Playground Adventures

Five children created physical challenges using the play structure as a prop on the playground. The children climbed the poles, slides, and rails. As I watched, it appeared the children were practicing Ninja Warrior training like the popular TV show. The children performed exercises to enhance grip, strength, and balance during their challenges.

When immersed in play, many children enjoy taking risks and engaging in physical challenges as they search for the limit of their physical potential. Children are open to pushing physical potential during play. Play is a creative and exploratory process for children with no limits and many opportunities for success and adventure.

While the children created their next physical challenge, I noticed other children relaxing under a tree. A few children were reading, while other children were socializing with friends. One group of children admired the bugs crawling around a tree and tried to get them to walk on their hands. I noticed a small group of children using sidewalk chalk to decorate the basketball court with colorful drawings as I turned my head.

On the playground, children choose activities that fit their interests. Not all children like to be physical or have high energy. There is always a group of children who use the play structure as a prop. They utilize the play structure to relax and engage in dramatic play that is less physical. These children prefer to engage in social connections for relaxation and choose calm instead of high movement activities. 

As the children continued designing Ninja Warrior challenges, other children noticed. Some children asked the original group what they were playing, which started a discussion. A few children from the inquiring group decided to try the physical challenges. The new child Ninjas struggled to complete the challenges, but they appeared to be enjoying the stimulating play and kept coming back for more.

Some children are more adventurous than others and motivate other children to try new challenges. Educators can learn much from children in viewing risk and reward. The children I observe on the playground only see the rewards of trying something new. If the idea does not work the first time, they dust themselves off and try again. As adults age, we lose some of that openness that characterizes childhood. As educators, the more open we are to challenges, the more benefits we will reap from each experience.

All good things must come to an end, and recess for this day was over. The children collected themselves, and we moved inside to start our afternoon work. As we walked in, groups of children talked and reflected on their experiences during the playground session. There was also talk of what could have been if we had more time. 

What will happen tomorrow as we spend time on the playground? 

A new creative play experience full of possibilities.