Find out more about how playground equipment can help kids of all ages do better at school.
Playgrounds are incredibly fun for kids of all ages, but did you know that they can also help improve learning outcomes in schools? The choice of surfacing materials, like wet pour rubber surfacing, is crucial for creating a safe and stimulating environment. School murals have the power to transform educational spaces into vibrant hubs of inspiration and creativity, enriching the learning experience for students of all ages. This transformation can greatly enhance students’ academic success, offering benefits that extend beyond the joy and laughter found in a well-designed playground environment.
If you are looking into funding a playground for your school, the information below could help you to gain even more reasons to push forward with your plans. Let’s take a closer look at how playground equipment enhances learning outcomes in schools:
Time In Nature
Time in nature is highly beneficial for children and helps them to feel more confident, less stressed, and more energised. This can only ever benefit their time in the classroom, as they can engage with the curriculum more enthusiastically, and are likely to be calmer and more focused having expended their energy outside.
When it comes to academic results, importantly, time in the school playground in the fresh air surrounded by nature can have a direct impact on a child’s academic results. In particular, because they are spending time away from screens, and excess screen time is thought to play a central role in potentially hindering the cognitive development of children and adolescents.
Exercise
Exercise is encouraged in many ways in the playground. Kids play and run, inventing games, jumping and crouching and having fun in the way that is natural to them. Equipment like climbing frames, swings, bridges and towers further encourage children to climb, grab, pull, push and work all their muscles and bones. This helps to build gross and fine motor skills, and aids balance, coordination and spatial awareness. Doing this helps kids to reach their recommended daily exercise goals, and helps children to reach better academic success in many ways, including:
- Helps children aged 7 and 11 with better emotional regulation, which then predicts better academic achievement in primary school
- The above results were more pronounced in children from lower socioeconomic settings
- Helps reduce depression and anxiety, resulting in better performance in school
- Allows children to express emotions in a healthy way outside of the classroom
- Natural endorphins are released from exercise promoting better mood and improved receptiveness to classroom activities
(Source)
Predominantly, improved emotional regulation is proved to occur as a result of exercise – which is encouraged in the playground – and that is a central contributory factor to better academic results for children across all ages.
Social Skills
Whether they are climbing up a climbing frame, playing hopscotch on some thermoplastic playground markings, or getting creative in the mud kitchen, children learn social skills in the playground. They have to listen to their caregivers to receive instructions, they have to take turns, and they have to engage with other children to create games, get into teams, and generally communicate over shared equipment. This is helpful for school performance as children are able to gain and grow self esteem, and confidently engage in both individual and group academic work in the classroom.
Learning Outside Of The Classroom
Playgrounds can actually become part of the lesson plan, so kids can benefit from what they are being taught, but in a different way outside in nature. This can be done with thermoplastic markings like bespoke thermoplastic markings from companies like schoolplaygroundpainting.co.uk, including numbers and letters, with planters(perfect for science projects), or with standard playground equipment used creatively – the options are endless. And if you need to install floor or playground markings, make sure to contact Marking contractors for hire.
Thinking Outside Of The Box
Creative and imaginative playground equipment like mud kitchens are able to encourage imaginative play, which help children to be expressive, develop language skills, improve social skills and develop empathy. Kids can also express their emotions in a safe environment, which helps improve academic performance (see above).
ADHD Specific Benefits
Around 3.6% of boys and 0.85% of girls aged 5-15 have ADHD, with many more likely to have a missed diagnosis as identification and diagnosis tools and methods continue to improve. Kids who need children’s ADHD management can benefit from playground time because exercise can help people with ADHD to focus, especially afterwards in an environment such as the classroom. The playground can also be a great tool to actively help children with ADHD to engage when they may find sitting still in a classroom challenging. You may consult with professionals to determine which ADHD Treatments for Children can be combined with physical activities at the playground.
Other children who may have learning difficulties and academic challenges can also benefit from time in the playground in different ways, especially if the layout and design is accessible and inclusive of all pupils.
Why Not Speak To The Experts For More Information?
Playground equipment plays a vital role in enhancing learning outcomes in schools by providing a multifaceted approach to education. Engaging in physical activity during recess not only improves students’ overall health and well-being, but it also fosters cognitive development, critical thinking skills, and social-emotional growth. The diverse array of equipment available, such as swings, slides, climbing structures, imaginative play spaces, and even Floor Markings, allows children to explore their environment, challenge themselves physically, and collaborate with their peers. This active engagement stimulates brain function, leading to improved focus and memory retention in the classroom. Furthermore, the inclusive nature of playgrounds nurtures a sense of belonging, empathy, and teamwork, essential life skills that contribute to a well-rounded education. Ultimately, playground equipment serves as a valuable tool in promoting a holistic approach to learning, fostering the growth of the whole child, and paving the way for academic success.
If you would love to enhance your school with a beautiful, well-designed playground, speak to a play equipment company today for more information. They can help you with funding information, and provide you with a quote specific to your school’s needs. With their help, you can further your plans to install a stunning new playground that not only gives your pupils hours and hours of fun, but one that also helps the children in your care achieve better results in the classroom, too.
