Discusses improvements in playground design and how playgrounds for young children can be further improved by more focus on gross-motor, social, dramatic, and constructive play. Also examines the largely negative role of activity panels that many playground companies include on their structures, noting that such panels often present academic…

Describes constructive play and its importance to young children. Offers suggestions for facilitating constructive play outdoors including: (1) providing access on the playground; (2) bringing the classroom outside; and (3) addressing the challenges of loose articles outside. Calls for reversing current trends that discourage outdoor constructive…

Argues that playgrounds must provide all children with opportunities for physical, social, constructive, dramatic, and game play. Suggests that considerations include playground regulations, safety, age appropriate areas, accommodation of children with physical disabilities, materials selection, construction, available manufactured play equipment,…

Describes the development of a model playground by the Adams County, Colorado, Head Start Program, giving particular attention to local contributions, physical features of equipment and playground, and ways children use the playground for motor, dramatic, social, and constructive play. (RH)

This article briefly discusses the value of play in children's lives and the types of play in which they engage. Safety standards for play environments are presented, and guidelines are provided for play equipment and play supervision. (IAH)

Notes the increase in after-school programs for school-age children and discusses ways to meet the outdoor play needs of this age group. Stresses the need to recognize the unique physical, cognitive, and social needs of school-age children; offers suggestions for developing or modifying playgrounds to meet those needs. (TJQ)

Describes the process of designing and building a playground for 3- to 6-year-olds in Brazil. Describes how the playground design incorporated recommendations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's "Handbook for Public Safety," how local materials were obtained, and how funding was secured. (KB)

Examines children's developmental needs with regard to outdoor play areas, the types of equipment needed to encourage all kinds of play, and the advantages and disadvantages of homemade and commercial playground equipment and various playground materials. Discusses the role of safety standards, outlines requirements of the Americans with…

This document presents a program description of Pacer School, a free school in its fifth year of operation in Kansas City, Missouri. The first part of the paper, entitled "Education for Democracy," describes how the school got started, staff background and role, finances, curriculum, activities, physical environment and playground design and…

Discusses (1) factors supporting day care center remodeling; (2) assessing building suitability for remodeling; (3) documents to help in assessment; (4) creating a team; (5) cost and funding; and (6) overall design considerations. Emphasizes unique children's needs. Includes tips on indoor environments, individual classrooms, the playground, and…