After coming back to our blog post-pandemic, there is really only one place for Playsmart UK to start; the importance of play for children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. How has childhood play been impacted by the lockdown and playgrounds changing over the pandemic?
Playgrounds are therefore essential. So, what happened to playgrounds during the pandemic?
Why Playgrounds are Important
Play for children is essential. Outdoor play encourages fresh air and a positive relationship with nature, whilst learning key skills and behaviours. From a socio-economic point of view, outdoor playgrounds are free and open to all. Therefore, children from all walks of life can meet and play in the same place. Issues of gender, race, and economic standings do not exist within the playground. The sole purpose is for a child’s socialising is to develop healthy relationships and social skills by mixing with everyone. Playgrounds are great places to support this.
Impacts of COVID-19
The spread of COVID-19 is a low risk for children under the age of twelve. This, coupled with the outdoors minimising COVID transmission, playgrounds pose a limited covid threat. The most important long-term effects are on social skills and health of children from disadvantaged ethnic groups. Especially those who live in inner cities and from low-income families.
Dr Tim Gill states that the end result for many children during the pandemic was: “Boredom, isolation, inactivity and poorer mental and physical health. The consequences for their development and wellbeing should not be underestimated.”
Understanding Lockdown and Playgrounds
Understanding the integral role of playgrounds for children, the government during the winter 2021 lockdown allowed play spaces to remain open. Subsequently, this helped to relax parents, removing anxiety and confusion over what they could and could not do. Child psychologists are hopeful that re-opening playgrounds will help mitigate and reverse these physical, emotional, and educational damages.
Playsmart as an expert in playground safety flooring is all too aware of the importance of play areas. The team at Playsmart has a passion for giving children a space to explore, play, and learn key life-skills. The coronavirus pandemic has been hard on everyone, but it’s our duty in society to protect the vulnerable. Therefore, making children’s play areas a safe space is first on our list of priorities. But even more is helping to improve the lives of all children from all backgrounds.