Playground equipment provides a wealth of learning opportunities for children. Physical activity and improving body strength are the most obvious ones but there are many that are more subtle. These include imaginative skills and social & emotional development. Playgrounds give children the opportunity to challenge themselves in safety. This helps to increase their confidence and build up their self-esteem.
Risk taking is an integral part of growing up and helps children to strive for future success. Life without risk becomes stagnant and hinders progress. Increasing traffic and the reduction of green spaces make it more difficult for children to take risks. Therefore playground equipment plays a major role in allowing children to challenge their fears and escape from their comfort zone.
Confidence is knowing your strengths and self-worth. People with high confidence are able to celebrate their success and learn from their mistakes. A pilot study at the University of Melbourne saw a correlation between confidence in children and success later on in life. Exercise plays a major role in improving confidence because your body releases endorphins which make you feel good. (Source: lifehacker.com) Playground equipment provides all of the elements for children to take risks and increase their confidence.
Confidence is the driving force behind everything we do. Without confidence, we become fearful of every decision we make and our ability to solve problems. Lack of confidence results in isolation and inertia. Children with low self-esteem find interaction with others difficult, are prone to bullying and miss out on doing a wide range of activities.
Confident people are more successful, sociable and enjoy many exciting life experiences than those with low self-esteem. Even people who exude confidence have to overcome their fears and feelings of self-doubt. Learning how to overcome our fears takes courage and the ability to accept change is uncomfortable and difficult. Sometimes we have to, ‘fake it until we make it’ which means we have to act confident until we actually feel confident.
We build up confidence by continually trying and gaining experience. Our confidence wavers throughout our lives and we have periods where it is high and low. The secret is being able to believe in our own self-worth to help us to overcome episodes of low confidence.
Play encompasses a wide range of learning experiences which set children up for life. It helps children to develop cognitively, imaginatively, socially, physically and emotionally. The most vital brain development occurs during the early years where children’s brains are most pliable. Brain development is 90% complete by five years old. Therefore learning through play is essential even before children start school. Children continue to learn through different types of play throughout their lives.
There are many different types of play including; heuristic play, social play, parallel play, cooperative play and imaginative play. Playground equipment helps children to build up their confidence while they play. Physical play improves balance and spatial awareness which helps children to move easier and be aware of the world around them.
Playground equipment provides the perfect opportunity for children to build up their confidence by challenging themselves to scale heights and traverse across gaps. Children build up their courage by moving out of their comfort zone and doing things they find scary. Overcoming fear helps children to develop confidence in all aspects of their lives.
If you would like to discuss our range of playground equipment contact us and we would be happy to discuss your options.
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