| The amount of time children spend outdoors has | | | | going back to the classroom to learn more. |
| rapidly decreased in the last ten years and it is | | | | Whilst you may think that playgrounds are used |
| becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that | | | | purely for the enjoyment of children, they will |
| children of all ages are getting a good amount of | | | | constantly be learning through outdoor play. |
| exercise. With the introduction of computers and | | | | Playground slides and jungle gyms help children to |
| games consoles, children are becoming use to | | | | learn how to interact with each other and build |
| staying indoors and only interacting with screens | | | | upon their social skills. Children learn how to share |
| and monitors. However, it is essential that children | | | | and take turns and can start to understand what |
| get outdoors both for their health and wellbeing. | | | | social behaviour is acceptable. For children with no |
| This highlights the importance of providing children | | | | brothers and sisters, these are fundamental skills |
| access to fun, stimulating and safe outdoor play | | | | to learn and the playground hosts the perfect |
| areas. | | | | environment. |
| With the obesity rate for children in the UK | | | | By providing children with an exciting playground |
| consistently increasing, it is important to | | | | environment, it stimulates their mind and allows |
| encourage children to do regular exercise, ideally | | | | for cognitive development. When children play on |
| on a daily basis. Nearly one in every four children | | | | playground swings, sandpits and children's play |
| starting out at primary school are now obese or | | | | tunnels they use their imagination which is crucial |
| overweight and the figures increase by the time | | | | for developing problem solving skills. They then |
| they move to secondary school. The | | | | learn to think for themselves, thus improving their |
| Government recommends one hour of exercise | | | | independence. Having a variety of different pieces |
| daily as well as a balanced diet in order to stay | | | | of equipment will contribute to the development |
| healthy and help children grow properly. The | | | | of different areas within the brain. |
| playground at school provides the perfect | | | | Finally, playgrounds also provide children with a |
| opportunity for children to run around and stay | | | | safe and fun environment in order to release |
| active for an hour during lunchtime. | | | | tension and stress. It is important for children to |
| School playgrounds also provide variety for | | | | have 'down time' where they are allowed to relax |
| children during their school day. Younger children | | | | and get rid of any excess energy. This will also |
| have much shorter attention spans and sitting | | | | assist them in the classroom, meaning they are |
| down in a classroom for long periods will not keep | | | | able to concentrate better. Therefore the |
| them engaged. Allowing them breaks to go and | | | | importance of the playground is not to be |
| have fun will keep their minds active and give | | | | underestimated and should be well thought out |
| them a chance to refresh their memories before | | | | and planned. |