Playing is not only fun, it is a vital part of a child's social, physical, and mental development. It is where children practice problem-solving, self-regulation, and creative thinking while improving their coordination and fine motor skills. For kids with developmental delays, opportunities for play can be an important part of the child's growth and learning. Although playgrounds are an excellent place for children to learn and practice important skills while interacting with peers, ensuring our kids are safe while they play isn't always an easy task. For parents and caregivers of children with special needs, it is important to be aware of potential playground safety risks so that playtime remains fun, nurturing, and safe.
Ensure Equipment Is Safe and Accessible
The 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that any playgrounds built or altered after March 15, 2012 must meet certain accessibility and safety requirements. While this act has helped make some playgrounds safer and more accessible, these features are not available at all facilities and do not guarantee a child's safety. Before allowing your child to play, it is important to check the playground for any issues.
Every child is different and knowing your child's specific needs can help avoid issues early on. For children who enjoy running or exploring, enclosed playgrounds provide a safe way for them to explore their surroundings freely while remaining close to their caregiver. For other children, accessibility concerns can be addressed by finding playgrounds with adequate safety features, such as rubber padding, wide pathways, and ample guard rails. Ensuring your child can access different parts of the playground safely can be as simple as inspecting hand or guardrails for completeness and sturdiness while being mindful of the placement and width of ramps and wheel stops. Since playgrounds are a place of free play, inspecting ramps, stairs, and pathways beforehand will allow you to minimize any obstacles, such as toys, sticks, or other items that can become a safety hazard. If you need to escort your child as they play, finding a playground that allows you to safely access all of the same parts as your child can be just as important.
Create a Buddy System
The buddy system, or the teaming or pairing up of kids, can be another amazing way to help your child play and learn safely. By using the buddy system, you not only encourage your child to practice interactive play but you allow them to learn important social skills from one another. Through interactive play, your child can practice empathy while watching how other children self-regulate and problem-solve. This provides a safe and open environment for your child to learn about themselves and their peers. Although every child is different, pairing up children of similar ages can help promote age-appropriate emotional, mental, and physical development. For children who are uncomfortable with changes in their surroundings, having a buddy to play with consistently can provide them with amazing opportunities of interactive play in a healthy, stress-free environment.
Use Age-Appropriate Equipment
A large part of playground accessibility and safety is ensuring you use equipment designed for your child's age. Although some playgrounds have separate play areas for toddlers or small children and older, school-aged children, this is not true for all facilities. From swing design to the height of slides and monkey bars, knowing your child's abilities and limitations can help you choose the best play equipment for them to safely use. Since playgrounds are full of children of varying ages and capabilities, some children may be encouraged to follow the actions of older children and use areas outside of their abilities, age group, or comfort zone. Being mindful of what play areas your child can safely use can help you guide them toward certain areas or away from others.
Supervise Them Closely
Keep a close eye on your child. Injury can happen at any time and keeping a close watch on your child will allow you to quickly respond if they are hurt, scared, or need help. While some injuries are relatively unavoidable, watching them closely will allow you to react quickly and provide any assistance, comfort, or medical attention that is needed. Similarly, it can be easy to lose sight of your child at playgrounds. Whether it is a busy playground with several children or an empty maze of tunnels, bridges, staircases, and slides, losing sight of your child can be a source of stress and fear for children and caregivers alike. By keeping watch over your child, they can feel free to play without worrying about being lost or alone while you have the peace of mind that they are safe and happy. Some kids are more physically expressive than others. Keeping a close watch on your child can also help ensure their safety and the safety of other kids during these interactions. As each child is at a different phase in their mental, social, and emotional development, keeping watch over your child can help support them and keep them safe as they play, learn, and interact with others. This is especially true with younger children who are likely just being introduced to various developmental concepts.
Facilitate Secure Environments
Choosing a playground for its accessibility and safety allows your child to freely explore and play in an environment where they feel safe. While injuries or fear can discourage play, involvement, or expression, taking steps to avoid what may scare or hurt your child can alleviate any developmental setbacks. Sensory play is an important form of fun and self-expression where kids can learn important social skills like empathy, acceptance, and communication while improving flexibility, coordination, and resiliency. Ensure your child has a fun, stress and injury-free day at the park with these easy ways to find safe and accessible play areas just right for them.
Every child is different and no one knows your child better than you! Search for inclusive playgrounds that are safe for your child to use. Before playing, make sure you know what types of equipment are available for your child to play on and what areas are not safe or age-appropriate for them to use. By inspecting the play area beforehand, you can be sure to rid walkways, stairs, and ramps of any potential obstacles that could cause your child to become stuck or injured. Playtime is a fun way for your child to explore their surroundings and learn and grow as they experience new things. By using the buddy system, you can help your child stay safe while providing peer-learning opportunities through social interaction. Whether alone or with a buddy, keep a close eye on your child so that you can quickly provide assistance and ensure they continue to feel safe to explore and learn.
Additional Resources on Playground Accessibility
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - This site provides details on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it impacts playground design and updates.
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Reverse Inclusion Buddy System - An academic-focused look at the buddy system and how peer learning could benefit the social and emotional development of children with special needs.
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Let Kids Play! - A directory of inclusive parks organized by state. Provides details on features, dimensions, safety, and inclusivity for children with different needs. Details and pictures are provided to help parents choose a park that is right for them, in their location.
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Accessibility for Playgrounds - A look at what makes a playground inclusive for various special needs. This site explores how children with different special needs play and interact, allowing readers to better understand how to advocate for safe play for and with other children with disabilities.
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Safety and Children with Disabilities - This site provides caregivers with information on how a child's needs may change over time and how to ensure their safety given those changes.
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Playground Safety - Playground safety from a statistical point of view and what dangers or most common injuries to avoid.
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Playground Inclusivity - An academic study on playground inclusivity, children's experiences, and what hinders them from fully experiencing a playground and its features.
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Benefits of Inclusive Play - This case study explores the importance of play and the use of playgrounds by children with special needs in terms of their development.
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Inclusion in Playgrounds - A look at the barriers, benefits, and difficulties faced by designers, cities, communities, and families trying to advocate for children with special needs.
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Welcoming a Child with Disability - This site explores the many benefits of child play, communication, and exploration on the child's growth.
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Benefits and Barriers - An exploration of the benefits and barriers associated with all-inclusivity and the importance of providing facilities, parking, and activities for all children and families with special needs.
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Special Needs Planning - This site provides a gratuitous amount of resources for families of children with special needs. These resources range from education and healthcare to finding facilities that fit your child's needs.
Find more about the author: Kim Hart