Play-Action+Plan

First, by preparing our Play-Wiki page... we have access to multiple venues for sharing our information. ** Second, by posting our Play-Wiki page on our own social site pages… Facebook…LinkdIn…MySpace…Twitter… we will help create an awareness and perhaps a “movement” toward the realization of the importance of outside play ** Third, by providing specific design ideas... people will not be stymied or intimidated by “the next step”, but rather excited by the possibilities in our ideas and... in their own ideas which are triggered by our enthusiasm!
 * ACTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING OUR POSITION... **
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Fourth, by providing Design and Interaction ideas... others can access the brainstorming experienced on our own playgrounds and those of others shared on their websites.

Fifth, by sharing the references we have accessed... others can read and find out more about what interests them. **

In order to optimize dramatic play on the play ground there are some considerations as to what materials you want to put into your playground.We need to keep in mind the children’s creativity and intensity of play.Instead of putting castles or plastic animals in the playground consider putting cubby’s or logs.The cubby can be a house, fort, castle, or whatever the children want it to be.The log can be a horse, camel, car, bus, or again whatever fits into the children’s play.“A child’s healthy development must include opportunities to play and explore nature, run around, climb, imagine, problem solve, and create.” (Lovatt, 2010)

To encourage children’s problem solving and negotiating skills they need to play games without the restriction of teacher’s rules.Let children be free to create their own games and rules that surround the game.The teacher should not be completely absent from the scene but should only intercede when children cannot solve the problem on their own.

When children are given the opportunity to play outside they will have many experiences to talk about.“Whether a child spends outside time alone or with friends he will have lots to tell his parents about what he did, what he saw, and how he felt.New experiences are opportunities for children to share their inner life with loved ones.” When children share their experiences they are enhancing their language abilities and social emotional development as well." (Lovatt, 2010)

Lovatt, C. (2010). Free Play Outside: Excellent for Healthy Child Development. Retrieved June 22, 2010, from Suite101.com: http://early-childhood-development.suite101.com/article.cfm/free-play-outside-excellent-for-healthy-childhood-development#ixzz0sGMtoX3Y