This guarantees that every single child, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, deserves a chance to play with children their age, without fear of discrimination and bullying. Now that your baby is ready to explore, what better way of making memories than have them in an inclusive playground? Bowling fundraised for the swing so that Miles who uses a wheelchair could play at the neighborhood park. If a playground is accessible, someone with a disability wont have to bring their own equipment or ask for accommodations. All playground parts must be accessible to children with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, who must have full and equal enjoyment of all aspects of the playground experience. A community playground provides the perfect place for them to make friends and enjoy playtime with other children in their town. When Anthony was a preschooler, I didnt think twice about spending an afternoon at the playground or think twice about the play equipment, however, when the twins were that age I suddenly needed to think about play structures in an entirely new way. Additionally, number or alphabet boards are a fun way to incorporate learning into play. We also took a deeper look at the issue on our Disability Garrison podcast episode that released on June 28th. The goal with both of these playgrounds is to ensure a playground design that gives all children . The first place my children made friends, outside of the family, was on the playground. Your email address will not be published. This is why every community should have sensory-rich inclusive playground equipment. Perhaps still, a run through the tracks? Community Crossroads. Lets quickly talk about the difference between ADA-compliant and inclusive. Inclusive playground design must follow specific principles to make it useful to children of all abilities. Parents in this study also confirmed that their children had low self-esteem. Furthermore, many schools/organizations arent sure how to build inclusive play spaces, or start developing a culture of inclusion in playgrounds. No person should experience a barrier to participating in community life because of a disability or limitation. This term means a change that is made so that a person with a disability is able to fully participate. This helps to build community and relationships that last the test of time. "description": "Play is a vital part of childrens development and a key factor in how they come to understand the world around them. Although Fair Play for All only lasts a few weeks, advocating for better inclusion is a lifelong mission thats dear to my heart. Is your town on the list? Lets look more specifically at some of the wonderful benefits of inclusive playgrounds. Including ramps and rails as necessary or using ground level play events. So,it often comes down tothisburning question:My loved onedoesntqualify forMedicaid, buttheycantaffordprivate carewhat do I do? This will make a playground more accessible to children who require the use of wheelchairs. What is the importance of such inclusion for playgrounds? Inclusive playgrounds also offer children the ability to engage with other children with different histories, backgrounds, heritages, and bond together in friendship. "name": "Playworld", In reality your local playground may just need a small modification to go from inaccessible and exclusive to accessible and inclusive. Keep in mind that a parent or other adult may have a disability. Even though playgrounds have one of the highest rates of inspection and attention to safety of any . According to Miracle Recreation, an organization that has been innovating playgrounds across the nation for nearly 100 years, Playing at the playground is an essential part of childhood. Join Holly and Michael as they talk with Melissa Schlemmer. Inclusive play in the early years helps children learn that other people have thoughts and feelings, too. There may be a sandbox and drinking fountains. Creating inclusive playgrounds is a worthy goal since it offers many benefits. There must be an accessible path from the building or parking area to the edge of the play area. Inclusion In Playgrounds: Why Is It Important? - Kids Included Together Inclusive Play is not just focusing on accessibility, itbringsage, developmental appropriateness, and sensory-stimulating activity into the equation which results in social equity and increasingly diverse social communities. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. Many of the playgrounds in Concord, NH have accessibility features included. And Im deeply saddened by the fact thatmore than 30 years after the ADA passedplayground inclusion for all kids and their families is still an afterthought. The playground, after all, is a safe haven for every child. In celebration of the ADA and in recognition of the work that remains, Fair Play for All: Celebrate Play! Both immediate and long-term benefits of inclusive playgrounds are numerous for all children, with the same benefits often extending to their parents and caregivers. Miles yelled . }, Your email address will not be published. Play is so essential for child development around the world that the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights recognizes it as a right of every child. The disruption in school routines and work schedules meant that most families spentmore time at home together. The Benefits of Inclusive Playgrounds - Growing Up Bilingual 1. Kids learn to use their imaginations and collaborate with each other. Kids and parents alike can enjoysome fresh air and active play while social distancing, of course. We also carry other site amenities to complete your play area including safety