Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I came across this research paper and it intrigued me.  I am so interested in the outcome of play and how it affects children.  I personally believe that play should be an important part of the process of learning especially with the early years (0-6 years). The research was a fun and inclusive project.  The researchers explained and defined different areas of play; such as a playground and how each part is a learning process to benefit the young child. Here is the research paper that I came across and thought was a positive outcome for all and wanted to share with you all.

The Research Paper: The Benefits of Playgrounds

for Children Aged 0-5

Prepared for the Shasta Children and Families First Commission

by

Duerr Evaluation Resources

To summarize this paper the outcomes of the study states child’s play is not just all fun and games. The act of play is a crucial component in the successful growth of the brain, body, and intellect. Playing promotes brain development and helps lay the neural grid for a successful mind through repetitive play actions that reinforce that grid. Playing promotes physical success by allowing the child to explore, test, and expand the limits of the growing body. And playing promotes social, intellectual, and oral skills by allowing the child to interact with their peers and environment.

Playgrounds by their very name are grounds on which to play. But they are more than that, playgrounds provide a safe environment designed specifically to foster and enhance the opportunities for a child to play alone, with a caregiver, or with other children. Given the importance of play in the development of a child, any space which gives a child free reign to do just that should be seen a crucial component in a child’s life. Playground equipment and space can meet the needs of children 0-5 by providing different opportunities to engage in appropriate developmental play. Playgrounds are, it is important not to forget, fun for children and this fun will have lasting positive effects on their development. ("First 5 Shasta | Early Childhood Development", n.d., p. xx-xx). Play empowers use and development of essential brain development, Social skills, Language development and Motor skills.

First 5 Shasta | Early Childhood Development. (n.d.). Retrieved

 from http://www.first5shasta.org/pdfs/playgrounds0102.pdf