrant colors and the playground is filled with cute and varied play equipment. Pupils who get admitted to the preschool need some distractions to take their minds off their parents. Hence, there has to be a wide variety of play equipment. The equipment has to be joyful and engaging, so that the children remain engrossed in them all the time. Since this is the age for learning and development, the preschool playground equipment should be designed such that they stimulate all their senses and through the senses, their thinking process.
Playground Equipment Specifications
Normally, the preschool playground equipment should include swings, slides, mazes, play panels, climbers, spinners and play-structures. Nowadays, playground equipment play panels and play-structures are available, which reduces excess space usage. The playground can have different free-standing components or can have a play-structure. The difference between the two is that a play-structure has swings, slides, maze, etc., attached to each other. The whole thing poses as a single unit, to promote continuous play, whereas the free-standing playground plan includes all the components like slides, swings, etc., located away from each other. Play panels are the larger plastic-board version of the box cardboard games that are played in a group or individually. These are more beneficial for preschool children as it minimizes the risk of them swallowing tiny play parts of the cardboard games. A playground should also employ equipments that render good physical exercises to children, while they are having fun. Playground climbing equipment, like, climbers should be essentially installed to exercise the upper bodies of children, effectively. There should be proper decks, roofs and bridges installed for connecting the playground equipment to each other. This allows the children to move freely and effortlessly from one game to another.
Precautions and Tips for Setting-up the Playground Equipment
The preschool playground equipment should be selected with extra care, as the individuals who handle them are innocent and carefree. The child safety tips to be kept in mind before selecting the equipment are:
- The playground or playroom should be spacious and airy but if enough space is not available, the layout should be planned to let in maximum fresh air and sunlight.
- The equipment should not be very high, as the individuals handling them are 'tiny'.
- Care should be taken to avoid equipment with sharp or cutting edges. Any equipment that has sharp edges should be covered with some suitable material to avoid injuries to the children while playing.
- A temporary awning should be provided to the playground area; it is most required during the rainy season or during summers.
- The quantity of toys should be adequate so that all the pupils get an equal opportunity to enjoy them.
- The toys kept in the playground should preferably be of rubber or plastic, to avoid any accidental injuries or mishaps.
- If the toys consist of dolls, puzzles, etc., care should be taken that none of them have small parts that can be accidentally swallowed by the children. Toys that disassemble into smaller parts should be avoided, instead play panels should be preferred.
- Educational toys can be included in the list. Setting a theme for the playground enhances its look and value.
- Protective gates should be placed wherever necessary, so that the children do not leave the premises on their own.
- Avoid having any water bodies or pits around the playground area.
Wood and plastic playground equipment are safer as compared to any metal equipments, as metal tends to rust easily due to moisture in the air. Also, the probability and extent of getting hurt with plastic playground equipment is lesser.
Each and every preschool playground equipment fulfills the task of exercising the kids' body and mind in some way or the other. Playhouse instruments can be easily set-up in the backyard of your house. Playground equipment for the home are available in kits and can be installed without professional help.
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