Discusses safety aspects of tree climbing and the use of sand in outdoor play areas at day care centers. Specifies ways to prune trees so that they are unclimbable and methods for maintaining sand areas. Includes a recipe for sand disinfectant. (MDM)

Provides detailed plans for the construction of 11-by-11-by-5.5-inch hollow wooden blocks that can be constructed with simple tools by child-care providers and parents. Children's play with hollow blocks, which can also be constructed half- and double-size, allows them to develop muscular coordination and assists in their social and emotional…

This report reviews a practicum designed to study and address problems of the physical play environment of a preschool which served children of 2 to 5 years. The goals of the practicum were to: (1) increase the amount of time children spent in physical play activities; (2) enhance the play environment by the addition of at least 10 pieces of…

The work of a contemporary landscape architect is a living realization of the possibilities for increasing children's learning by improving play environment. The designer's philosophy and photographs of six playgrounds are contained in this bulletin, directed wherever there is need to make parks and school playgrounds open, aesthetic, and…

Describes an incident in an experimental school where use of children's imagination and creativity are utilized to overcome pupil boredom. (SL)

Describes the custom-designed, outdoor Jessie Stanton Developmental Playground. Cites it as a successful example of collaborative effort between New York University Medical Center and the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped of the U. S. Office of Education, the funding agency. (Author/JN)

The mother of a Down's syndrome four-year-old describes how a slight adaptation in a playground swing allowed her son to experience the joy of independent play. (CL)

Forty-five children, ages seven to eight, were required to catch playground balls of various sizes and colors. The smallest ball (6 inches) was caught significantly better than larger ones. Although the main effect for color was nonsignificant, children caught preferred-color balls significantly better than others. Males caught better than…

Students in grades three to four can collect, analyze, and represent data in order to determine which piece of playground equipment appears most popular. Students in grades five to six can investigate the geometry of playground structures using measurement and scale models. Lesson plans and reproducible worksheets are included. (CMS)

Six playground skills of 37 moderately mentally handicapped students in mainstreamed elementary schools were evaluated. Results suggested these children are ill prepared for participation in mainstream recess and lunch hour activities. Although subjects usually could run and jump independently they were less skillful at climbing, swinging, and…

Though efforts to improve playground safety are consistent and ongoing, there has been no significant reduction in the rate of serious injuries. The article lists factors to consider when designing a safe playground, emphasizing the risk-taking inherent in children's play. (SM)

Describes easy to implement exercises that are designed to promote interest in physics by changing the laboratory environment. (ZWH)

This article describes a one-week indoor boy's physical education unit consisting of playground games and circus stunts. (RC)

This book contains descriptions and illustrations for 49 pieces of handmade or improvised equipment suitable for children. Included with each piece are: (1) information pertaining to the objectives for using the equipment; (2) necessary materials and instructions for construction; (3) suggested individual, partner, and/or group activities for use;…