Turn Your Playground Into A Classroom
Sandhill RV Park Stoneybrook playset
Playgrounds are often seen as a place for recess that is entirely separate from the educational environment of the classroom. However, with creativity and intentional planning, educators can seamlessly integrate the playground into the classroom curriculum. By viewing the outdoor environment as an extension of the classroom, educators can foster holistic development, promote hands-on learning, and inspire curiosity and exploration.
At Play Mart, we believe both the outdoors and play are integral to all parts of child development. That’s why we design our playground equipment to be more than mindless entertainment. In fact, we are so passionate about the role of play in education that we created lesson plans to help educators use our products in a play-based curriculum. If you are new to play-based learning, we created a helpful guide to get you started. Read on to learn how guided and free play can enrich learning and development for all ages.
Table of Contents
- What is learning through play?
- Why is learning through play so important?
- Why Take Learning Outside?
- STEM Play-Based Learning Activities
- The Role of Physical Activity in the Learning Process
- Types of Interactive Play Equipment
- Play-Based Learning for All Ages
- Learn Play-Based Learning With Play Mart!
What is learning through play?
Current early childhood research is defining play-based learning as a dynamic approach to education that encourages students to explore and engage with subjects in a hands-on, interactive way. Child-led play experiences allow the opportunity to make decisions and solve problems independently. This promotes critical thinking skills and fosters creativity and independence.
Teachers play a crucial role in setting the stage for play-based learning by creating an environment conducive to exploration and discovery. Teacher-directed play includes providing versatile equipment that allows students to interpret and use materials in their own unique ways. Through play-based learning, children can develop social skills, language abilities, cognitive development, and emotional intelligence, all while having fun!
Why is learning through play so important?
At Play Mart, we have seen the benefits of integrating learning into the playground. Children rely on physical experiences, interactions with others, and their imaginations for the majority of their learning. Research has shown that children learn to regulate their emotions and think before acting through imaginative play. This role-playing also helps build social skills crucial for success in various environments.
Play can also aid in learning and growth in an academic setting. Teacher-guided play is similar to inquiry-based learning, where educators ask questions and encourage children to connect their play experiences to real-world knowledge. Montessori education, for example, emphasizes playful learning within structured environments. Research suggests that play-based learning is a powerful tool for social, emotional, language, and cognitive development.
Play-Based Pedagogy
If you are new to play-based pedagogy, here are a few tips to effectively incorporate the playground into your classroom curriculum:
Why Take Learning Outside?
As demonstrated by our Recycled Structural Plastic (RSP) materials and green-powered manufacturing facility, Play Mart firmly believes in the importance of nature in the lives of children and adults. From fostering a deeper connection to the natural world to enhancing academic achievement and promoting holistic well-being, the benefits of outdoor learning are profound and far-reaching.
Studies have shown that learning outdoors can enhance academic engagement and performance across various subjects. Outdoor environments stimulate the senses and provide multisensory learning experiences that cater to different learning styles. Whether conducting science experiments in the woods, reading under the shade of a tree, or solving math problems using natural materials, outdoor learning engages students' minds and bodies in ways that traditional classrooms cannot replicate.
STEM Play-Based Learning Activities
Play can also aid in learning and growth in an academic setting. Teacher-guided play is similar to inquiry-based learning, where educators ask questions and encourage children to connect their play experiences to real-world knowledge. Montessori education, for example, emphasizes playful learning within structured environments. Research suggests that play-based learning is a powerful tool for social, emotional, language, and cognitive development.
1. Ramps
Ramps offer an excellent opportunity to explore concepts related to motion, force, and simple machines. Children can observe how objects move differently on various slopes by incorporating inclined planes into playground structures. Encourage them to experiment with rolling balls, sliding objects, and racing toys down ramps of different heights and angles. Children learn about gravity, acceleration, and the relationship between height and speed through hands-on exploration.
2. Light
The playground provides an ideal setting for investigating the properties of light and shadow. On sunny days, children can observe how shadows change in size and direction as the position of the sun changes throughout the day. Set up simple experiments using flashlights or mirrors to demonstrate reflection, refraction, and the behavior of light rays. Engage children in shadow tracing activities to explore concepts such as transparency, opacity, and the angle of incidence. Many of Play Mart's play sets like the Bobcat and Raleigh incorporate Bubble Panels that demonstrate the properties of light.
3. Gravity
Gravity is a fundamental force that influences all objects on Earth. The playground offers opportunities for children to experience and understand the effects of gravity through activities such as swinging, jumping, and climbing. Encourage children to observe how their bodies move in response to gravitational forces and to experiment with different positions and movements to change their trajectory and speed. Discuss how gravity affects objects in free fall and why objects fall to the ground at the same rate regardless of their mass.
4. Friction
Friction is the force that opposes motion when two surfaces come into contact with each other. Playground surfaces provide varied textures and materials for children to explore the effects of friction firsthand. Encourage them to slide down slides of different materials and observe how friction affects their speed and motion. Experiment with pushing objects on different surfaces to compare the amount of friction generated. Through these activities, children learn how friction influences movement and how it can be both helpful and hindering in daily life. Double slides, included in play sets like the Kilimanjaro, are ideal for comparing the effect of friction on different objects.
