Chapter Overview

Outdoor play is often devalued in early education. In this chapter, however, you learn of its importance to the health and well-being of children. In addition to understanding general guidelines for planning quality playgrounds for young children, it is important to know about the value of fixed equipment, movable equipment, and the importance of having a variety of options outdoors. Children benefit from having different outdoor play spaces such as a transition area, manipulative/construction space, dramatic play area, physical area, sand/water play space, and a natural area. Teachers should design the playground to meet the development needs of infants/toddlers, preschool children, primary students, and children with special needs. Quality playgrounds for young children include commercial equipment, donated materials, and adult-made equipment. Just as in the indoor classroom, regular change in the outdoor play environment is stimulating for children, and teachers should plan for these changes to maintain student interest. Teachers and playground planners need to be aware of health and safety issues such as standing water on the playground and the surfacing under and around playground equipment and must be prepared to eliminate them. Once convinced of its importance, parent and community members can enrich playground activities by helping to build a creative outdoor environment for children and provide assistance with activities such as gardening. Teachers must be convinced that outdoor learning experiences are highly valued and work to educate parents, families, and community members about the need for renewed commitment to outdoor activities for young children.