playground equipment directory

Encouraging Emerging Skills

• Your child's play equipment should go beyond meeting his current developmental needs. Even though it should meet age-graded guidelines, the items should help your child to reach the next level, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. For example, toddlers are just starting to develop a sense of imagination and are beginning to engage in pretend play. If you have a 2-year-old you might want to select equipment that feeds into her growing ability to engage in pretend play. This may include a puppet theater or a kitchen set. While these play items are also appropriate for preschoolers, if your child is 3 years old or older you could also include equipment that builds more sophisticated skills. After age 3 most children have the motor abilities to play on slides, climbers and swings, notes the Consumer Products Safety Commission.Commercial playground