Outdoor Furniture

For indoor play, soft play equipment for preschool children is essential. Children and teachers alike dread dreary rainy days when outdoor recess isn’t possible. At times like these, having soft indoor play equipment is a real life-saver. Preschoolers are at an important stage in development. Physical, cognitive, emotional and social growth are all taking place at a fast pace. This is why classrooms must be filled with equipment that stimulates, but doesn’t over-stimulate these areas. A preschooler’s day should alternate between active times and quieter times to make the most of this important stage of development. Soft play equipment lets children utilize and build on all these skills at once. Some examples of good soft play equipment that fits this category are soft blocks that can be tossed about without injury, large interlocking foam pieces that can be used to build everything from a fort to a play-mobile, even floor sized foam puzzles and of course the standard soft dolls and plush animals for quiet cuddling and pretend play. Soft play equipment allows preschoolers to play without risk of injury, and it encourages interaction because kids find it fun to assemble things together. The tactile feel of soft play things delights youngsters too, and promotes more gentle play. Girls and boys are more inclined to play together with softer playthings since there is less rough-housing and more interaction. Ideally, preschool classrooms will be outfitted with a good variety of all play gear, including soft play equipment.

Whether it’s a place at the table, a mat to nap on, or a cubby for their supplies, it is important that no child in a daycare or schoolroom be left out of having their own classroom furniture. Ownership, even if just during the hours of school, is an essential concept that children acquire, and it is a concept that encourages responsibility. When a child knows that this is HIS cubby or school desk, for instance, he is much more likely to keep it neat than if children must compete to find a spot to store their possessions. Sharing is an important concept too, of course, and has its place. But children learn to respect property as well as learn boundaries when they have their own things. In a classroom, this means children should have their own classroom furniture, along with a cubby or locker to store their possessions, and - depending on the age group - a mat for nap time and even their own spot on the carpet for "circle time." Teachers quickly learn that the best way to do this is by using name tags, the bigger and brighter the better! Children love to see their own name and this is one of the first "words" they learn to spell. By placing a name tag on a desk or cubby, every child feels special and learns quickly to identify this name too. School should be about inclusion, not exclusion, so every child should have their own place and their own equipment.

Recess time is anxiously awaited each day by preschoolers as well as their teachers. Teachers enjoy getting a break from the classroom, and knowing that boisterous young ones will get a chance to burn off some energy outdoors. Kids look forward to going out to the playground simply because they are kids! In order for recess time to be safe and fun, it is crucial to have the right playground equipment. This is one area where schools or daycares should never cut corners. Well-made, sturdy equipment that is suitable for the age-group and constructed to stand up to daily use by many active children is the criteria that should be used. When looking for playground equipment, consider the age of the children who will be using it. Height standards apply for different ages, so equipment for preschool children should not exceed a safe height. This includes slides, swings, jungle gyms and play forts. Always assume that eventually a child will jump off of the equipment, even if it is not intended for that purpose! This is why playgrounds should have some type of yielding surface around and under play equipment, like sand or even grass, and never concrete. Of course, playground equipment needs to be fun and engaging, and suitable for tough active kids as well as the more timid types. Playforts, for instance, make a good choice for providing opportunities for social interaction, while jungle gyms are ideal for developing gross motor skills like climbing, and keeping kids physically fit. Variety ensures that boredom at recess won’t be a factor.