surfacing, shade structures, picnic tables, benches, and more. United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child, The Evolution of Public Playgrounds in the United States, Building a Playground for Busy Property Owners, September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, 3 Reasons Your Community Needs a Playground for Older Adults. Everyone can't do everything, but everyone can do something. In an inclusive playground, various play equipment have been installed to take care of different physical challenges that some kids could be facing. Here's an overview on self-direction to get you up to speed. Providing multigenerational, inclusive play ensures that all people experience meaningful play and the benefits of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. In addition to the fun of spinning or bouncing, these activities are made more fun by the social element they involve. kids in wheelchairs) or not (e.g. In addition, all children can benefit from inclusive playgrounds. An inclusive playground can be a tangible way to demonstrate a communitys true commitment to diversity and inclusion for all its citizens. Playgrounds in parks, schoolyards and other public places are trusted public spaces. Playgrounds for all could also be considered inclusive playgrounds.. Inclusive playgrounds are characterized by the fact that they go beyond the physical aspects of accessibility, with the aim of creating opportunities for social interaction and inclusion [Citation 10].Therefore, inclusive playgrounds could be a way to support the participation and inclusion of children with disabilities in . They learn to use their imaginations together and create some amazing play time as each child adds a different aspect to the story. Mummy- ma, your babys first pronunciation in an attempt to call you. These play spaces can bring whole communities together, helping those with disabilities have fun, further their development and feel a true sense of belonging, and helping others in the community embrace the values of diversity and inclusion. The secret behind the attraction of an inclusive public playground lies in being mindful of the different needs and behaviours of playground users. There are also picnic tables, restrooms, shelters from the sun or rain, basketball courts, and other features in some playgrounds. Reflect on some of the first friendships you ever made. Providing children with disabilities accessible playgrounds can help them develop more fully and feel more accepted among their peers. Inclusive playgrounds bring communities together and make each person feel valued and understood. From deciding who is going to be the captain of the ship to figuring out who is going down the slides together, decisions are made and leaders are built. For these children, an inclusive playground should feature equipment forbothgroup activities and for independent play. They learn that climbing as high as you can is a lot more fun with someone to enjoy the view with. Heres a quick list of the most common benefits for all children simply by playing together in an inclusive play area: With over 20 years of experience working behind the scenes and in the front lines of inclusion KIT provides early childhood education professionals and caregivers with inclusion training and practical strategies. This is an incredibly important issue to me and my family. This is the result of following the letter of accessibility but not the spirit of inclusion. With inclusive playgrounds, children of all abilities can have a safe space to express themselves in physical motion through play and also allows them to start mingling with other children and to make friends. Many times people with audio or visual impairments benefit from these features because it makes them feel comfortable. Weve been talking a lot about inclusive playgrounds, so its only right that we experience one. Your little bundle of joy had marked tremendous milestones since birth. But in the hustle, we left fun, laughter, and inclusion for kids on the playground far behind. How And Why Are Playgrounds Important For Child Growth? Still the perennial question remains where and how to begin? A sensory playground is one that contains playground equipment/elements that stimulate one of the seven senses - touch, movement, smell, taste, sight, hearing and balance. This will teach the attributes of compassion, tenderness, empathy, and tolerance in the young minds that play at the inclusive playground. So why are inclusive playgrounds important? Modified climbing frames for blind/partially sighted children. An inclusive playground is about more than wheelchair ramps, although those are important. What Are the 8 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design? Want to find an Inclusive Playground close to you? Accessibility is part of the equation . June 21, 2022 Learn how an inclusive and accessible playground is beneficial for all children and their parents. An inclusive playground can provide more opportunities for children without disabilities to meet their peers with disabilities, which can create a positive exchange leading to greater awareness, deeper understanding and enhanced empathy. Why are Inclusive Playgrounds important? | Westplay Canada Blog For the past decade, fun abounds has been helping individuals and communities achieve their dream play spaces. Most parks and playgrounds are designed with able-bodied children in mind. Why Playgrounds Need To Be Accessible & Inclusive To All - Community Would they be able to ride a bike? It's important for children to practice their sensory and cognitive skills outside of the classroom. Are Inclusive & Sensory Playgrounds the Same Thing? - May