The importance of playgrounds!

22 Nov The importance of playgrounds!

Here in Hoppers Crossing and the surrounding suburbs we are lucky to have so many great playgrounds around! Spending time at playgrounds is great for childhood development. Some paediatric physiotherapists often refer to playgrounds as gyms for children. You may have even seen adults using them as gyms for themselves from time to time. They are also a great place for socialising and imaginative play which are also key aspects of childhood development.  

From a physiotherapist perspective some of the specific activities you can do at playgrounds and their benefits are as follows. 

Climbing 

• Climbing on robes, ladders, steps and all other objects around the playground! 
• Benefits core strength, leg strength, arm strength (sometimes), coordination and balance 

Monkey bars 

• Arm strength, Core strength, coordination 
• Tip: Start by helping your child to hand off the bar, once they can hang for about 10s independently help them to move to the next bar one hand at a time. Once they can do this encourage them to swing between bars! 

Swings 

• Core strength and coordination  
• Encourage your child to use their legs to gain momentum and swing independently! 

Slides 

• Core strength! 

Spinning playthings  

• Core strength, leg strength and balance 

All the different objects that are hard to stand on 

• Balance 
• Improving balance is really important to help your child with other activities such as running, kicking and jumping.  

Above are just a few of the fantastic benefits of playgrounds. As the months are getting warmer here at Western Paediatrics, we encourage you and your family to go and explore some of the different playgrounds around your area and beyond.  

See the below link for playgrounds in the werribee area!

https://www.visitwerribee.com/see-do/parks-playgrounds

Please remember to always supervise your children whilst at the playground!