Our Science-Backed Approach to Play

Physical

Did you know that just 20 minutes of moderate activity on a school playground a day gave the children in one study a 20% higher likelihood of getting an A in math or English? That’s right — more active bodies can mean more active brains! But physical play means different things to different children, depending on their physical abilities. 

Swinging or walking up a ramp can be physical play for one child, while another may benefit from overhead ladders or climbing the tallest rock structure. Designing playgrounds that have equipment engineered for different physical abilities is crucial for inclusive childhood development and confidence building.

Social-Emotional

Play & Park Structures uses data-driven research to promote these kinds of connections on the playground. For example, we know that research from Utah State University has shown that the higher children get on a playground structure, the more socially engaged children are with each other.

This includes children with and without disabilities! Incorporating tall towers and slides, for instance, could support all children’s social-emotional development.

Sensory

Do you remember learning about the seven senses in school? They’re sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste, vestibular, and proprioception. Often thought of as separate categories, research has shown that these senses are actually an integrated system that overlap.

Playgrounds that integrate the seven senses can positively influence the development of the whole child. Play & Park Structures playground equipment incorporates music, puzzles, spinning, rocking, and other elements offering sensory stimulation for children of all ages and abilities.

Cognitive

Cognitive development refers to children’s perception, memory, imagination, conception, judgment, and reason. When designing playgrounds for the whole child, we often recommend equipment that encourages problem-solving, abstract thinking, and learning — such as the Selfie Swizzler, Tweenmates Swings, Auditory Sensors, A-Maze Funstations, perfectly-tuned music instruments, and more.   

Communication

A large part of childhood socialization involves, well, communicating! We design play spaces to enhance children’s language development and encourage meaningful communication experiences.

Whether its installing telephone tubes or creating cozy spaces where kids can bond with friends under the shade, no inclusive playground would be complete without incorporating this important developmental domain.