Enriching Playtime with School Playground Markings
The Benefits of School Playtime
The school playground plays an integral part of our childhood. As a child, I would often rejoice when I heard the sound of the school bell signaling the beginning of playtime. Being given this short break allows for a significant impact on the education of children and the benefits of school playtimes are widely acknowledged.
Playtime should be valued as one of the most important parts of the school day. Increased physical activity has been shown to improve not only the physical but also the mental wellbeing of young children, and organised play can help to tackle instances of bullying by encouraging children to work together. Although there have been several case studies calling for schools to facilitate more physical activity during playtimes, due to a combination of factors, such as the pressures of the school curriculum and concerns over the deterioration of children's behaviour whilst at play, many schools in the UK have reduced the amount of time available at school for play each day.
Maximising Learning Potential with School Playground Equipment
It is essential for the grounds of your school as a whole to be maximised for learning potential. This includes both indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Whilst organised games and structured activities are both great ways to teach young children by learning through play, it is imperative that children are also allowed an amount of time each day for free play. Children will naturally become more physically active when the school playground allows them a more open-ended and non-competitive playtime. Introducing playground equipment to playtime is the perfect way to encourage this in young children and there are many benefits to be had from this type of play.
Playground Markings Improve Creative Development
Creative development is one of the areas of learning for the outdoor curriculum, and everybody knows that little kids have big imaginations. By incorporating playground markings into the school playground you are not only encouraging imaginative play and keeping them active, but enabling them to develop fundamental life skills such as social interaction which builds on their confidence and self esteem. Thermoplastic playground markings are brightly coloured and look very appealing to young children. Seeing these bold graphics appear across the usually dull tarmac of the school playground will instantly encourage them to explore their imaginations. School playground markings also encourage learning. They can aid literacy and numeracy skills with shapes and letters, knowledge and understanding with maps and roadways, and encourage interaction with peers using sport markings such as tennis and basketball courts.
Dynamic Playgrounds Increase Learning Power
Reduced playtime at school will have a negative impact on our childrens education. But providing dynamic playground environments can help by increasing the learning power of children whilst at play. However simply installing school playground markings, or some other form of playground equipment, in your playground will not make that much of a difference. It is of great importance that school involvement is utilised to ensure that the full potential of the playground equipment is maximised.
Author Bio: Hayley Reeve regularly writes about the benefits of learning through play on behalf of Sovereign Play Equipment - A leading school playground markings provider in the UK.