We tend to view the activity of playing as a non-serious pursuit -- kids' stuff -- with neither transcendence nor goal. We should remember, however, how much we ourselves learned during our earliest years while playing. Playing and learning are crucial for a child's development; and providing good play opportunities is a way to directly contribute to achieving this fundamental goal in the first stages of life.

Not only do children release energy and develop motor skills, balance and coordination through play, but they also forge their personalities through social activities while stimulating creativity, the capacity to reason and language skills. Through play, children create custom-made realities and experiences. They learn to resolve problematic situations, confront new challenges and set their sights on new goals, all of which foments their capacity to organize, plan and make decisions. Play activities, therefore, are invaluable "dress rehearsals" for their future lives.

• Designing a Playground
• The Play Area
• Playground Equipment
• Ensuring Safe Play Conditions