Playground Paranoia

What’s there to worry about?

Risky playground behavior. Injuries. Outdated Equipment.

It’s called Playground Paranoia – and it has risen dramatically over the past two decades. This is despite the fact that playground equipment and matting has become safer over the years. We are basically just becoming increasingly fearful for our kids.

 

Is that so wrong?

Of course we worry about our children more – we are more aware of child abductions, injuries on play equipment, and bullying. These all happen and we need to make sure children are supervised to ensure their safety.

What crosses the line into paranoia is when a parent reaches a point to where they command the child’s entire playing experience. We’ve all seen those parents – who won’t let the kid go down the tall slide, who won’t let the kid go into a sandbox to play, who constantly direct the child rather than leave them be.

 

The risks of physical injuries

A study from the National Program for Playground Safety states that 67% of playground injuries that occurred between 2001-‘08 and “involved falls or equipment failure”. It is imperative that the playground equipment is in good working condition, and has been properly maintained.

Outdated playground equipment can be dangerous. Even if a parent is supervising their child, a loose piece can cause any unexpected injury.

 

Is it the design of the equipment that is to blame?

The answer to this question is highly debatable. Nearly all tall jungle gyms and merry-go-rounds have disappeared from playgrounds in the United States. What sparked the real change? People became fearful of lawsuits.

We are producing playgrounds that are fool-proof. Not only that, the decreased risks may even be hindering a child’s growth in unexpected ways.

 

That’s ridiculous!

Is it really ridiculous though?  Almost everyone has overcome a fear or two on a playground. It’s not just about trying to have fun. Children learn by pushing their limits and seeing what they are able to do. They go up to the highest slide to see if it’s really as scary as it looks.

Even when children do experience a playground fall, it rarely causes more than just physical damage. More anxiety would be caused by fearing the playground in the first place than by experiencing a minor accident.

 

What can we do about Playground Paranoia?

Overcome it! It’s important to let our kids experience their childhood without us talking in their ears the whole time. The mind can grow with encountering risks every now and then.

A child’s confidence and self-esteem can grow with facing fears on a playground. We are also relieving ourselves of the constant cycle of paranoia. There are dangers in life, but we have to learn to set those aside to get ahead.

 

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What Are Jumping Pillows?

Jumping Pillows: Amazing Fun!

Jumping Pillows are similar to trampolines – but are safer and can hold more people. Not only that, but they can provide a safe fitness activity that keeps your heart rate up.

Some children want to bounce for hours with other kids! Have you ever wanted to just bounce and bounce? It’s fun and as a matter of fact parents can jump too! These colorful inflatable pillows offer a one of a kind experience to just jump around and be silly with your family.

 

What exactly is a Jumping Pillow?

The Jumping Pillow is a huge inflatable pillow on the ground surrounded by sand that you can play on until you can’t jump any longer. It is permanently mounded at its site, is tough and not easily damaged.

They are made from a special material which is able to withstand any weather without needing a protective cover! Any weather is fine – from hot weather to well below freezing.

Jumping Pillows are best situated 3m away from any surrounding walls or structures, to prevent injury. The inflation is kept up by a small, nearby fan in a box.

 

How are they maintained?

Before getting started, it is good to consider the fact that when a Jumping Pillow isn’t installed by professionals that usually voids any warranties that it may have. Check with your vendor! Also, if it gets a hole or tear that’s not too big it is easy to repair.

The continual maintenance would involve cleaning the pillow before use and raking the surrounding sand to make sure it will be safe to play on.  Jumping Pillows should be surrounded by fencing to ensure safety as well. The pillows should be covered when not in use to avoid sun damage and normal wear and tear to the material.

 

Just Imagine!

Imagine your kids occupied all day long doing something that will enrich their lives (and leave them tired too!). Even kids who are unfit or overweight have fun joining in – and it’s still safe. Parents can relax knowing their kids are having a great time.

 

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Sun Shading At Parks

 

What makes a park a good park?

One important structure at a “good” park is the sun shading. A park can set itself aside from others in terms of comfort, safety and appearance that cannot be substituted with other items.  

In the summer, the sun blazes down on playgrounds so harshly that people just don’t want to go there if there is no shading. Does your park have sufficient shading?

                                                      

The importance of adequate shading

Sun shade structures are improving alongside technology and material enhancements. They are more creatively planned and come in almost any form imaginable.

Shading can be added to existing playgrounds and can create an aesthetic improvement at your park. Structures can be used over benches as well to shield parents while they watch their children.

As the temperature increases during summertime, the play structure materials get very hot and can burn the kids who are trying to play. Future skin cancer can be prevented by minimizing the effects of UV rays to the body.

How can kids combat these issues and still be able to go outside in hot weather? With adequate shade! The correct type of shade fabric can improve shade systems to cool down playgrounds up to 20 degrees. Wow! That can be the difference of staying inside all day or going out to have fun.

 

Starting a shade project

Planning the shade project for your park involves taking several key steps. Which material will be used? There are fabric, umbrella or steel shelters to name a few.

Will the material need to be waterproof? This could come in handy – in addition to minimizing sun exposure. Who will be installing the structure? You will want to make sure the money is well spent.

