A playground is not just a place for fun. It is a space where motor skills are formed, physical health is strengthened, and social connections are developed. For young children, play becomes a basic learning tool. It is playgrounds that allow them to train fundamental movement skills, including running, balance, and object control.
Why is the Fun Game Important
Children learn movements through simple actions: jumping, climbing, running. Each repetition strengthens bones, improves coordination, and helps build endurance. A study involving 172 children showed that outdoor playgrounds with a variety of equipment contribute to higher locomotive results. At the same time, another study among 57 children revealed that object control skills remained low at the playgrounds only about 0.2%.
The Influence of Size and Structure
The school playground matters. In one study involving 229 children from ECEC centers, the larger area of the playground showed a positive correlation with fms (effect size 0.33). However, 210 children aged 5-12 did not find such a relationship. This is explained by the fact that kindergarten classes age 3-5 years is a key period for motor development, whereas later the size value decreases.
The Natural Environment and Its Effect
Studies show that natural playgrounds give children more opportunities. Among 46 5-7-year-old children who played in the woods for 9 months for 1-2 hours, improvements were noted in eight of the nine motor tests, including flamingo balance and shuttle run. By comparison, their peers at traditional venues showed less pronounced changes.
The Role of Equipment and Game Features
Equipment also matters. Climbing nets trains , locomotives, and balance beams develop stability. An Italian study among 71 children proved that structured and unstructured play on a specialized playground improved the performance of balance and work with a medicine ball. However, chasing or rough play without features also showed benefits for locomotive skills.
Children with Special Needs
Rehabilitation playgrounds are becoming an important part for atypical development. Camera surveillance of 6 children with Down syndrome revealed that they spent up to 90% of their time in motor-based activities, mainly swinging. As the environment became more complex, from flat surfaces to sloping ones, children adapted, which confirms the importance of variability.
From 2000 to 2015, at least 14 studies were conducted, involving from 12 to 789 participants. One study involved 181 children, the other 703. The data show that diverse features and ample playgrounds enhance the development of fms at an early age, especially from 3 to 7 years.
Playgrounds are not just playgrounds. These are environments where play, development, and social interaction merge together. Children learn to manage their bodies, interact with peers, and strengthen their physical health. The variety of features, the possibility of structured and free play, as well as the connection with the natural environment create the conditions for the formation of skills that will become a pillar for confidence and sustainability in the future.
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