More Than Just Fun and Games

Playgrounds play a critical role in a child’s development. What looks like fun and games to parents is actually an important part of raising a healthy, happy child. Some of the benefits of playground play include improvements in:

• Social development — Important lessons about sharing, cooperation, conflict resolution, friendship, and communication are learned on the playground.
• Cognitive skills — Physical exercise has been shown to aid in the development of a child’s cognitive abilities, providing a means to improve motor and sensory skills, along with concentration, attention spans, reaction times, memory, and information retention.
• Self-confidence — Kids that challenge themselves to overcome fears (“That slide is too high!”) or master a skill (“I made it all the way across the monkey bars!”) build confidence and self-esteem.
• Physical skills — The simple act of running, jumping, climbing, swinging, and sliding help children build and develop muscles, as well as provide benefits for their hearts and lungs.