Little Big Kids (Ages 3-4): Playground Safety

Happy playful children who are very eager to release themselves on the playground often forget what they have been told or never really understood about ways of having fun safely on the playground. These materials are designed to assist children in learning safe play habits on the playground and to continue to reinforce that learning.

To a child, a playground is anywhere-at school, down the block, at a friend’s house, or in the backyard. Since adults cannot always be around to assist children to learn playground safety behavior, the importance of selecting the right equipment cannot be overemphasized. It must be installed and maintained correctly and consistently and, more importantly, children must be taught and reminded how to use playground equipment safely. Play is in the nature of children. It is not merely an “extra” or inconsequential part of a child’s life. It is through play that children imitate adults and learn adult habits; through play they learn to be social beings– they learn how to interact with others, to take turns, to share, and to cooperate. Through play, children first learn about life by imagining, creating, and designing their own life situations. They learn to think through play; to live out their dreams. They develop muscles and muscle coordination; they learn how healthy physical play is for them–how it helps them to grow and strengthen their bodies.

Play, therefore, is important to children and to all parents and adults. If children are to grow and learn, they must do so safely. Toys and games, bicycles, sports equipment, swimming pools and playground equipment must be designed with safety in mind. It is natural that children will roughhouse on the playground. This type of behavior, however, sometimes leads to accidents. It is necessary, therefore, to change the child’s behavior. In trying to motivate children toward playing safely, the positive approach is preferred. Children should not be frightened into changing their behavior on the playground. The idea of “Play Happy, Play
Safely” should be emphasized–for example, “Sit in the swing,” or “Hold on with both hands” rather than “Don’t fool around on the
monkey bars. ”

Older children should be taught that it is important for them to play safely because younger brothers and sisters will imitate them. They should be encouraged to take the responsibility of helping younger children play safely on the playground and on equipment that is appropriate for their age group. You can play an instrumental role in helping children learn to “Play Happy, Play Safely.” You can teach children how to use each type of playground equipment by pointing out the following safe play habits to them:

Swings

Tell children to:

• Sit in the center of the swing; never stand or kneel.
• Hold on with both hands.
• Stop the swing before getting off.
• Walk way around the swing– not too close to the front or the back.
• Never push anyone else in the swing or allow others to push them.
• Have one person in one swing at one time.Avoid swinging empty swings, and to never twist swing chains.
• Avoid putting head and feet through exercise rings on the swing sets.