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PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN TRAINING The two-day Playground Maintenance Technician Training focuses on practical playground maintenance activities, inspection principles and best practices in making repairs. This program does not focus on play theory or memorizing standards.
Participant Benefits
• Learn about materials! Learn how to maintain playground equipment made of metal, plastic, wood and concrete • Learn about safety! Understand how to take damaged equipment out of service safely, keep proper records, and identify potential legal issues related to playground maintenance • Learn about surfaces! Learn how best to maintain unitary and loose-fill surfaces as well as fasteners and connectors • Cost effective! Train front-line maintenance staff at an affordable price • Ensure your equipment lasts through its useful life! Improve playground user safety and prolong the useful life of equipment
Upcoming Playground Maintenance Technician Programs • September 9-10, 2020: Glenwood Springs, C0 (CIRSA members only) • September 21-22, 2020: Wheeling, WV – Oglebay National Training Center • September 23-24, 2020: Gunnison, C0 (CIRSA members only) • September 23-24, 2020: Tennessee Recreation and Park Association
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Contents
Play and Playground Magazine | Volume 20 No. 1 | Summer 2020
8
Features 8
How to Create the Right Setup for Learning Through Play
by Christiaan Ribbens, Alexa van de Wall and Yvonne Overmaat
12 The Benefits of a Playground Safety Audit by Joann M. Robertson
14 Bleachers 101
A Handy Guide for First-Time Buyers
12
by Eunice Williams
16 Four Factors of Responsible Nature Play by Peter Dargatz
18 When We Get To Play Again Looking Forward With Optimism by Pat Rumbaugh
16
Photo courtesy of Joann M. Robertson 4 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
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Enjoy the Outdoors ...on the Playground
TM
CPSI Course Calendar
Commercial quality products able to withstand years of use and exposure. Made in the USA since 1959.
CANCELLATIONS During this time of uncertainty, we urge everyone to follow the guidelines set out by the CDC and other government sources, including avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people. Most, if not all CPSI Courses will be postponed or cancelled.
Trash & Recycling Containers Park Benches Picnic Tables
Bike Racks
Please consult nrpa.org or your states park and recreation association for details.
Planters
Custom Signs
PARK • STREET • CAMP SITE PRODUCTS
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T H I N K I N G T O DAY
A B O U T T O M O R R O W ’S P L AY ™
Magazine
Connect With PGP
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SUMMER 2020 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE 5
Magazine Publisher | Webmaster Jake Amen
Editor Sara Bowersox
Design Jake Amen
Accounting Brad Smith
Contributing Authors Peter Dargatz Yvonne Overmaat Christiaan Ribbens Joann M. Robertson Pat Rumbaugh Alexa van de Wall Eunice Williams
Message From Our Staff
Jake Amen
AFTER ONE of the most bizarre and frankly heartbreaking springs many of us have ever experienced, we all walk into summer with great uncertainty and unrest. Many of the world’s places of play remain closed, questions of equality loom large, and we are left wondering ‘what’s next’? The COVID-19 global crisis has not gone away with case numbers rising even in the hot temperatures. According to the CDC, the rise is partly due to increased testing and reporting, and also from rapid community spread. With more data comes greater ability to react quickly and meet the needs of those infected. With more cases caused by community spread comes sustained closures. Even with cases on the rise in certain areas, the general consensus is that we have flattened the curve in the US making reopening play and recreation areas possible. Recently, Voice of Play released a comprehensive list of suggestions for parents and play professionals to safely get back on the playground. Some of these suggestions include:
• • • •
wear a mask for all ages 2 and up use hand sanitizer stay home if you are sick ensure that playground equipment is safety standard compliant • find out if playground equipment is being cleaned and sanitized • continue to practice social distancing Another suggestion is to stay informed by visiting your local and state government websites regularly to stay up to date on changes in your state and local community and follow their guidelines. We will also continue to share information, tips, and suggestions provided by a wide array of contributors and playground professionals. Voice of Play’s suggestions can be found at https://voiceofplay.org/covid19-resources/ As if the virus hadn’t caused enough world-wide disruption, racial tension and repressed inequality are boiling over into the streets. The horrible death of George Floyd while being taken into police custody has sparked a month of peaceful protest and vio-
Copyright, 2020 published by Playground Professionals, LLC, 4 issues per year, sub rates, back copies, foreign, reproduction prohibitions, all rights reserved, not responsible for content of ads and submitted materials, mail permits.
