We Speak Playground

Over the last 20 years, due primarily to the enactment of No Child Left Behind in 2002 and the adoption of 2010's Common Core State Standards, test scores have become increasingly more important for schools in the United States. Sadly, uninterrupted and unstructured playtime in the form of recess has simultaneously become increasingly more rare.

Summer is here and the heat is unrelenting. It's important for kids to spend time outdoors playing, but it's also challenging when the heat index is so high. 

Childhood obesity has hit an all-time high. The CDC reports that almost one out of every five school-aged children suffers from obesity. Obesity carries with it a plethora of negative consequences for kids. These include problems with self-esteem, health issues, reluctance to socialize, and more. Of course, no parent wants to see a child suffer from being out of shape, let alone obese. Even so-called normal-weight children often don’t get enough exercise. With the abundance of passive playthings like computers, tablets and cell phones, children are even less likely to get the amount of exercise that they need to thrive and grow.

Playgrounds as we know them are a relatively recent phenomenon. Few existed before the 20th century. Many sources claim that the first planned playground in the United States appeared in Boston in 1886, a year after a recreational "sand garden" was created in Germany. The rise of playgrounds coincided with the expansion of industrialization and the middle class, as well as the expansion of urban areas.

We talk a lot about the importance of playing on the playground for children. Playing on the playground plays a vital role in the development of a child, it provides them with a healthy dose of vitamin C, it’s a great form of exercise, it helps them learn social skills and it’s just plain FUN. 




The holidays are upon us and that means colder weather and children out of school. For every excited kid, there’s an equally unexcited parent — not that we don’t love our kids, but it’s hard to keep them entertained indoors throughout the entire winter. So what’s a quick fix before cabin fever sets in? Don’t keep them indoors — let them play outside in the cold weather!

When you look back on your childhood memories, what comes to mind? I’m sure there are memories with your parents and memories from school that come to the front of your mind, but what do you remember after that?