Preparing The Environment/ Outdoor Play Area Chapter 8

Outdoor Play Area Kentucky (required) - 35 square feet for indoor space and 60-70 square feet per child for outdoor space. A well-planned play yard usually has empty space and a wheeled vehicle path. The path should be wide enough and clear enough so children can see all areas of the play yard Empty space should be located in the center of the yard

Outdoor Play Area Equipment should be far enough apart so a child using one piece of equipment cannot touch a child using another piece of equipment All equipment should be visible to the teacher from any spot in the yard.

Outdoor Play Area Children should not have to walk through one area to get to another. Between one-third and one-half of the yard should be used for play equipment and the remainder should be open space to allow for ease of movement.

Outdoor Play Area Other factors to consider when planning an outdoor play yard: Fencing Sandbox Stationary Equipment Water Landscaping Animal Shelter Storage Shed Surfaces Wheeled Toy Paths

Two types of fencing usually found in centers: Fencing/Surfaces Two types of fencing usually found in centers: Chain link Wood Surfaces: Grass- a portion of the play yard area should have grass Under equipment- best material would be bark nuggets, shredded bark, or sand A good cushion required 9 to 12 inches of loose material!

Landscaping A well-landscaped play yard makes for pleasant surroundings. To promote learning you could have trees, shrubs, and flowers in a variety of sizes, colors, and growing cycles! (This will ensure children will always have a seasonal plant to study and view Make sure no plants are poisonous

Storage Shed Tricycles, wagons, scooters, shovels, rakes, balls, plastic wading pools, and gardening tools are some items you would see. Storage space should be arranged so children can return materials themselves.

Wheeled Toy Paths A path that children can use to push or ride wheeled toys Is key for two reasons: 1. Safety- path with one ways traffic 2. Protection of the outdoor play area- gives children a place to ride so they do not destroy grassy areas The path should be joined to the storage shed

Stationary Equipment Examples- jungle gyms, slides, and tree houses Place large pieces of stationary equipment in different corners of the play yard For safety reasons space is also needed

Sandbox/Animal Shelter Place sandboxes in shady areas so children are not at risk of sunburns. Place a sandbox near a water source If you do have animals make sure they have cages. Place the cages where animals will be protected from wind, sun, and rain.

Elements of Safe Outdoor Play S. Supervision of children in the outdoor play area A. Age Appropriate equipment in the play area F. Fall surfacing in the proper depth under equipment over four feet in height E. Equipment maintenance

Definitions Fall zone-the area around play equipment designed to ensure that children fall onto soft, rather than hard surfaces. Appropriate shock absorbing materials- 9 inches of wood chips or shock absorbing rubber

What is the value of having a sensory rich outdoor area?