One of the situations in which the child spends much time is informal, outdoor play settings. Much of this time is spent in spontaneous play in neighborhoods, around the dwelling unit, and on designated playgrounds. Unstructured and spontaneous play is an important part of a child's development. It is through unstructured, child-initiated play…

Discussed are limits and constraints associated with the design of small urban parks located in such a way as to optimize use. Factors affecting design strategies and solutions are listed, and four major design strategies are examined. Specifically, strategies involve space, time, innovative designs, and municipal laws and by-laws. (RH)

The concepts upon which current playgrounds are designed are examined. Recommendations made for playground designers involve: (1) realizing all play is "normal"; (2) redirecting thinking on safety factors in planning; (3) designing equipment for the environment it will be used in; (4) broadening guidelines for equipment design; and (5)…

This paper identifies issues confronting early childhood educators who want to integrate young children with special needs with other children, and the implications of such integration for the design of outdoor play settings. The main thesis of the paper focuses on the ambiguity involved when developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood…

Children can suffer serious injuries in falls from standard playground equipment, especially if they land on a hard surface. Parents can: (1) form safety committees; (2) demand safer playground surfaces; (3) remove equipment deemed hazardous according to Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines; and (4) support the purchase of safer…

This article describes the playground of the future. Its design would promote both defined and creative play opportunities for all children including the handicapped. Also discussed is the equipment that would be useful in developing all children's perceptual motor abilities in 11 different areas. (JM)

This paper formulates guidelines for the design of children's play environments to optimize children's creativity during play. The paper defines "play," discusses Jean Piaget's work on cognitive adaptation, discusses creativity in the context of cognitive adaptation, and proposes designs for play environments to produce behavioral adaptation that…