I worked before at a playground, encountering different kids. Nevertheless, I loved my job. Their giggles are just so lovely and even in a short span of time, I’ve collected a fair share of musings.
Photo courtesy of playgroundquipment.com
The playground is vital to a child’s development. Kids get joy, fun and exercise from the playground equipment. It’s amazing seeing them, but what’s even more amazing is when one discovers simple things about life through them.
Children are always happy riding the see-saw. It doesn’t matter whether they’re up or they’re down. They enjoy every side of it, just like how we should enjoy life’s ups and downs. Whatever side we’re on right now, we should know that it’s part of life.
As adults, we get tired from work and we reject a few invites going out just so we could sleep on Friday nights. But at the playground, children love company! Whether or not they are sleepy or tired, they continue to play and hang around with friends. It’s as if they have an unlimited supply of energy.
The company of others is valuable; it’s what keeps the children from being lonely and what makes the playground a happier place. It lets people know that they are important.
Children accept other kids regardless of their looks. Of course, this isn’t true for everyone. One may look different, but still I see them playing down the slides all together. They giggle and freely speak to each other about everything and also empathizing with one another.
Today, people’s judgments are getting ahead of such. But don’t we fail to realize that by judging people, we lose the chance of having good relationships?
It’s good to always know who you are. Know that it’s alright to keep a different interest from the people around you even if you have to go against them; you can still pursue what you’ve always wanted.
To get to that long, final slide, kids have to go through other slides and stairs. Children find it fun and challenging. Most kids are competitive; racing and trying to get to the end faster than others.
Similarly, we, have to go through obstacles to reach our goal. It’s not easy and not a smooth journey. We’ll meet others along the way, but we must enjoy the challenge and the competition. We all need stepping stones to get us up the pedestal.
Imagine a 15-foot playground slide, and kids not even 3 feet high are climbing to the top, holding their breath before they go. Within a few seconds, your hear “Ahhhhh!” — the long stretch of joyful screaming.
Parents are scared for their kids, too. Who wouldn’t be, when nearly 70% of those children in hospital emergency rooms are from playgrounds?
However, the same look of joy in their faces was there as they slide down. I knew that for a minute, parents were proud of their children’s fearlessness.
The playground has rules posted to remind kids and parents of their safety. We might think it’s only us who love to break rules, but children are no different and they need constant supervision.
To kids, it’s either they want it or they don’t. They don’t really think too much about how it’ll affect your view of them. While us, we tend to think a lot over small things and it complicates simple matters.
Wouldn’t it be easier for us to focus on what we truly want, and stop thinking about what others will think?
Some children cry because they get scolded when they lie; others are brutally honest and tell exactly what they see.
Kids use their imagination. If we don’t tell them that it’s wrong to say non-factual things, they may make it a habit to practice such. Some adults also gossip. But we should always be reminded, just like how kids should also be, that it’s not good to tell anything that isn’t factual.
Playgrounds help kids develop their oral skills by communicating what they feel, describing what they see and speaking freely.
On the contrary, adults carry too much issues that they forget to speak up. When someone has wronged another, authorities should still be notified, whatever age we may be at.
During playground games, little quarrels between children are normal. A little while, they start playing again like nothing happened. There are kids who even punch each other, just to see them build blocks together afterwards.
During playground games, little quarrels between children are normal. A little while, they start playing again like nothing happened. There are kids who even punch each other, just to see them build blocks together afterwards.
These playground experiences give them a first-hand knowledge of the real world. While they are familiar with shapes and colors, they are also being taught how to draw conclusions and how it is to gracefully accept change and let things and issues go.
A fight is a fight but when it’s over, kids forgive and they play again. Unlike parents who hold grudges at times, kids forgive with all their heart and they let go because it’s over.
Kidsafe WA says that new environments such as playgrounds allow children to connect to other people to develop their social skills. Part of these skills is learning how to communicate with others to inform them how things are and to help them empathize with you.
Simply, we shouldn’t expect other people to just understand why we do such things. They wouldn’t know, unless we tell them.
Before leaving kids in the playground, parents tell them that they will be back. This assures children that they are attended to. Some still cry, but after some time, children playing on the other side give another assurance that it’s a safe place.
In their early age, such assurances teach kids a sense of trust and encourage them to develop their self-care skills as they only have themselves—no parents around—to keep them safe.
In my age, I don’t expect a lot of assurances from other people, but I want them to extend me some, if they can. It’s an added security to relationships and I know I can count on them.
I see kids sitting next to each other and helping one figure out how to solve a puzzle without the help being asked. Indeed, “Faith in humankind must not be lost”.
One of the kids solving the puzzle already left, but the other one who stayed tried and he finished it.
Such challenges help kids develop self-confidence in doing tasks they absolutely can accomplish. It reminds me that it really doesn’t matter if you are left to do something on your own; as long as you can and you will, you’ll definitely get it done.
As I interact with kids and their parents, learning lessons beyond their playground games and activities is just remarkable. I guess that these experiences shouldn’t be kept, and so I must share.
Whether you’re a parent or not, take time to always bring out kids to new environments such as playgrounds and parks. It won’t only give them space to grow and develop, but it might release you from tensions and give you unsullied and new-fangled perspectives in life.
Anna Rodriguez is a manager and a passionate writer. She owns Homey Guide Blog. You can follow her at @annrodriguez021.