CORPORATE OFFICE Playground Professionals LLC P.O. Box 595 Ashton, Idaho 83420
www.playgroundprofessionals.com Photo courtesy of Joann M. Robertson 6 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
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MAKE A
SPLASH
WITH A PLAYGROUND
PUMP! lent riots exposing the pain and suffering felt by many Americans. While it feels wrong to offer up my views on things I have very little understanding or experience in, I am witnessing division deepening, even amongst friends. More division seems to be the opposite desired outcome of the protests. A quote often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, "we must all hang together, or ... we shall all hang separately,” illustrates the life or death importance of unity. We may not yet live in a colorblind world where, in the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr., children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, we do live in a land founded on the idea that all men are created equal. The Bible says in Matthew 18:3 that “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Perhaps the answers we seek reside in the innocence of childhood and the unity of play. For our summer issue, we continue our commitment to play by bringing you a collection of articles that show you how to create an environment that encourages learning through play, how to maintain your play spaces, and guide your purchase of seating for sports spectators. Follow us as we continue to bring you important play and playground information.
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How To Create The Right Setup For
Learning Through Play
by Christiaan Ribbens, Alexa van de Wall and Yvonne Overmaat EDUCATIONAL PLAY is so powerful that a student does not experience or see the activity of learning as work or simply not fun. Hearing a student say “I don’t want to go back inside for class!” after playing Mathematics games outdoors for a full hour on the Yalp Memo activity zone shows how amazing the results can be when creating the right conditions for educational play. The Memo developed by Yalp, part of the Finnish based Lappset, started as a playground equipment product directed at Finnish primary schools, known for having one of the best educational sys-
tems in the world. Children here have little homework and there’s only a single mandatory test at the age of 16. Play is an essential child’s right in the Finnish Law on Early Childhood Education. It encourages 15 minutes of play for every 45 minutes of instructional learning. The expectations for a piece of playground equipment here are so much higher, to not only deliver on play value but also educational value. So how do you meet the wishes and desires of these highly revered educators? The key lies not only in the content but in how we create the perfect context for educational play.
8 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
By looking at worldwide educational systems, listening, and talking to many educators all around the world, we see that there are different methods and ways of teaching. 21st-century skills and STE(A)M are two often heard of teaching approaches on top of all the standard school curriculums and teaching methods. The content, order, and ways the topics are presented can be completely different even between two educators using the same methods. A fixed list or way to offer content is not the answer. Offering the content in a combination of physical, social, and free play with eduwww.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
cational play as a result is. Every year there is increasing proof that children learn better whilst being physically active 1 and that children who have the most to gain, benefit the most by active learning 2. Also having a physical product to play with activates different parts of the mind and accelerates memory recall. Combining learning with physical activities is therefore not only a gimmick but scientifically proven. In every game on our 5 interactive products, we incorporate some form of physical play. While playing an outdoor science quiz on the educational playset the Yalp Memo, players answer fun questions like “Why does a hot air balloon rise?”, and www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
children are asked to sprint for bonus points between the more static parts of the game while they listen to the questions and answers. On the Sona Dance Arch, while remembering a number sequence, they jump on the right answer of the game floor to ‘break the code’. Or ‘jump on the number that rhymes with wait’ during our Rhyme game. Simultaneously, social skills & interactions are a huge part of a child's development. A fourth of the twelve 21st century skills (social skills, collaboration, communication, leadership) are directly related to social skills and social interactions. Educational play quickly turns into social play. Children, for example, learn
how to take turns, wait patiently and how to deal with conflicts while playing a stopwatch game on the Sona during which they make into their own athletic track over the playground. They learn how to deal with competition and rivalry while playing an intense 4 player Juggernaut soccer game on the Toro Sports Court. Obtaining different roles, collaboration and leadership are all part of a mathematics game where one student naturally takes the role of the “question announcer” and the others work together to touch the right answer as quickly as possible. Communication between the students is the glue holding all these activities
SUMMER 2020 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE 9