Recreation Community stages that allow for wheelchair access. This includes, for example, children withvisual impairmentsor intellectual disabilities who may find even an accessible playground to be designed primarily with children who can hear or aretypically developingin mind. Playground designers should prioritize inclusivity because its beneficial to many children and families. Even something as simple as waiting in line to go down the slide can help a child advance their social skills. I remember the painful thoughts that ran through my mind when Aidan was diagnosed with Autism, and then again when Lillys diagnosis and weak muscle strength began. It is a vital part of childrensdevelopment and a key factor in how they come to understand the world aroundthem. This post was sponsored by Landscape Structures as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. They'll discusshow important it is for care providers to be paid for their services. An inclusive playground is a place where kids of all abilities can come and play, learn, grow, and make positive connections. Throughout July, check out our Facebook page and join us as we explore an inclusive playground and talk about features that make it fun for all kids and their families. Sadly, those with disabilities are at the greatest risk. Children who engage in free play are healthier and have higher self-esteem. Inclusive parks allow 'play for everybody.' Here's where to find one in Unfortunately for many who have a disability, visiting a playground is unrealistic due to its inaccessibility and failure to be inclusive to all. Required fields are marked *. For this blog post, well talk about the benefits of inclusion in playgrounds for all kids, information on how you can start building an inclusive play space and how Kids Included Together (KIT) can help your organization foster inclusion in playgrounds. Inclusive playgrounds can bring family members together, providing a space that promotes engagement and play for all, no matter their age. Inclusive playgrounds are welcoming and engaging spaces for children and adults with a wide range of abilities. Unfortunately, many children are unable to reap the benefits of play or engage in the activity due to the nature of most parks and playgrounds across the country. 08 May, 2018 Making playgrounds for everyone All kids enjoying playing; whether it's being creative and imaginative, or silly and rambunctious, the urge to play is natural. It informs all that we do, and were eager to help communities like yours create inclusive play spaces so all children can enjoy their right to play. 4 Tips to Help Make Playgrounds More Inclusive in Your Community That also includes thenow more than 11% of students who are homeschooled. An inclusive playground combats this problem by making all users feel equally valued and valid. For example, when a child gets up the courage to go down the slide the first time or learns how to swing on their own, they will swell with pride. Kids learn how to make friendships by working together and helping one another. An inclusive playground can still include play elements which have been popular with children for generations, but it will also feature some elements specially designed to be able to accommodate children with disabilities. . Additional staff to assist kids and parents. Tables and seating areas with wheelchair access. Inclusive play spaces make it possible for all members of the community to come together and interact. Sensory play equipment such as the Little Tikes. Inclusive playgrounds are designed with all users in mind, so no one should feel the playground is incompatible with their abilities and interests. Along with being just plain fun, it helps them develop emotional, social, creative and physical skills they'll need in adulthood. We put this commitment into action by providing a wealth of information and practical guidance on how to design inclusive playgrounds. This can make situations even more dangerous for kids with disabilities and their families, leading to more accidents and injuries due to compliant terrain that isnt maintained. Our 30-acre Central Park features beautiful grass and wooded spots for walking and picnics, and the Fitness Park is a great place for children and adults to have fun and stay in shape. Some popular types of playground equipment, like merry-go-rounds or seesaws, are designed for group play. "@type": "BlogPosting", Disability Garrison Episode 04: Family Caregivers with Melissa Schlemmer. Three years of time, energy, and advocacy finally resulted in an ADA-compliant and inclusive playground that all kids and their families can enjoy. KITs goal is to foster a culture of inclusion in classrooms, playgrounds, schools, and childcare centers. To some extent, there will always be the need for accommodations, but many advocates of those who have disabilities hope that with more focus on universal design and pushes to create accessibility from the start. PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE, 2022 Year in Review: Union Park by Hillwood Lifestyle Community, New Home Communities Offer Diverse Homes for Every Stage of Life, Can You Buy a House Online? Why Creating an Inclusive Play Environment Is So Important This is a great post! While it's easy to think of playgrounds as amenities for children, they're important to the success of the community as a whole. And in the end, the result is the same: kids are left on the sidelines. It also promotes good mental health and higher levels of overall happiness. "Seeing children and adults enjoy the new playground together is why the Rebuild program is so important," said Commissioner, Parks & Recreation, Kathryn Ott Lovell.