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You are here: Home / Gross Motor Activities / Academic Benefits of Playgrounds

Academic Benefits of Playgrounds

August 11, 2016 by Amy Smith

We all know that playgrounds are amazing places for children to run around, get exercise, and play with their friends. But, did you know that when kids play on a playground, they are also improving their ability to perform better in the classroom?

Learn how playing on various parts of a playground translates to improving your child's academics in the classroom.

Here’s a break down of how each playground piece helps your child succeed in school:Learn how playing on various parts of a playground translates to improving your child's academics in the classroom.

#1- Monkey Bars

  • Builds upperbody and hand strength needed for pencil grip, scissor grip, and handwriting/typing endurance
  • Develops eye-hand coordination needed for handwriting, cutting, and coloring
  • Hanging from the monkey bars elongates the spine which causes a release of neurotransmitters to elicit a calming response (great before a big test or busy day at school!)

#2- Slide

  • Stimulates the vestibular system which is responsible for balance, coordination, and spatial orientation.
  • Helps with writing, reading, and standing in the lunch line without bumping into other kids

#3- Climbing Wall

  • Builds upperbody and hand strength needed for for pencil grip, scissor grip, and handwriting/typing endurance
  • Develops core strength needed for upright posture when writing or typing and sitting in class
  • Improves attention and concentration
  • Improves bilateral coordination skills needed for handwriting, cutting, tying shoes, buttoning, and zipping

#4- Teeter Totter Swing

  • Encourages teamwork, communication, and social interaction
  • Stimulates the vestibular system which is responsible for balance, coordination, and spatial orientation
  • Develops internal body rhythm needed for reading fluidity
  • Develops upperbody and hand strength needed for pencil grip, scissor grip, and handwriting/typing

#5- Swing

  • Stimulates the vestibular system which is responsible for balance, coordination, and spatial orientation
  • Develops body coordination
  • Develops internal body rhythm needed for reading fluidity
  • Develops upperbody and hand strength needed for pencil grip, scissor grip, and handwriting/typing
  • Develops core strength needed for upright postures to promote better handwriting, attention, and concentration
  • The child pushing the swing is receiving deep proprioceptive input needed for calming and organizing the body
  • Parents may even want to consider putting up wooden swings in their garden as a way of keeping their kids active and entertained around the home

#6 Look Out Area

  • Promotes body and spatial awareness needed for self-control and personal boundaries
  • Fosters creativity and imagination
  • Exposes children to heights to decrease gravitational insecurity and increase body awareness

#7 Play House

  • Promotes social interaction and speech development
  • Builds independent problem solving skills
  • Encourages role playing
  • Fosters creativity and imagination
  • Develops friendship bonding skills and self-confidence

Feel good about sending your kids out to play as its benefits extend far beyond the confines of the playground!

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Related

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities, Handwriting Help Tagged With: academic activities, learning activities, playgrounds

Disclaimer

Kids Play Smarter is a blog about general ideas, theories, and concepts related to the field of occupational therapy and the growth and development of all children. The information presented on this blog is not intended to serve as or replace occupational therapy services for your child. The information on this blog is for entertainment, informational, and educational purposes only. This blog is not meant to replace formal professional consultation or evaluation from a qualified clinician. All children need to have the approval of a physician to participate in physical activities, including those described on this blog. In addition, children need to be supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times when completing activities that are illustrated and described on this blog. The author of this blog is NOT responsible or liable for any damage, injury, accident, illness, death, or adverse reaction due to participation in the activities described on the website.

Comments

  1. Chuck Habing of Bouncing Teeter Totters says

    February 24, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    This article highlights all the more the many reasons that children need some playground time, or recess, during the school day. Sadly a recess period is not available a lot these days. I liked this article partly because of the breakdown of the individual pieces of the playground equipment and the associated benefits of each piece.

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      March 14, 2017 at 2:06 am

      Thank you Chuck. I couldn’t agree more about the importance of recess.

  2. Brynne Jones says

    August 1, 2017 at 12:53 am

    I didn’t realize that there were so many benefits of children playing on swings! It makes sense that swinging could help in developing an internal body rhythm needed for reading fluidity. My sister is a mother to 5 small children. Investing into some playground equipment could be beneficial to her family.

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      August 1, 2017 at 12:00 pm

      Absolutely! Plus, getting the kids outside playing has lots of additional benefits too! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

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