Why Do Schools Need Playgrounds?

Once upon a time, all of us were children. Even the most studious of us anticipated the bell that signaled the arrival of recess, wherein we left our books on our desks and marched outside for thirty or so minutes of uninterrupted fun. Some kids play tag. Some march into the adjacent ball field or basketball court. But the majority rush to the jungle gyms, play structures, and swing sets. In short, playgrounds are staples of the recess experience, and all schools should invest in high-quality structures that encourage and add dimension to playtime without compromising safety. You can find all that (and more!) at American Playground Company. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk a bit more about the benefits that recess provides to children.

Benefits that Recess Provides

Recess, according to the CDC, “is a very important part of the school experience for students because it helps them practice life skills (e.g., cooperation, following rules, communication) and can increase physical activity.” Although children attend school, obviously, for education, it is also a prime venue for them to develop some key personal assets while their young minds and personalities are developing. These include:

• Learning to interact. One of the key benefits attending school, in general, is that kids interact with people they wouldn’t otherwise meet. They learn to make friends from different age groups and backgrounds. The playground is especially important on this front, as it allows children to bond through something all kids enjoy: playtime. Playgrounds encourage group exercise, playing tag, hanging out near the swings, etc. Social interaction for a great stepping stone in preparing them for the interactions and tolerances they must be ready for in the adult world.
• Exercise. In an age when mobile devices run rampant, when kids spend increasing amounts of time glued to their phones and tablets, extended periods of physical activity are a must. Without access to playgrounds during recess, many kids inevitably spend even more time on their phones. A well-designed playground with modern structures and installations help counter this. The play structures, swing sets, tire swings, etc. sold by American Playground Company encourage them to pocket their phones for a while in order to climb, run, and play tag.
• Increased attentiveness. Did you know that exercise helps sway the mind from distraction? When kids spend their recess playing rather than playing on their phones, they’re more likely to return to the classroom with less distracted minds. The CDC report linked earlier also reports that “Recess also helps improve classroom behavior such as paying attention and memory.” This is good not only for their academic record but for their general life habits.

Inclusiveness

As we mentioned at the top, playgrounds provide children of different backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to interact and bond. Acceptance is an essential personality trait for them to have, and playtime nurtures this. American Playground Company even sells inclusive playground elements such as adaptive swing seats (which feature buckle-equipped straps), the inclusive team swing, and the inclusive atom spinner.

What should a school playground include?

American Playground Company leads the industry with our vast catalog of equipment and supplemental products, all of which can be used to build a high-quality school playground.

• Playground structures. Browsing our website, you’ll find that American Playground Company sells a broad spectrum of structures, with varying degrees of style and accessories. There are structures with a single, tubular slide; others feature three or more open slides. Still others are small, designed to fit into more confined spaces while still providing children an outlet for fun.
• Independently installed swings. Freestanding swings help free up space during recess; you don’t want entire classes swarming around the same playground structure, trying to get on at once. Having a swing set provides children another place to have fun until space opens up on the main playground structure. Also available for purchase is our selection of tire swings, which allow for a more dynamic playtime experience.
• Playground surfacing. Concrete, brick, and other hard surfaces are an absolute no when it comes to playgrounds. Recess means the occasional trip, tumble, etc., and hard surfaces increase the odds of bruises, cuts, and worse. For this reason, it’s essential to install safe playground surfacing. Check out our surfacing options, which include everything from rubber mulch to poured in place rubber. All of these help cushion falls and reduce the likelihood of injury.
• Shelters and shades. Shade shelters for playgrounds provide many benefits. In addition to providing protection from UV rays, they help keep playground equipment cool to the touch.

As you can see, playgrounds help provide the exercise, physical activity, and social skills that children of all ages need. As such, every school needs a playground for children to enjoy during the recess hours. If you’re planning a school playground, look no further than American Playground Company. We stock all the equipment you need, can provide information on grants, and more! We even have a free-to-use online tool that allows you to design your own playground!