We Speak Playground

Normally when the days get longer and the weather becomes nicer, you'll see kids flocking to the playgrounds, basketball courts, soccer fields and more to enjoy time outdoors. Then, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and playgrounds across the country were shuttered in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Now that the country is opening back up, so too are playgrounds - and that's a good thing.

The pandemic has thrown a wrench into nearly everyone's plans, and it doesn't help that Texas has not seen the decline in cases that we were hoping for after reopening. The threats have caused nearly every industry to rethink plans, including several school districts that have already come out with potential schedules for the 2020 - 2021 year. We'll look at how this could have an impact on the construction schedule of recreation structures and what everyone can do to minimize the disruption. 

Visiting the playground is likely one of your child’s favorite activities. The playground is also where you child learns to interact socially with other children and gets that much needed physical exercise. It’s unfortunate that the playground is also a source of germs, but there are some clever ways to avoid germs on the playground.

Perhaps few groups of children have struggled with inclusion as much as people with sensory issues, and of course, parents who care for them. So many community activities provide an amount of stimulation that people with sensory disorders find overwhelming, uncomfortable, or even painful. The good news is that the Houston Metro Area has begun to provide some sensory-friendly opportunities for community and family fun.

At May Recreation, we know how important communities are. There has been no time in recent history when this has been more true than during the coronavirus outbreak. Our first responders, medical professionals, local school personnel, including teachers, educators and administrators, grocery store clerks, postal employees, delivery drivers, pharmacists, garbage collectors and so many more, are putting their lives on the line to provide vital services to the communities in which they live and serve. We'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their efforts and to thank them for the essential care, supplies, and services they are providing to their communities during this difficult time.

Social distancing – it’s like a never-ending rainy day, without the rain. We’re not stuck indoors due to anything our kids can see and the electricity still works; thank goodness! With many adults now unexpectedly working from home and schools closed, the simple answer for an activity is indulging in different forms of screen time on repeat. But we all know the easy way out isn’t always the best way.

Click here to download a copy of Cleaning Miracle Equipment to Remove COVID-19.

Please use the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations for disinfection to remove COVID-19 from your Miracle equipment.

Childhood obesity has become a growing problem in recent generations. With today's technology-driven landscape, many kids don't move as much as they should, which means they're not burning calories. As a result, their bodies accumulate more fat than generations before them did. According to the CDC, obesity affects about 13.7 million children and adolescents between the ages of two and 19, which is about 18.5% of that population. Children between the ages of 12 and 19 have the highest obesity rates, measuring at 20.6% of the population. 

We all want to teach our children how to make the world a better place. In most cases, this starts with small ideas that make a huge difference. In fact, it is always a great idea to show our little ones that it doesn’t take a huge amount of money or a ton of skill to really brighten someone’s world. Here are a few of our best tips on how to incorporate random acts of kindness.

This is a different world that we live in. Kids are exposed to life at a far more rapid pace than ever before, which can lead to serious issues such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. According to MentalHealth.org, an alarming 70% of children and young people who experience mental health problems have not had sufficient medical intervention at an appropriate age. The CDC defines mental disorders among children as situations that seriously change "the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems getting through the day."