together, not only allowing students to brag about and compare their scores but also by giving each other tips and clues on what word to spell in the Memo's Spelling Bee games. Providing all these elements within the different games are highly valued by schools as demonstrated by the Rio Del Sol Steam School in Oxnard, California at which the Memo educational playset is not only used during recess but also actively during classes:
“The Yalp Memo allows students to learn through unstructured play, which helps them develop communication and negotiations skills between peers.” Rickey Koga, 2nd-grade teacher and tech champ at Rio Del Sol STEAM School
Unstructured or free play allows enduser to be flexible and to do what they would like to do, without there being a right or wrong. Game developer at Yalp, Christiaan Ribbens comments that this is the hardest type of play to incorporate in your product, especially when it comes to educational play. Lessons work in a particular order or normally contain some rules. Children who change to a different game every minute, try all the answers in a quiz or “interrupt” the game during a group effort, can sound like an undesired way of playing. However, on the Memo we completely embraced free play by giving users the chance to change a game, it's difficulty level or topic at any time, to be able to play as open-ended as possible. Instead of opting for a Mathematics game with all types of questions mixed, we’ve structured the Mathematics topics in different games. This allows children to pick the thing they would like to play (and learn), but even better allows teachers and schools to structure the topics that are relevant at that time. Every topic is divided into a maximum of 6 difficulty levels and keeping the number
10 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
of choices low actually improves the experience. The fact that children keep playing multiple games, exploring different curriculum topics, and finding ways to ‘beat’ the system, shows flexibility, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Our online connection gives us the option to add different topics to the curriculum over time, to expand our spelling games with new word lists, and constantly balance the difficulty levels to perfectly match the end-users expectations and skill levels. It’s even possible to collaborate on the creation of custom-made content as was done by a Science Center in Denmark, who created their own quiz with 500 questions (in Danish) that relate to the topics they cover in their exhibits. The right setup for educational play is a well-balanced and constantly evolving mix of content, placed in the right atmosphere for playful learning that keeps delivering positive results. What better way is there to learn the Roman alphabet, binary counting, counting to ten in Chinese, or converting mixed numbers into fractions while playing outdoors with your classmates? www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
Footnotes 1 Schaeffer, D., Krafft, C., Schwarz, N., Chi, L., Rodrigue, A., Pierce, J., ‌ McDowell, J. (2014, 5 mei). An 8-month exercise intervention alters frontotemporal white matter integrity in overweight children. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/24797659 2 Drollette, E., Scudder, M., Raine, L., Moore, R., Saliba, B., Pontifex, M., & Hillman, C. (2013, 16 November). Acute exercise facilitates brain function and cognition in children who need it most: an ERP study of individual differences in inhibitory control capacity. http://europepmc. org/article/med/24309300 Mingli, L., Lang, W., & Shuqiao, Y. (2015, 9 Oktober). Dose-response association of screen time-based sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents and depression: a meta-analysis of observational studies. https://bjsm.bmj.com/ content/50/20/1252
Maintaining your parks and playgrounds just got a lot easier.
877.984.0418 www.playgroundguardian.com info@playgroundguardian.com
Christiaan Ribben
UX/Game Designer at Yalp. Previously Rebellion. Credits Strange Brigade for PS4, Xbox One, PC. Evil Genius Online for Facebook, iOs & Android. Game journalist, tinker, boardgame enthusiast & pinball collector.
Alexa van de Wall
Online Marketing Specialist at Yalp. Co-founder Arnhem Onderneemt online community for small business owners. Sightseer, rock climber, nature lover and foodie.
www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
SUMMER 2020 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE 11
◆ Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use F1487-17 ◆ Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing F2223-15 Audits should always be conducted by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). This certification is available from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
When should any entity schedule an audit?
The Benefits of a Playground Safety Audit by Joann M. Robertson OUR PLAYGROUNDS and the surfacing beneath them are not usually the primary focus of our day until our organization is choosing new playgrounds or renovating the ones we already have. When playground safety concerns increase in priority, we may consider scheduling a playground audit. What is an audit and how can one benefit any organization?
An Audit
A playground audit is an initial or follow-up comprehensive examination of a playground. The purpose of an audit is to review a playground for compliance with: ■ Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Guidelines ◆ Public Playground Safety Handbook (Publication #325) ■ American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards
1. When a playground is newly installed 2. After catastrophe or serious damage (earthquake, mudslide, vehicle strike, etc.) occurs to the playground 3. When the playground is relocated 4. When playground regulations are updated
What are the benefits to your organization?
