Environment is an essential area of attention for practitioners who support young children with disabilities and their families. Decisions about the environment impact the quality of care and education for young children with disabilities showing measurable influence on expected outcomes. Environment impacts true access, quality participation, and…

This captivating book illuminates our understanding of how young children develop gender identities. A two year longitudinal research project on children's own understandings of gender casts new light on how 3 and 4 year old newcomers in early years classes learn rules for gendered behaviour from older children, in their imaginative and…

This article describes a playground design that is a physical education experience center divided into a developmental area, a creative area, and an all-weather area. (PD)

A new graph transfer method will enable schools to increase the use of recreational surfaces by color coating them with maps of the United States, the world, and whimsical animal game designs. (Author/MLF)

A New York City competition produces designs for accessibility in both the plan and the equipment provided in "multiuser parks." (Author)

Review of the literature on issues concerning playground design and children's needs. (MP)

Since a more imaginative playground landscape induces more children to participate in play activities, increased safety precautions must be taken by school and recreational personnel. (LH)

Describes how to properly plan and equip playgrounds. (Author/MLF)

To reduce playground accidents, schools should (1) audit their playgrounds for compliance with current safety guidelines; (2) employ a risk manager; (3) develop a safety curriculum; and (4) put more emphasis on teaching basic movement competence to students. (MLF)

Students in grades three to four can collect, analyze, and represent data in order to determine which piece of playground equipment appears most popular. Students in grades five to six can investigate the geometry of playground structures using measurement and scale models. Lesson plans and reproducible worksheets are included. (CMS)

Discusses four factors central to the American playground movement: backlash reaction to cognitive emphasis in early childhood education, influence of European play environments, increasing awareness of deficiencies in traditional American playgrounds, and accumulation of experience with new types of playgrounds. Cites research related to each of…

These guidelines assist professional designers, park and recreation managers, and community groups when making decisions about the planning, design, and ongoing management of children's public play environments. The guidelines are updated to meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines (July 26, 1991) and the…

Adventure playgrounds provide children with an area free from the imposition of adult values and social competition--a crucial necessity in a healthful maturation process. (LH)