Machinegunsandacameralens

It is Time to Play Toddlers!

A toddler’s world is playing time world. This is because all the time that they spend is for playing. They only stop playing when they are sleeping. Toddlers play with many toys in many shapes and sizes. Moreover, they tend to use their body when they are playing. They run, jump, crawl and so on.

Everywhere can be playground for toddlers. They can play in the outside and also inside the house. Thus, it is important to facilitate them with something that are suitable with their age and ability.

In this case, parents play the important role. Parents have to be able to choose the correct toys for their toddlers. This is done in order to support the growing of their toddlers. Thus, parents have to recognize what their toddlers need and choose which one is safe for them.

If you want to take your toddlers to the playground, make sure that the place is clean and free from many things that make them feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, it would be great decision when you take your toddlers to a certain place that can stimulate the movement of their muscles, legs and hand muscles as well as their whole body. Make sure that the place where you are going to take your toddlers is a trusted place. If that place is dangerous for them, it is better to take him to another playground.

Moreover, if you want to buy some toys for your toddlers, make sure that the material of these toys is safe for them. You have to pay attention to the toys whether they are soft or hard, sharp or blunt. Also, it will be better to consider the painting of the toys. Do not choose toys that are too small because they can be ingested.

Finally, always accompany your toddlers when they are playing. You can teach them many things. For instance, teaching him how to walk on a slippery playground, how to put their toys in order to make them stay in good condition, and so on. Thus, you can reduce the risks of your toddlers get injured or other unexpected things and you can make sure that your toddlers are safe.…

Playground Equipment in the Local Parks Have Changed

As a parent if you grew up in the 70s, 80s or 90s you have witnessed the changes at the local parks in the designs of playground equipment that are installed today. Years ago, I can recall one playground at a local park that a huge 10 to 12 foot tall metal slide. The ladder to climb up appeared to be two stories tall.

Imagine a young children climbing up this huge ladder to slide down on a hot metal slide. Obviously, this was a very dangerous piece of equipment for children to play on. Today, you should not find these types of unsafe equipment in the local parks but if you do never let your child use it. When visiting the park you should inspect the equipment your kids will be using. One thing to really look at is the ground cover underneath the play area. Look for debris, such as exposed pieces of cement when leg posts have been concreted into the ground. Visual inspection is a must for safe play. A touch of the hand on a slide will tell you quickly if it’s too hot for a child to use safely.

Most cities value there park areas and regularly perform maintenance the way they should. While most playgrounds appear to be safe, as a parent you need to be sure before allowing your child to use it. If you notice swings with damaged chains, loose hardware, wood that is cracked, rough or broken you should contact the city officials. Also, if you find graffiti, broken glass, etc this also warrants a call to the city. With new material’s and components that are used today, such as plastic, resin and wood play structures, safe play is easier than years prior. Another main reason, is the fact that many of the equipment is now deigned for a specific age range and skill level. Supervision is a park is a must, stay with your children and watch them carefully. The frequency of maintenance and inspections completed by schools and parks is based on several variables and hopefully completed in the timely manner to ensure safe play for all children.…

Bullies, Bystanders, and Heros

Popular media suggest that hero’s wear strange costumes and have super-natural powers such as the super hero images perpetuated in animation and sci-fi dramas. These images are entertaining but discourage viewers from recognizing and internalizing how they can behave as a hero. If people are brainwashed into believing that hero’s fly, have x ray vision, or have other mutant like qualities they are unlikely to recognize how small gestures like calling the police when someone is being harmed is heroic. This disconnect can breed complacency and encourage inactivity otherwise known as the by-stander effect.

By-standers are those who witness injustice and reinforce it through silence or turning a blind eye. When bystanders take photos or videos with their smartphones of a bully harming someone and later post these images online they quickly become cyber-bullies and further humiliate the victim. Cyber-bullies may have different motives and personalities than traditional bullies, however the insidious emotional harm and humiliation they create have the potential to become more devastating than the pain created by traditional bullies. The latter is in part due to the global distribution that an internet posting can have, particularly if the posting becomes viral and continues to get reposted and spread by viewers. For the victim, this is often experienced as an emotional mob attack on their identity and self. Cyber-bullies have recently been highlighted in the media because of the recent increase in the number of suicides that appear to be related to some form of cyber-bullying.

It is currently believed that bystanders hold the key to becoming a hero by simply taking direct or indirect action and putting an end to the antisocial behavior of bullies. Simply telling a bully to “stop” their antisocial behavior is a direct way of challenging bullies. However, indirect strategies can be just as effective and at times more prudent such as anonymously reporting a bully to the authorities, administrators, teachers, or parents. Other indirect strategies include avoiding any type of reinforcement that a bystander may be offering such as laughing or smiling at the bully while they are victimizing someone.

The line between being a by-stander and a hero or a future bully is small yet significant. By helping others learn how they can become a hero who takes action that significantly decrease the likelihood that someone else will continue to be victimized is a profound way to promote pro-social behavior. The latter is important in a time when many bystanders can easily become future bullies through the use of social media.…

Different Types of Playground Equipment

Playgrounds and playground equipment can provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages. There are especially liked due to the fact they usually involve apparatus which children cannot play with at home. Playgrounds are no longer limited to just a simple jungle gym or outdoor climbing frame, sandpit and slide but come in a huge variety of shapes, colours, textures and there is even musical equipment!

There are five main categories of playground equipment; sliding, spinning, balancing, hanging and climbing. The best playgrounds use a combination of these to provide children with a multitude of different stimulus which helps them to learn a variety of skills. Playground equipment suppliers can usually help you decipher which products will provide a great combination of apparatus to ensure all skills are catered for. Play equipment is a fantastic way for children to learn skills such as coordination and balance in a safe environment, in their own time and under no pressure.

Sliding equipment or slides are the traditional part of the playground and include both individual slides and add-ons to any sort of jungle gym or climbing frame. Nowadays the more popular slides include everything from bumpy, curvy and twisty slides as well as ones topped with a tunnel. As one of the most popular pieces of playground apparatus, it is essential piece for any good playground.

Spinning equipment has dramatically changed from the old style carousels which could be dangerous to a new style which involves a standing platform and central pole which children can stand on and spin. There are also large discs with a dip in the middle that children can sit on and spin. These are brilliant for children to learn how to control weight distribution and can be used both individually and within a group.

Balancing apparatus is now available in a huge variety of options which combine a number of skills. From the traditional rope bridge and balance beam, to far more challenging spring discs and swinging logs. These are traditionally used in playgrounds for schools but are available for local parks and play areas as well.

Hanging apparatus usually conjures up memories of those hours spent trying to master the monkey bars as a child. Monkey bars remain one of the most challenging pieces of playground equipment and are now available in a variety of lengths of solid bars, swinging trapeze, parallel bars and up and over bars. These pieces of equipment help children build up their upper body strength as well as providing a sense of achievement once they have completed them.

Climbing playground equipment is by far the most popular type of apparatus. Climbing frames remain one of the most popular pieces due to their vast variety of shapes, sizes and challenges. From the traditional jungle gym to the web climbers, rock climbing walls and net traverse, there is something to keep children constantly entertained as well as helping them exercise without knowing it!

It is essential to …