Age-Appropriate Play
The Importance of Age-Appropriate Play
When we look at the developing child and the various ages and stages of development, age-appropriate play is key to their emerging sense of self, other, and the environment. Infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children all grow and develop over time with tremendous potential and opportunity. These opportunities are found in creativity and self-expression, connections to others, building, maintaining, and sharing play experiences, and coming to know more about themselves and the world around them, all which are at the heart of play.
Age-appropriate play focuses more specifically on the developmental ages and the general guidelines for safe, appropriate and stimulating play equipment, as seen in the Public Playground Safety Handbook created by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Grounds For Play is at the very heart of age-appropriate play opportunities through the materials, equipment they provide, all which will be explored in this article. It is clear that the Grounds For Play philosophy, mission, and basic premise incorporate a strong developmental and play-based focus to learning for children of all abilities and age ranges. We design age-appropriate spaces including toddler playgrounds and more complex play equipment for older children.
In this white paper you'll learn:
- How age-appropriate play is central to children's overall development
- Ways to provide your play area with age-appropriate opportunities
- And more!