 

Creating a comfortable atmosphere for the whole family!

A great playground that is set aside from the rest is a place with simple extras. It allows families to be outside playing longer. Shade structures are about as important as drinking fountains for kids – and parents. They should be safe and clean for kids, with all the equipment in working condition.

Playgrounds should be used more often. They are a place where people can go out and be reminded of places where people can have fun without relying upon technology.

 

Make it shady!

The more inviting the playground, the more families will be out creating a stronger community with one another. Playgrounds with shading get more use and are a better place for families to enjoy one another.

 

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The Play Shortage

The children these days seem to be deprived of the flexibility to play. When are they allowed to run outside and play with the others? People play to learn and to connect with each other. They learn useful problem solving skills as well as endurance.

The communication skills a child learns on a playground can change the outlook of their entire life. Play is a crucial learning tool for kids and is essential for their physical and mental development. Taking turns on a swing set, learning that four kids don’t fit well going down a slide or building castles together in a sand box are memories each child deserves to have with commercial playground equipment.

Can you think of a time you wished someone had better communication skills? As play structures are becoming more creative and unique, there are also a waning number of children who are brought out.

Parents are relying upon educational facilities more often these days although the system is weakening. It’s easy to blame schools, but who has the real power over the lives of the children? 

Parents are the overall enforcers of their kids’ lives. The time has come for us to loosen our fears for our kids and let them be their selves. The general lack of play in our society is all around and it is up to us to change it.

We all know what a kid would rather be doing right now – so just take them by the hand and lead them there! Whether it’s to your local playground or waterpark, your child will be thankful to be outside having fun. You will be impressed with what your child is capable of and how their personality comes out!  

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Five Ways to Calm Childhood Stress

Children should be excited about life and towards learning throughout their childhood. Sadly, stress levels are increasing among our country’s youngest population. There are recent concerns of pediatric health-care professionals and child advocates that those growing stress levels among children could create serious issues for them in their futures. A common concern of teachers is that energy levels among children are decreasing and stress might be to blame. It is becoming important for parents get involved in improving this trend for the sake of happiness and health for their kids. Keep an eye out for any signs of stress. If your child seems to be acting out, take a personal inventory for them of their own stress. 1. Assess your children’s schedules. If they complain of feeling overwhelmed – they might just be! Lighten up the activities they are already involved with and keep it fun. This is the best way to keep their interest. If they play sports, allow them to enjoy it as long as possible before the competitiveness takes over. 2. Bring your children outside so they can play! This simple stress reliever has been declining in the past few decades – but is still a vital way for children to let the steam off. Playgrounds are evolving with new structures such as jumping pillows and themed systems. 3. Prevent your personal stress from affecting your kids. Why have them worry with you? If nothing else, your children will still be able to rub off their enthusiasm on you. 4. Create unstructured time to spend with your children. These days it is getting harder to just spend regular time with kids to connect. It is a great time for them to share fears, frustrations or concerns. 5. Celebrate the kids in your life and encourage them to express themselves. Childhood is a precious time in a person’s life, and it is a parental responsibility to make that period of life as amazing as possible. As parents, we care about the future of our little ones. We wish them to be happy, healthy and successful adults. To achieve this, let’s all put an effort in to calming the kids of the future. http://creativesystems.com/ http://www.squidoo.com/creativesystems

Kindergarten Play Time

What had been at one time additional to Kindergarten classes in our country has now changed to “scheduled study hours”. The designed courses are intended to boost test scores and meet certain educational requirements. It is a growing trend for schools to throw out recess for more classroom time. According to non-partisan parents, the institutions idea to lean more towards academics will someday help us prepare our kids to compete in the Global economy. But is taking away recess and play time really the answer? “Learning how to take turns, negotiate, think creatively and problem solve are just some of the skills children learn through play,” said Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education. Any play-based program enables small children to develop to be actively involved around his or her learning process. Priceless problem solving skills as well as general awareness tend to be discovered through play. Today’s Kindergarten students will be twice as delayed from unrealistic school goals meant to improve the quality of college students. While also being denied free periods help relieve stress and blow off steam. This double impairment seems to have to an increase with tempers not to mention lack of ambitious behavior with kids. Children who were involved in the “play-based early learning system” scored better on exams and performed better with instructional math compared with those youngsters just who joined the more academic beginning learning middle. If ever your kids ruin the living room to build a fort in the future, try to forget about it. You might just be supporting their development for a lifetime of learning. http://www.creativesystems.com http://creativesystemsinc.xanga.com/weblog

Independent Play by Xccent

Play in Motion...

Motion play equipment with cutting edge designs will make your playground an experience no child will forget. Xccent has achieved a new level of spinning, rocking, bouncing and climbing that will test the physical abilities and energy levels of every child. Xccent's advanced Playmotion® Technology has been put to the test and passes with flying colors as all children have come back to play again and again. Even on the smallest of budgets you can still have the biggest fun factor with Xccent.

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California Park and Rec Show 2012

The premier regional park & recreation conference & expo in the U.S. return to Long Beach, California, March 20-23, 2012. Become empowered in the top-notch education programs, engage with commercial playground equipment professionals and explore the largest regional expo hall in the U.S.