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The Science of Play: How Playground Equipment Boosts Child Development

Posted by The Wicksteed Team, 27 Oct 23

News and Articles

We all have memories of playing as children, whether it be in school, at home, or in a playground. When we talk about playing, it’s usually contrasted against education and learning – but the fact is that play is an essential component of a child’s growth and development. Although you might intuitively understand the value of playtime for your little ones, what might surprise you is the depth of scientific research that supports the role of play in shaping the minds and bodies of our children.
In this article, we’ll take you through the profound impact that play has on various facets of a child’s development. From physical prowess to emotional intelligence, and from cognitive leaps to social skills, play is the catalyst that can ignite change and set your child on the path to a brighter, more vibrant tomorrow.
 

Physical Development

We might see them all the time, but some of the most essential playground equipment – including swings, slides and roundabouts – help to nurture the physical skills that children intuitively develop from birth. These activities encourage children to move and exert themselves in ways that aren’t possible at home, giving them the opportunity to understand their physical limits, practice core balance, and test their coordination, all the while associating these experiences with positive emotions that remain as memories for a long time.
For example, in the book Encouraging Physical Development through Movement-Play, Archer and Siraj make the claim that the gradual movements of an infant act as a foundation for a child’s overall physical development: ‘When infants learn to crawl […] they begin to develop the fine motor skills essential for writing, drawing, throwing and catching a ball […] Later, more challenging and vigorous movement activities are learned and refined, such as climbing high on a climbing frame or wall, or swinging high on a swing’ (p. 2-3).
 

Cognitive Development

In the same chapter, Archer and Siraj make the case that core mathematical concepts, like rhythm, are embedded within these activities, and that they help children develop an understanding of spatial relations. This is just one aspect of cognitive development that playground equipment can encourage, but there is a myriad of other opportunities for children to explore.
Some playground equipment inspires children to start solving problems and puzzles, such as play panels that present them with a unique challenge. Other equipment gives the child a much more free-form experience that allows them to use their imagination to entertain and engage with others. Even the simplest multiplay structure can take on various shapes and formulations in the imaginative mind of a child, teaching them to expand their cognitive horizons, look at things from a different perspective, and find intuitive solutions to problems. Igniting a child’s natural curiosity about the world and the things around them can have an impact on learning for many children and has been deemed the “Curiosity Approach” by institutions such as Learning Journals.
 

Social and Emotional Development

Further to this, freeform playground equipment facilitates the development of social skills and emotional development in children, placing them in scenarios where they can explore cooperation, communication and conflict resolution in an imaginative and safe playground setting. Multiplay equipment especially is designed to allow children to experience unstructured (i.e. not regimented by adults) play together and learn more about each other, although the watchful eye of an adult is always a necessity!
As Playworld notes in their article about developing social skills through play, different kinds of play equipment allow children to practice skills such as:
  • Taking turns on equipment that is fun to use, but can only support one child at a time, like some springies. This equipment allows children to develop a sense of patience and joy in sharing.
  • Communication skills, especially on larger pieces of equipment or equipment that is designed for multiple passengers. By working toward a common goal, children learn how to express their needs in clearer and more confident ways.
  • Developing conflict resolution skills, especially when it pertains to respecting their peers’ personal space and understanding their right to play. A playground is a space of equality and inclusion that puts children on an equal footing and helps them to develop respect and understanding.
 

Inclusivity and Awareness

In more recent years, playground manufacturers have become acutely aware of the issues that traditional playground equipment presents to the development of differently-abled children. For example, a child who uses a mobility device may struggle to use a traditional swing, both due to the difficulties in getting onto the swing and the lack of additional security they may need. That’s why alternatives such as basket swings were developed, which offer easier access and a more robust support structure for differently-abled children, allowing them access to the same physical, cognitive and social developments that their peers have.
The idea of creating an inclusive space for all children is important, but we still have a long way to go to help children develop a more inclusive attitude to their peers. Studies such as Schulze, Lundström & Prellwitz, have shown that there is an “invisible barrier” between children with and without disabilities, and that segmenting a playground based on ‘inclusive’ and ‘able-bodied’ areas only widens this barriers. That’s why designing playgrounds that integrate inclusive equipment seamlessly is an important consideration for the future – to encourage more social interaction between different kinds of children and increase awareness and acceptance of each other.
 
