Article Link: http://www.exchangepress.com/article/give-children-a-place-to-explore-guides-for-preschool-playground-design/5013880/
Have you ever noticed that when children play indoors they needlots of props to keep them busy: toys, paints, books, etc. . . .
but when you take them outdoors they need very little. Have you
ever asked yourself why? It's because the outdoors is so rich in
sensory experience; the warmth of the sun on a winter day, the
feel of the early spring wind as it caresses your face, the smell
of a flower in the summer, the sound of migrating birds in the
fall, the feeling of the earth beneath your hands. The outdoors
is also rich in opportunity; letting your body do anything it
wants, letting your voice do anything it wants, and just doing
anything you want.
The goal of good playground design is to create a space where
children can explore themselves and their world with as few rules
and as little adult intervention as possible. There's an old
saying about good developmental education which applies
beautifully to playgrounds: "Provide freedom with a fence around
it."
Evaluation of Existing Conditions
If your program is year round you will want to plan for summer
time outdoor activities. If your program is twelve hours a day
you may ...