Newborns are dependent on their parents for basic day to day routine, such as feeding, sleep cycles, social interactions due to their gradually developing nervous system which eventually develops as they grow. These courses of action of becoming independently self-regulated from being dependent parents are facilitated majorly by play activities.
Play can be defined as freely chosen, personally directed, intrinsically motivated behaviour that actively engages the child. Play is not frivolous; it is a brain building activity. The play has been shown to have both direct and indirect effects on brain structure and functioning. Play leads to changes at the molecular, cellular (neuronal connectivity), and behavioural levels (socioemotional and executive functioning skills) that promote learning and adaptive and/or prosocial behaviour.
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Traditional playgrounds are aesthetically designed involving activities on metal or brightly coloured plastic equipment’s which require imagination, teamwork and communication. Traditional playground games have been endlessly adapted and elaborated on by children of all ages, but the core idea remains the same i.e. improving overall physical development. The design of traditional type play structures developed early in the 20th century and they are still used on playgrounds today. Swings, slides, see-saws, climbers and merry-go-rounds can be stated as the most popular items which are generally used on this type of playground.
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The health benefits of play involving physical activity are many. Exercise not only promotes a healthy weight and cardiovascular fitness but also can enhance the efficacy of the immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. Outdoor playtime for children has been associated with decreased BMI. Physical activity is associated with decreases in concurrent depressive symptoms. Play decreases stress, fatigue, injury, and depression and increases range of motion, agility, coordination, balance, and flexibility. For a child, being outdoors is the only chance for exploring the world that surrounds him or her.
It’s outdoors where children can freely experience their motor skills like running, jumping, climbing etc. It is also the most appropriate area for performing manipulative skills such as swinging, lifting, and balancing.
Most Common equipment found on traditional playground includes:
Slides
It helps to improve Co-ordination and stimulates the balancing mechanism which enhances the same. It also improves the upper body strength required for grasp and climbing. Additionally, it encourages in improving cognitive skills.
Swings
This equipment helps to improve the balance, Co-ordination, upper torso strength and instigate communication amongst the kids
Climbers
These rope-like structure helps not only to improve the strength, coordination and balance but also to improve locomotive skills. Additionally, it also has a positive impact on cognitive skills.
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Balance Equipment
As the name suggests these device helps to challenge the balancing skills by helping kids to understand the surface alternations. It includes balancing board, trampoline, etc.
See-Saws
These equipment helps to create the co-ordination amongst the children by understanding the balance mechanism which has a lot of positive impact on cognitive skills. It helps kids to perceive distance, time and speed alteration impact over the body.
Spring Mountain Equipment
This device helps the kids to understand the various force application and their reactions on the body. It also enhances the higher mental functions along with balance and co-ordination.
Merry-Go-Round
This equipment also helps in improving the balance and co-ordination. Particularly these device help kids to understand the speed and cognitive skills.
Multi-Play Structure
This big device is a combination of various small structures which has various benefits like locomotive skills, balance, coordination, agility, etc. It has a great impact on social and collaborative skills including cognitive aspect.
Overall, children can boost their physical capabilities and enhance their balance, fitness, and strength using traditional playgrounds. And by playing with others, will help them learn valuable social skills, which may contribute to healthy emotional and social resilience.
These are all favourite things that kids love to do since the current lifestyle of society has become more sedentary, risk-averse and time-poor, gadget-friendly lesser children are found on the playgrounds.
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