All of these techniques for helping children develop should be a key consideration for playground designers, no matter where your playground is situated. In schools, playtime should be just as important as time in class to help children distinguish between and experience different kinds of learning. In parks and public areas, designers still need to be conscious of the benefits of different kinds of equipment to give children a robust and well-balanced experience every time.
If you’re planning a playground area but you don’t know where to start, consider Wicksteed’s playground design services. With over 100 years of experience in designing play areas, Wicksteed can help you to use your space effectively and will always champion equipment that helps children to develop physical, cognitive and emotional skills. You can reach out to us by phone, email, or contact form, and when you do you’ll be sure that our helpful and experienced team will help find the solution that’s right for you and your visitors.
  Read More
We all have memories of playing as children, whether it be in school, at home, or in a playground. When we talk about playing, it’s usually contrasted against education and learning – but the fact is that play is an essential component of a child’s growth and development. Although you might intuitively understand the value of playtime for your little ones, what might surprise you is the depth of scientific research that supports the role of play in shaping the minds and bodies of our children.
In this article, we’ll take you through the profound impact that play has on various facets of a child’s development. From physical prowess to emotional intelligence, and from cognitive leaps to social skills, play is the catalyst that can ignite change and set your child on the path to a brighter, more vibrant tomorrow.
 

Physical Development

We might see them all the time, but some of the most essential playground equipment – including swings, slides and roundabouts – help to nurture the physical skills that children intuitively develop from birth. These activities encourage children to move and exert themselves in ways that aren’t possible at home, giving them the opportunity to understand their physical limits, practice core balance, and test their coordination, all the while associating these experiences with positive emotions that remain as memories for a long time.
For example, in the book Encouraging Physical Development through Movement-Play, Archer and Siraj make the claim that the gradual movements of an infant act as a foundation for a child’s overall physical development: ‘When infants learn to crawl […] they begin to develop the fine motor skills essential for writing, drawing, throwing and catching a ball […] Later, more challenging and vigorous movement activities are learned and refined, such as climbing high on a climbing frame or wall, or swinging high on a swing’ (p. 2-3).
 

Cognitive Development

In the same chapter, Archer and Siraj make the case that core mathematical concepts, like rhythm, are embedded within these activities, and that they help children develop an understanding of spatial relations. This is just one aspect of cognitive development that playground equipment can encourage, but there is a myriad of other opportunities for children to explore.
Some playground equipment inspires children to start solving problems and puzzles, such as play panels that present them with a unique challenge. Other equipment gives the child a much more free-form experience that allows them to use their imagination to entertain and engage with others. Even the simplest multiplay structure can take on various shapes and formulations in the imaginative mind of a child, teaching them to expand their cognitive horizons, look at things from a different perspective, and find intuitive solutions to problems. Igniting a child’s natural curiosity about the world and the things around them can have an impact on learning for many children and has been deemed the “Curiosity Approach” by institutions such as Learning Journals.
 

Social and Emotional Development

Further to this, freeform playground equipment facilitates the development of social skills and emotional development in children, placing them in scenarios where they can explore cooperation, communication and conflict resolution in an imaginative and safe playground setting. Multiplay equipment especially is designed to allow children to experience unstructured (i.e. not regimented by adults) play together and learn more about each other, although the watchful eye of an adult is always a necessity!
As Playworld notes in their article about developing social skills through play, different kinds of play equipment allow children to practice skills such as:
  • Taking turns on equipment that is fun to use, but can only support one child at a time, like some springies. This equipment allows children to develop a sense of patience and joy in sharing.
  • Communication skills, especially on larger pieces of equipment or equipment that is designed for multiple passengers. By working toward a common goal, children learn how to express their needs in clearer and more confident ways.
  • Developing conflict resolution skills, especially when it pertains to respecting their peers’ personal space and understanding their right to play. A playground is a space of equality and inclusion that puts children on an equal footing and helps them to develop respect and understanding.
 

Inclusivity and Awareness

In more recent years, playground manufacturers have become acutely aware of the issues that traditional playground equipment presents to the development of differently-abled children. For example, a child who uses a mobility device may struggle to use a traditional swing, both due to the difficulties in getting onto the swing and the lack of additional security they may need. That’s why alternatives such as basket swings were developed, which offer easier access and a more robust support structure for differently-abled children, allowing them access to the same physical, cognitive and social developments that their peers have.
The idea of creating an inclusive space for all children is important, but we still have a long way to go to help children develop a more inclusive attitude to their peers. Studies such as Schulze, Lundström & Prellwitz, have shown that there is an “invisible barrier” between children with and without disabilities, and that segmenting a playground based on ‘inclusive’ and ‘able-bodied’ areas only widens this barriers. That’s why designing playgrounds that integrate inclusive equipment seamlessly is an important consideration for the future – to encourage more social interaction between different kinds of children and increase awareness and acceptance of each other.
 
All of these techniques for helping children develop should be a key consideration for playground designers, no matter where your playground is situated. In schools, playtime should be just as important as time in class to help children distinguish between and experience different kinds of learning. In parks and public areas, designers still need to be conscious of the benefits of different kinds of equipment to give children a robust and well-balanced experience every time.
If you’re planning a playground area but you don’t know where to start, consider Wicksteed’s playground design services. With over 100 years of experience in designing play areas, Wicksteed can help you to use your space effectively and will always champion equipment that helps children to develop physical, cognitive and emotional skills. You can reach out to us by phone, email, or contact form, and when you do you’ll be sure that our helpful and experienced team will help find the solution that’s right for you and your visitors.
  Read More