Importance of Playgrounds & Advice During COVID-19

Updated on June 23, 2020

Playtime is as important as classroom learning. Especially, for early childhood development. Playgrounds provide cognitive, physical, and social learning opportunities for children. With fun and exciting playground equipment, kids of all ages can develop and learn in the playground.

At KOMPAN, for years our team have worked to design and build incredible playground equipment. This is why we’re so aware of the benefits of children’s play areas. Children’s outdoor play equipment can have a massive positive impact on children’s physical and mental health.

Of course, due to COVID-19, children’s play areas have been closed. In the UK, this is still the case. As schools have been closed as well, it’s important to make sure that children don’t miss out on their education.

In this blog, we’re going to explore how to bring the benefits of children’s play areas into the home. Since schools have closed, parents have been trying to replicate the benefits of outdoor play equipment. One impact has been the decrease in social interaction between kids:

Children’s Play Area Social Benefits

Kids learn so much from interacting with each other. They learn from social interactions that help them develop key social skills that will help them in later life. This includes learning to wait their turn to use playground equipment. As well as developing critical problem-solving skills.

Another benefit that is often overlooked is how outdoor play equipment can encourage confidence. Children’s play areas allow kids to build their self-esteem through challenging themselves. This can be physical challenges they overcome, such as using a climbing frame. Or mental challenges like developing a game with other children that is fun and exciting.

This doesn’t have to stop because of children’s play areas being closed. It’s important for children to keep active both physically and mentally. This can be done by making sure you are arranging playtime for your child while at home. Additionally, you can also, of course, go out (making sure to follow social distancing rules) biking, running or even walking with the family. All these ideas just seek to supplement playground time and school and make sure that your kids are not missing out such physical activities. 

Explain to children the reason for social distancing in ways they will understand. As well as in a way that is not upsetting. 

Keep Active Using Outdoor Play Equipment

One benefit of children’s play areas you may instantly think of is keeping active. The reason they help kids to stay active is simple: they’re fun. Such outdoor equipment has to be fun. It has to entertain kids. It has to engage children and encourage them to play, that is the only way kids will benefit from playtime.

Outdoor play doesn’t have to be limited to playgrounds. All it takes is creativity and planning. Kids are resilient and love to explore new ways of playing.

The most important message is to help kids keep active safely. Keeping active will not only help children keep fit but provide mental health benefits for kids. The benefits of outdoor play equipment are so important. It’s vital to provide safe play opportunities while playgrounds are closed.

If you are a school, council or just someone who owns such playground equipment and are looking to make sure that such equipment is maintained or repaired by the time that all returns back to normal, then be sure to get into contact with Kompan. We offer all such equipment and can also carry out inspections and maintain existing equipment for anyone. 

We hope the advice in this blog is helpful. To find out more about how playground equipment can have a positive impact on children’s development, get in touch with KOMPAN today on 01908 201002. 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.