People often assume that a newly manufactured and installed playground will always meet the requirements, but playgrounds might be installed by contractors who are uneducated about playground equipment, accessibility, or surfacing. For example, a playground may be correctly assembled and installed, but the use zone around the equipment may be inadequate. The playground could then be installed too close to a fence, parking lot, other playground equipment which could then lead to frequent injuries or a fatality. A playground audit will improve your peace of mind about a new installation or renovation. In addition, audits provide safety documentation from an independent third party.
What is the difference between a playground inspection and an audit?
A playground inspection can vary greatly in type and may be done at various intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually). Playground inspections are often determined by the amount of use a playground receives and they can be conducted by different individuals, such as in-house facilities staff, playground vendors, the insurance company, or other interested parties. There are two general types of playground surveys: ■ High-Frequency Inspections - This 12 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
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type of survey quickly identifies items such as broken parts, loose-fill surfacing that needs redistributing or vandalism that needs to be addressed on a daily or weekly basis. This type of survey may not be written and is usually conducted by someone who is very familiar with the location. Problems noted during high-frequency inspections may include examples such as missing hardware or worn S-hooks located at the top of the swing sets. A written checklist should be utilized for this type of inspection. The lowfrequency survey is typically done quarterly or annually. This process also examines the overall playground setting and may address accessibility, environmental factors, and age appropriateness. ■ Low-Frequency Inspections – These inspections are a more comprehensive and thorough analysis. By looking at, under, inside, and around the equipment, this type of inspection will result in the discovery of needed repairs that may otherwise be overlooked. A Playground Audit differs from all other types of inspections because it is the most thorough review available to identify any problems with each playground. An audit includes a review of the equipment, layout, accessibility, and surfacing. The written documentation of an audit should always be completed and on file before accepting a playground and allowing children to play on the site.
Who should conduct a playground audit?
An audit is best completed by an independent, third-party contractor who specializes in playground safety and has a comprehensive knowledge of playground equipment, surfacing, and accessibility. This auditor should: ■ Know all applicable standards/guidelines ■ Be competent using the playground inspection kit ■ Understand playground hazards ■ Prepare a detailed summary report of the audit
What are the qualifications of a playground auditor?
■ Experience with auditing, not just playground inspections ■ CPSI certification ■ Independent party ■ Insurance certificate with professional www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
liability coverage to cover the services being rendered
What occurs during a playground audit?
During an audit, the CPSI must check each component of the playground, to ensure that parts are secure and free of compliance issues. The possibility of entanglements, protrusions, and head entrapments should be checked on each piece of playground equipment. These hazards account for many playground injuries and fatalities. The inspector will also check the depth and condition of the playground surfacing. The inspector will use gauges, probes, and other measurement tools to conduct the audit. Some other items needed to complete a thorough audit include a copy of the playground plan (when possible), a notebook and pencil, a copy of the standards/guidelines, a camera, a stepladder, and tools.
What types of problems are typically uncovered during an audit?
Many problems could occur with a new playground, especially one that is installed, relocated, or repaired by an uneducated installer. Here are examples of items that may be discovered: ■ Inadequate use zones (as discussed earlier) ■ Surfacing which is not adequate in depth ■ Equipment which is installed too high ■ Loose, incorrect or missing parts or hardware ■ Missing infill panels which can lead to head entrapment hazard ■ Exposed concrete anchors which protrude above the playground surfacing
salesperson and installer ■ Test data from surfacing manufacturer ■ Audit reports ■ Contact information for the auditor, installer, salesperson and equipment manufacturer and surfacing firm ■ Any recall information ■ Ongoing - inspections, repairs, and replenishment of surfacing.
How long should your organization keep an audit report on file?
An audit report should be completed for every piece of play equipment for each playground being audited. These reports should be kept on file for longer than the life of the equipment, because a child may bring about a playground lawsuit at a later date. Discuss with your attorney for a more specific answer in your state.
Conclusion
A completed playground safety audit for each playground should be a priority since the benefits are numerous and easily outweigh the expense. Be sure your next playground audit is from a company that has the proper expertise to assist your organization by reducing the chance of injuries and fatalities, avoiding playground claims, and improving your peace of mind. Resources: ■ U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION - www.cpsc.gov
■ AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING & MATERIALS - www.astm.org
■ NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION - www.nrpa.org
After a playground audit, what should an entity do next?
