Rabu, 30 Maret 2011

Park play setup

Imagine your little junior climbing up this huge ladder to slide down on a hot metal slide. Obviously, this was a very dangerous piece of equipment for children to play on. Today, you should not find these types of unsafe equipment in the local parks but if you do never let your child use it. When visiting the park you should inspect the equipment your kids will be using. One thing to really look at is the ground cover underneath the play area. Look for debris, such as exposed pieces of cement when leg posts have been concreted into the ground. Visual inspection is a must for safe play. A touch of the hand on a slide will tell you quickly if it's too hot for a child to use safely.

Most playgrounds appear to be safe, as a parent you need to be sure before allowing your child to use it. If you notice swings with damaged chains, loose hardware, wood that is cracked, rough or broken you should contact the city officials. Also, if you find graffiti, broken glass, etc this also warrants a call to the city. With new material's and components that are used today, such as plastic, resin and wood play structures, safe play is easier than years prior. Another main reason is the fact that many of the equipment is now deigned for a specific age range and skill level.

I remember when I was a kid me and friend regularly used to visit to park and there way kids play ground in that Marry-go –round was my favorite .The friend of mine is to push the Marry –go-round faster than you could imagine, there I use to feel the wind in my hair. I certainly enjoyed them, basically the movement when the marry go round stops from the fast rotation and when I touch my feet on the ground I would fell like the whole world is moving with me that was my best experience in the marry go round, as I’m sure most of my peers did, and I’m alive to tell the tale. Although I will admit I also rode in cars without a seat belt, and rode bikes without a helmet. I wouldn’t let my own kids do those things, safety measures can (and do) save lives.

In these days, the manufacturers manufacture recreational equipments such as the see-saw, merry-go-round, swing set, slide, jungle gym, chin-up bars, sandbox, spring rider, monkey bars, overhead ladder, trapeze rings, playhouses, and mazes Playgrounds often also have facilities for playing informal games of adult sports, such as a baseball diamond, a skating arena, a basketball court, or a tether ball. "Public" playground equipment refers to equipment intended for use in the play areas of parks, schools, child care facilities, institutions, multiple family dwellings, restaurants, resorts, and recreational developments, and other areas of public use.

As of these play park will be having the all types of the safety measures but still parents supervising is needed because parents supervision will help prevent injuries by monitoring proper playground behavior, checking and ensuring playground equipment is safe for fun and is the right equipment for the age of the child, and the surface is appropriate - not uneven where trips and falls are likely. Should an unfortunate accident occur, an adult can help the child by giving first aid if necessary?

by: Priyanka Jha http://www.koochieplay.com

Tapping Your Child's Inner Motivation

This article addresses some practical questions raised by parents in response to my suggestion that praising too much is actually counter-productive while trying to motivate our children.

~~ But if I’m not praising and not punishing, what do I do instead? ~~

Try simply communicating your sincere admiration, gratitude, and appreciation when it arises. When your child does something admirable, let him know how you feel. “Wow! Do I count 20 towers on that sand castle?!” instead of “Good building, Johnny!” The difference is that when you admire or appreciate, you join him in his experience and there’s an alignment. When you praise, you derail his train and bring it over to your track.

When you are grateful for your child’s help, say so. When she shares a little known fact that she learned at school, your interest and attention are the reward. Becoming a valued and contributing member of the family and society is much more of a reinforcement than grades or a gold stars.

Try treating your child like you’d treat an adult neighbor or coworker. I don’t see my neighbors getting smiley stickers when they shovel their driveway or weed their garden, even if they do a really good job. And no one says, “Good gardening, Joe!”

Nonetheless, a well-maintained yard is a pleasure for the whole neighborhood, and I can let them know that I enjoy the fruits of their labors without praising them. A quiet and sincere comment of acknowledgment and appreciation goes a long way.

The difference lies in the intention. Kids recognize from a mile away that praise is really a sugarcoated agenda. Most of them prefer and respond positively to sincerity. Wouldn’t you?

~~But if I stop giving rewards they won’t be motivated to do anything! ~~

We each do dozens of things every day for no external reward. We sew or knit or paint or do woodworking just for fun. We strive to decrease our time or improve our score just for the thrill of growth and mastery. We wash dishes so we can eat from clean plates later. We stop at red lights even when there are no police cars in sight, because we want to arrive at our destination in one piece.

Babies learn to walk because their developing bodies drive them to do so, not because we clap and cheer at their first steps! It really is ok to leave them alone with their process. I’m not saying we can’t share in their delight. But they learn to walk even without any gold stars.

Doesn’t this make you wonder how many other accomplishments might be motivated by a similar internal drive if given the chance? Wouldn’t it be great to just relax and trust this intrinsic impulse?

If this subject intrigues you, be sure to check out the book Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn. It’s a fascinating read!


by: Karen Alonge  http://www.karenalonge.com

4 Tips for Getting Your Kids to Play More and Play Healthier

Kids just don't get enough time to play these days, and even when given the time they typically don't make the most of it. A combination of paranoia induced by mass media, busy schedules, a dependence on media, and new set of American values has kids spending too much time around the house and taking life a little too seriously. Far more than just an interesting development in modern human evolution, it's a trend that hinders your child's cognitive and physical development.

Here are 5 ways to get your kids acting more like kids and provide a healthier childhood.

1. Limit Time on Media

One of the first things you should do to get your kid's working from a different set of possibilities is to cut back time wasted on electronic mediums, like video games and televisions. Teach your children to learn and love the lost art of reading for pleasure. Get them involved in arts, music, and sports. Get them to be more creative with their time.

Also, encourage them to reject and avoid much of pop culture as well. Teach your children to think for themselves and their lives will be less subject to the whims of the crowd.

2. Set Them Free

Sometimes we try too hard to protect our kids and feel we need to watch over them every single second. We see horror stories splashed across sensationalist news media programs, and many parents don't realize that even though our worst nightmares are more publicized now they actually happen less than they did in the past. Our fears are often unwarranted.

Do dangers exist?

Sure they do, but part of your child becoming human is learning how to deal with the risks involved with living. Teach them the same rules your parents taught you about dealing with strangers and other risks, and then let them out of the house from time to time. The small chance of something happening is not worth hiding your child in a bedroom for the rest of their life.

3. Set Play Dates

While I find it a bit sad that it has become a necessary part of the American parent's life, sometimes we have to accept our rigid schedules and actually set dates and times for playing—whether it be a day at the park, the beach, or our own backyard. Sometimes we have to accept the way things are and do our best to get our kids what they need.

4. Make a Play Environment

Maybe you'll just never have the time to give the kids the unbridled activity they need. Maybe you understand the media horror stories are sensationalized but still don't want your kid running amuck, exposed to the risks, no matter how small they might be. But that doesn't mean you can't create an environment at home that is conducive to play.

A great way to do that is to set up a small playground in your backyard. Some swing sets, a slide, monkey bars—having a source of healthy activity right there at home means they can get everything they need without even leaving the perimeter of your yard. And for most kids, you'll have a hard time keeping them inside once something like this is provided.

By: James Druman http://www.SuperiorPlay.com