5. Momentum
Momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity and is a key concept in understanding collisions and the conservation of energy. On the playground, children can explore momentum through activities such as swinging on swings, riding on slides, and playing with moving objects. Encourage them to observe how their momentum changes as they swing higher or slide down faster. Introduce the concept of conservation of momentum by demonstrating how two objects collide and exchange momentum. Through playful experimentation, children develop an intuitive understanding of momentum and its role in everyday activities.
The Role of Physical Activity in the Learning Process
Educators and researchers alike increasingly acknowledge the profound impact of regular physical activity on cognitive development, academic performance, and overall well-being. Numerous studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between physical activity and cognitive function. Engaging in regular exercise has been shown to improve attention span, memory retention, and problem-solving skills. Studies have found that students who participate in regular physical activity tend to perform better academically, with improvements observed in standardized test scores, grades, and classroom behavior.
In addition, physical activity provides valuable opportunities for social interaction, teamwork, and emotional expression, fostering the development of essential social and emotional skills. Through participation in team sports, cooperative games, or group fitness activities, students learn to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and manage emotions such as stress and anxiety. Physical activity also serves as a powerful outlet for self-expression and creativity, allowing students to channel their energy in productive and constructive ways.
Types of Interactive Play Equipment
Playgrounds serve as essential spaces for children to engage in physical activity, social interaction, and imaginative play. However, playgrounds can also be powerful environments for learning, offering opportunities for educational exploration and skill development. Incorporating educational playground equipment enriches play experiences and fosters children's cognitive, social, and sensory development. Let's delve into some types of educational playground equipment that are revolutionizing the way children learn and play:
Musical Instruments
Play Mart's Musical Playground Equipment, such as xylophones, drums, and chimes, allows children to explore sound, rhythm, and creative expression. Children develop auditory skills and enhance their understanding of basic musical concepts by experimenting with different musical tones and patterns. Moreover, collaborative play on musical instruments promotes teamwork, communication, and cooperation among peers.
Art Panels
Integrate Art Panels into playground structures to encourage children to unleash their creativity and express themselves through visual art. Magnetic chalkboards, whiteboards, and paint panels allow children to engage in various artistic activities. Through art play, children develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and aesthetic appreciation while expressing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a tangible form.
Gardening
Gardening areas within playgrounds provide children with hands-on experiences in planting, nurturing, and harvesting plants. Children learn about plant life cycles, soil composition, and environmental stewardship by participating in gardening activities. Gardening also fosters a sense of responsibility and connection to nature as children care for living organisms and observe the effects of sunlight, water, and nutrients on plant growth. Additionally, gardening activities promote healthy eating habits. Play Mart's Raised Garden Beds and Greenhouses allow for a deeper level of understanding of biology and ecology than your typical bean plant in a cup!
Sensory Play
Sensory playground equipment stimulates children's senses and promotes sensory exploration through tactile, auditory, visual, and proprioceptive experiences. Sensory play elements may include textured surfaces, water play features, balance beams, and sensory gardens. Engaging in sensory play helps children develop sensory integration skills, body awareness, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, sensory-rich environments offer opportunities for inclusive play, accommodating children with diverse sensory preferences and sensory processing needs.
Educational Panels
Educational panels installed within playgrounds offer interactive learning experiences incorporating academic content into play activities. These panels may feature puzzles, mazes, maps, or informational displays related to science, geography, history, and mathematics. By interacting with educational panels, children reinforce cognitive skills, expand their knowledge base, and develop problem-solving abilities in a playful context. Educational panels also serve as valuable resources for outdoor classrooms and informal learning environments. See also our Nature of Early Play Outdoor Classroom Products.
Play Stages
Dramatic pretend play is an essential and exciting aspect of childhood. Children explore their individuality by becoming astronauts, queens, or even dinosaurs, emulate grown-up behavior, and learn to express themselves innovatively. Whether structured or unstructured, this type of play emerges as a powerful tool in early childhood development. Play Mart's Play Stages are a creative classroom for young minds, fostering cognitive growth, imaginative thinking, language development, and even conflict resolution through dramatic play.
Play-Based Learning for All Ages
As children get older, a play-based learning environment tends to gradually be replaced by direct instruction in the classroom. However, learning through play isn't just beneficial for early childhood development. Children of all ages (and even adults!) can benefit from educational guided play activities.
In middle and high schools, where standard teaching models traditionally prevail, the concept of play-based learning is often overlooked. This doesn't mean the potential for development and discovery isn't there. By incorporating physical classroom materials and multisensory tools in their teaching methods, teachers can stimulate students' creativity, encouraging them to express their learning in unique, tangible ways.
Whether it's Play-Doh sculptures to demonstrate scientific concepts or Lego scenes for English literature analysis, play-based activities allow students to reinterpret and consolidate their learning through hands-on activities. The result is an environment where students feel comfortable to explore, question, and make personal connections in their learning journey.
Learn Play-Based Learning With Play Mart!
Integrating the playground into the classroom curriculum offers a wealth of opportunities for rich learning experiences and holistic child development. Through intentional planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative pedagogical approaches, educators can unlock the potential of the playground as a dynamic and immersive learning environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally
If you're ready to expand your teaching beyond your classroom walls, join Play Mart in our mission to learn through play. It's time to let go of the humdrum learning of yore and explore the limitless possibilities of education right on the playground!
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