■ Keep the playground closed until all problems discovered by the audit are corrected ■ Keep all documents on file ■ Enjoy your playground ■ Continue to conduct ongoing inspections and necessary repairs
What documents should your organization keep on file for playgrounds?
■ Plans ■ Catalogs ■ Bills of sale ■ Insurance certificates from the surfacing firm, equipment manufacturer,
Joann M. Robertson
Joann M. Robertson CPSI CSP ARM CPCU is a certified playground safety inspector and certified safety professional who represents Playground Medic on Long Island, NY. This firm, which is located in Hawthorne, NY, inspects, audits and repairs playgrounds. Joann studied Outdoor Recreation at Springfield College, MA, and then went on to work for various public sector insurance companies in the risk management department. Joann has written numerous safety-related articles for a variety of publications.
SUMMER 2020 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE 13
BLEACHERS 101
A HANDY GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS by Eunice Williams INVESTING IN NEW BLEACHERS can be a daunting affair because every seating project is unique. Get it wrong though and a slew of fingers are going to point right at you. You may have many questions: Which size is best for your application? Can bleachers be moved across campus or across town?
What surface do they sit on? Are their local codes or ordinances that apply? If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. To help you make an informed decision, read on to learn more about finding the right bleachers for your needs:
Different Types of Bleachers Transportable Bleachers
Also known as portable bleachers, these aren’t locked into a set configuration, making them more versatile than other types of bleachers. Hence, they’re perfect 14 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
for adding more seats in situations where permanent year-round installations aren’t as practical. However, they are only designed for transport throughout a single facility or field, as they are not built to withstand long distances on the highway or open road. That said, transportable bleachers can be rearranged to suit a variety of indoor and outdoor areas, allowing you to customize the set-up per event. As for their seating capacities, most transportable bleachers are sold in five or 10-row heights. Five-row models can seat anywhere from 42 to 74 people, while tenrow models can accommodate between 82 to 144 spectators. www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
Standard Non-elevated Bleachers
Standard non-elevated bleachers are characterized by a first row that places spectators’ feet at ground level. Though they are smaller and provide a lower seating capacity, this makes them more cost-efficient and versatile, as they do not require the use of additional stairwells or walkways. They usually come in three rows, four rows, five rows, ten rows, and fifteen rows, which are all ideal configurations for smaller fields or venues.
space used for aisles and handicap requirements.
Elevated Bleachers
As the name implies, elevated bleachers are raised off the ground, with the first row placing the spectators’ feet flush with the elevated front walkway. This elevation provides spectators with a much better viewing angle, getting rid of ground-level visual distractions such as barricades, walls, and passers-by. They are only accessible via stairways and ramps and come with guardrails for added safety. Often larger than non-elevated types, these bleachers are most commonly used in stadiums as well as any outdoor and indoor venues that accommodate large crowds.
Available Space
When choosing the size of the bleacher, make sure to carefully measure the area where it will be installed. To figure out the ideal length of the bleacher, measure the available space’s length from left to right. Then, find out how many rows of seating you can get by measuring the depth from front to back.
Surface for Installation
When it comes to bleacher installation, certain surfaces will work better than others. In most cases, bleachers are best placed on solid level surfaces, preferably concrete slabs with some anchoring to meet wind loads. However, most bleachers can be installed on any level surface that can support its overall load with the help of auger-type anchoring.
Compliance
Things to Consider When Choosing Bleachers
Before buying any bleachers, you should first confirm if they meet the compliance standards of your specific state, which are based on the International Building Code (IBC). If they’re found to be in violation of said compliance standards, you may end up having to replace the bleachers entirely. To find out which version of the IBC your state is using, visit the International Code Council’s website for more information.
