10 Must-Have Items to Keep in Your Playground Pack this Spring
March 10, 2022How to Create the Ultimate Backyard Kids Play Area
May 4, 2022
Diversity, equity and inclusion matter in all aspects of our lives. Studies show countless positive effects from engagement, empowerment and performance to innovation, reputation and responsibility – and not just for grownups. It doesn’t matter if we are tall, short, five years old or 65, being included can help make all of us happy, confident and content.
From an early age, we have an innate need for a sense of community, to be noticed, to be included and to feel like we belong – in a playgroup, in a sports team, in a classroom or in the workplace. However, inclusion isn’t always easy to identify or see. It means more than being picked for a team – it also means acknowledging and responding to individual needs.
Many playgrounds are designed with able-bodied participants in mind. Inclusive playgrounds welcome children of all ages, abilities and developmental stages to explore, learn and grow together. By providing a wide variety of inviting and enjoyable equipment, they ensure not just physical inclusion, but the opportunity for social inclusion as well – so all participants can experience meaningful play together, and the benefits of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Moreover, the 2020 Voice of Play Survey also found outdoor play to be helpful for children coping with the mental impacts of social injustice. Here is how you can spot such a place:
Photo credit: Unsplash
- Accessibility: Many people equate accessible playgrounds with inclusive ones, because accessibility is the first and most noticeable aspect we see. Accessible playgrounds have ramps or transfer systems so visitors of all abilities can enjoy elevated play areas safely and comfortably. Ramps provide safer passage to raised components for children who are unable or do not want to use transfer systems (as well as to providing access to caregivers using assistive devices who may be trying to keep up), while there may also be other equipment to accommodate children who are unable or do not want to transfer out of their wheelchairs.
- Diverse swings: For most children (and many adults), swinging not only helps to improve motor skills and coordination, but gives an extraordinary, joyous sensation of freedom. For some children, swinging also helps to process sensory information with a soothing, repetitive motion. Inclusive playgrounds offer several different sets of swings: one for babies and their caregivers to use in tandem, one for ages 2-5 with the recognizable bucket seats, one for ages 5-12 with less or no safety, one for big kids 12+ with a higher or no weight limit (making it appropriate for grownups to get a little wind-in-the-hair feeling, too), as well as one with additional support and security for those who are differently abled – ideally in more than one size as well.
- Ground-level activities: Inclusive playgrounds should have plenty of activities and equipment that allow children to enter and exit at the ground level, without the need to climb any stairs, ladders or ramps. Such areas offer independence for the youngest visitors who are just learning to walk, a safe space for others who may be afraid of heights, and easy access to everyone else regardless of their developmental or ability levels. (They may also provide some relief to caregivers trying to herd multiple visitors of different ages and/or abilities in relative proximity to each other.)
- Groupings: This may sound counterintuitive, but inclusive playgrounds are made up of separate areas with appropriately sized equipment to serve different age groups. The recommended age group should be somewhat obvious from the design and scale of the equipment, but signs posted in the area or on the equipment should also give you guidance. By grouping similar equipment together, playgrounds offer safe entertainment in line with the various age and ability levels of their visitors. Most children will instinctively gravitate to their age-appropriate area to find kindred spirits and be able to make their independent choices of play (while others will try to scale the tallest structure anyway).
- Sensory space: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory processing disorder often feel over or under stimulated, and either need a quiet place to escape to or the option to engage in activities that stimulate their senses. Inclusive playgrounds include a mix of both calmer areas where visitors may withdraw if needed – without feeling isolated or being completely out of sight – and sensory-rich activities that may involve music, lights or spinning motions to keep them stimulated. (As a bonus, the latter can also provide lengthy entertainment to children of all abilities who like to make noise.)
- Social space: Inclusive playgrounds usually include classic, free-standing structures that all children can use independently at the same time – such as playhouses, barns, spaceships or entire fortresses. These give them the opportunity to interact and socialize with different ages and abilities to observe or imitate others, as well as – ideally – demonstrate the right moves and help those who may need a hand. In addition, they organically teach socialization skills and rules of engagement as children learn – and promptly instruct any nonconformists – to line up, wait their turn or give others the right of way. Most importantly, while the different levels will naturally divide participants by age and ability, these structures still have the power to create a sense of community overall.
Inclusive play promotes understanding, reduces prejudices, helps to build self-esteem and supports acceptance from an early age. In an inclusive playground, children of all abilities feel nurtured, encouraged, respected and stimulated – both physically and socially. We hope you find one of these inspirational places in your neighborhood!
