Play On!: How School Playgrounds Create Healthy and Active Students

Teachers, administrators, and parents value seeking out the most effective methods to educate children, whether that be comparing Phonics and Whole Language for reading instruction or evaluating traditional algorithms against the Window Box method for multi-digit multiplication. However, one concept that is often overlooked is the role recess plays in childhood development.

Recess is more than just a break; it provides children with opportunities for physical activity and fosters social connections with their peers. Read on to discover the transformative impact of recess on education and explore best practices for designing school playgrounds.

The Importance of School Recess

Recess can be just as important as classroom time when spent intentionally.

Physical Activity

• School playgrounds provide children with an environment for active play, fostering good exercise habits. This helps develop healthy bones and muscles and promotes heart and lung health. Our Xscape product line is designed to keep students moving. By eliminating platforms and packing the play area with ladders and overhead climbers, school-age children get a physical workout while having tons of fun!

Executive Function

• A study from Oregon State University found that recess helps children destress and enhance overall executive functioning, leading to better academic performance. The study also noted that school playground equipment often promotes repetitive and patterned movements, which improves attention spans and helps children perform to their fullest potential in class.

Socialization

• Building social connections is an important part of life, and school playgrounds are a great outlet for learning vital social skills. Equipment such as our Inclusive Whirl promotes collaborative play, creating a common ground where students can form friendships easily. Plus, it’s a great way to make any playground more inclusive and accessible for all students.

How to Design a School Playground

Creating a healthy outdoor space that promotes active play requires intentional planning. Fortunately, our parent company, PlayCore, developed Play On!® to help schools optimize their investment into school playground equipment. Created in partnership with Shape America and authored by experts from Louisiana State University, this resource guides schools on how to best utilize the six essential elements of play to create playgrounds that align with national physical education standards.

Play On! playgrounds qualify for National Demonstration Site status, providing schools with site-specific reports to measure their impact on community health and wellness. Schools often use these reports to advocate for increased physical education funding.

Case Study: Weller Elementary

Between budget constraints and language barriers, building a new playground at Weller Elementary seemed like an impossible goal. Despite this, the community of Springfield, MO came together to advocate for a new school playground that promoted health and wellness.

Inspired by the six essential elements of play from Play On!, Weller Elementary collaborated with GameTime to create a timeless space where every student can be active together. The system features many challenging climbers from our Xscape product line as well as inclusive sensory activities, allowing for every child to find their own play style. This playground is recognized as a National Demonstration Site and has transformed Weller Elementary into a leader in promoting active play.

Make a Difference with School Playground Equipment

From fostering healthy habits to boosting test scores, school playgrounds significantly impact students' lives. These playful spaces are where children discover more about themselves and learn how to interact with others, developing essential life skills and creating lasting memories.

Ready to start planning how you can encourage health and wellness at your school? Contact a GameTime representative today to learn more about our Play On! playground offerings.