Desired Seating Capacity
In Conclusion
Tip and Roll Bleachers
Tip and roll bleachers are another quick and versatile space-saving solution, suitable for situations that require temporary seating for 16 to 42 people. They rest on rubber foot pads and wheels, protecting floors from damage while keeping the unit in place during use. Unlike larger types of bleachers, tip and roll bleachers can easily be tipped up or “folded” onto their swivel casters, making them easy to transport from one place to another. Each unit is also easy enough for one person to move around and can fit through most doorways. And because they can be stored upright, they take up minimal space whenever they’re not in use. They also come with caster brakes that prevent the bleacher from rolling while in storage. www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
Generally, a standard individual seat takes up around 18 inches of space. To determine how many people a certain bleacher can accommodate, take the length of the unit and divide it by 18 inches. Then, multiply the answer by the number of rows in the bleacher to get the gross seating capacity. Next, calculate the net seating capacity by subtracting the
With all of this information in mind, you should have a much easier time shopping for the perfect bleachers. As long as you do your research and ask around for recommendations, you shouldn’t have a problem finding the best option for your needs. With enough patience and determination, we’re sure you’ll find it in no time.
SUMMER 2020 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE 15
Four Factors of Responsible
Nature Play
by Peter Dargatz THE SOUNDS of children playing filled the air. Besides an occasional trip home for a snack or bathroom break, their entire day was spent outside. Climbing trees. Catching critters. Living life. And without an adult in sight. Adults often look back on these days of nature play as some of the best days of their lives. Sadly, those days of nature play are few and far between for most of today's generation. Many questions exist. Who is to blame for the loss of these opportunities? Is it our reliance (and often over-reliance) on being constantly en-
tertained through some type of screen? Are adult caregivers worried about the appearance of looking apathetic or irresponsible when it comes to supervising their children? Is “unstructured” a scary term? Does the fear of litigation, a loss of control, or societal dangers (perceived or legitimate) hold play back? Have these days of nature play disappeared forever? Is there any way to bring them back to the world we live in today? In a word. Yes. Under one condition.
Let the kids lead.
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But how? Put away the bubble wrap. Provide clear expectations. Let the children explore, get dirty, and take risks. We survived. They will too. In fact, taking away the opportunity to lead nature play and experience nature is stunting children’s creativity, hindering their problem-solving capabilities, and ignoring necessary skills important to their physical, social, and emotional development. Responsible nature play provides countless benefits. But before jumping into some serious nature play, four factors need to be considered.
“Unstructured” Fallacy
The word ”unstructured” is misleading. Nature play is not uncontrollable chaos. In fact, it is quite the opposite. When led by children, nature play has intense flexibility and organization, even though the untrained adult eye might initially see it as a free for all. Rather than use the erroneous term of “unstructured,” try emergent or child-led. A tweak in terminology can go a long way. Similar to scaffolding in a traditional classroom, parents can experience nature play right alongside their children. As a child becomes more experienced with their environment, the adults will be able to lead less and observe more. Eventually, a child with an array of nature play experiences will earn the trust of their caregiver and should be given the freedom and right to be the director of their own play. Observant adults will appreciate the structure that exists in “unstructured” play. www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
Missed Opportunities
Risk vs. Hazard
Ticks and sticks, two words that cause serious adult anxiety. Risky? Sure. But true nature play requires risk. Children need risk and thrive when given the opportunity to experience it. Their ability to assess risk only grows and gains credibility when nurtured and practiced as independently as possible. Even then, a child’s self-assessment skills involving risk are vastly underrated. Adults feel the need to protect our children. Even with the best intentions, adults paving the way for every move their child makes does not equate to protecting them. It’s impossible (and irresponsible) to eliminate every risk for children. Hazards, however, need to be discovered and removed. Understanding the difference between risk and hazards and developing that understanding with children is imperative.
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Dirt. Water. Weather. I call these the three misrepresented elements of nature play. Unfortunately, while attempting to be proactive problem-solvers, adults may inhibit the magic of nature play by purposely avoiding these elements. Avoidance is not nearly as beneficial as preparedness. Kids like getting dirty and believe it or not, dirt and mud offer health benefits. Remember, dirt doesn't hurt. Water play can be risky. This is a prime example of understanding the difference between risk and hazard. If only a risk, get wet because it's a scientific fact that water will dry. Playing in perfect weather is ideal, but being engaged in nature play in all that weather encourages new perspectives and instills an appreciation of everything nature offers us. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
of research prove that there should be no debate on the value of nature play in healthy whole child development. In presentations, I often refer to nature play as play on steroids. It takes the positive benefits of play to the next level. When these four factors are understood, practiced, and practiced again, children will once again be trusted to climb trees, catch critters, and live life under the guidance of Mother Nature and their own imaginations.
To Pick or Not To Pick
Nature play doesn't need to always follow a straight line. Kids (and adults) like to go off-trail and explore. Obviously, when playing in a space outside of one’s own yard, the expectations of that location should be respected. However, when able, experiencing nature off trail allows for new sensory experiences that bring play to the next level. Kids love picking flowers. They treasure trailblazing. They enjoy experimenting with a branch’s dexterity. Going off-trail is memorable and meaningful, but it is also controversial. Do the risks of going off-trail outweigh the benefits? Are there hazards? Is the area in question ecologically vulnerable? Will the actions and activities associated with going off trail leave lasting ecological impacts on the land? With some common sense and some basic education about respect for the environment, going off-trail is an excellent element in responsible nature play. Responsible nature play is not simply opening the door and sending children outside until the street lights come back on, but it is a collaborative effort between children and adults. Mountains
Peter Dargatz
While his claim to fame might be as a retired racing sausage for the Milwaukee Brewers, Peter Dargatz is prouder for being a father of three nature-loving children, a national board-certified teacher, and the coordinator of a well-respected, public school nature kindergarten program at Woodside Elementary in Sussex, Wisconsin. Transitioning his classroom from the inside to outside has allowed him to create and develop his “4P’s” philosophy, focusing on play-based, placebased, project-based, and personalized learning. This philosophy’s foundations are cemented in play, citizen science, service learning, and community collaborations. Along with the nature kindergarten program. Peter is the coordinator for an all-school collaboration with the Retzer Nature Center and a districtwide family nature club. He is also the volunteer coordinator for the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Tyke Hike program, aimed at getting families of young children out in nature using Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Additionally, he is a founding member of the Wisconsin Nature-Based Early Childhood Association (WINBECA) and one of the contributing writers to Natural Start Alliance’s Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook. Please follow Peter and all of his outdoor adventures at Tales From the Trails. Thank you!
SUMMER 2020 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE 17
When We Get To Play Again Looking Forward With Optimism
by Pat Rumbaugh THE COVID-19 virus pandemic has affected everyone. The world has changed and may never be the same. The pandemic has many downsides to it, but children are benefitting from this time period. They are finally getting the chance to be kids, have time to get bored, be creative and go out and play on their own (https://bigthink.com/Charles-KochFoundation/raise-independent-children; FREE RANGE kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy). For centuries communities around the world have played together. Native Americans regularly played games and Children’s Games (painted by Flemish Renaissance artist, Elder Pieter Brueghel in 1560) displays over 80 different ways
to play. In Takoma Park, Maryland LPA has held over 25 Play Days. For ten years our Annual Play Day has been held outside and inside our Takoma Park Middle School. Let’s Play America is a nonprofit that believes everyone deserves to play. Every community large or small, preschool, university, business, place of worship, and of course the community you live in can benefit from a Play Day. LPA has over a decade of experience planning and implementing Play Days. A Play Day Handbook is being developed and is scheduled to be available on July 1, 2020. So why would you want a Play Day Handbook? While you are at home and have extra time on your hands, you have opportunities to give yourself daily playtime, because you deserve it and need it too. The Play Day Handbook is filled with examples of play activities. The Play Day Handbook will help you think of play activities you played as a child, activities you never thought of playing and will help you dream of activities that could be offered in your neck of the woods. If you work for a business where you and your co-workers have been working from home, you are just one example someone who may wish to plan a Play Day for you and your co-workers when
18 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
you return to work. Your place of worship may be holding weekly Zoom worship, but I bet you miss seeing friends in person. This is your chance to think about surprising them when we get back together in person. School settings at all levels would also benefit from a Play Day as the country gets going again. The Play Day Handbook gives many tips on planning a Play Day that can be customized to fit your community. You could be a preschool parent, a professor at a university, a principal, teacher or student who knows the students deserve a celebration to look forward to when they return to school. Once people around the country and world are safe to gather together a Play Day celebration will be just what the doctor ordered. On July 1, 2020, the Play Day Handbook will be available and sent to donors online for a suggested donation of $50. Feel free to contact us with questions: info@letsplayamerica.org (240) 752-9176 (240) PLAY-176 Play friends, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes by George Bernard Shaw: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” www.playgroundprofessionals.com/magazine
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SUMMER 2020 PLAY AND PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE 19
Take a look back on almost 20 years of vital play and playground information with us.
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