Category Archives: Inclusive Play

Inclusive play across the lifespan

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Last week’s post, Teaching kids to be accepting, featured an article in which a mom regularly talks to her children about tolerance. Educating people–young and old–about differences they may experience with others sure seems like the best policy. Making people aware and helping them understand those differences often leads to acceptance.

Kanics Inclusive Design Services, L.L.C. is helping educate the public about inclusive play across the lifespan with its Play for Life Symposium. A group of leading experts on inclusion and inclusive play will gather in Minneapolis on Sept. 22-23 to examine the importance of play for all ages and abilities.

At the Play for Life Symposium, you’ll learn from and have the opportunity to meet and network with Hedda Sharapan, director of early childhood initiatives at The Fred Rogers Company; Muffy Davis, four-time Paralympic medalist, and her husband, Jeff Burley, certified therapeutic recreation specialist; and Bethe Almeras, education and outreach director for Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play; and more. Anyone interested in advancing inclusion and inclusive play for all ages should consider attending the Symposium including landscape architects, parks and recreation professionals, educators, therapists, service providers, students and parents.

Go here to register today. If you register before Sept. 1, you’ll receive the early-registration discount. For more information, contact us here.

Teaching kids to be accepting

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I was reading an article from the Parkville-Overlea Patch yesterday, and I was struck by the emotion this mom experienced when her children, one of which is on the spectrum, were asked to play upon entering the playground.

“For the first time that I can remember, Sammy, a 7-year old, was overtly invited to join a group, and he interacted with ease and confidence. The other kids guided him with an intuition I’d never seen, and it was the best playground experience I think he (and I) ever had.”

The author’s boys had been invited by a couple of other kids to play. When the author expressed gratitude to their supervisor, she learned that this woman was their mother, a special education assistant, and she regularly talks to her kids about tolerance. They discuss acceptance of all–ages, shapes, colors, sizes and abilities.

Check out the full article here, and let us know what you’re doing to help break down social barriers–on the playground, in school or wherever. 

Supporting inclusive play

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As many of you are aware, all of us at Landscape Structures are focused on providing playgrounds where all children and families can play together. While we’ve always created play experiences that are accessible and age appropriate, in 2010, we began focusing on providing a higher level of inclusive play. That includes providing sensory-stimulating playground components.
 
To continue our efforts in supporting truly inclusive playgrounds, we’ve introduced three new products–the Color Splash Panel™, Rain Sound Wheel Panel™ and Roller Table™. These products will welcome children of all abilities while developing gross motor skills, encouraging imaginative play and giving them a “just right” amount of sensory stimulation.
 

L to R: Rain Wheel Sound Panel, Roller Table and Color Splash Panel

The contest is now closed

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Thank you for your interest in the Together We Play essay contest. The contest is now closed, and we are beginning the judging process. We are overwhelmed by your commitment to inclusive play, and are excited to read the essay submissions.

The final announcement of Grand Prize and Regional winners will be on or around Sept. 30, 2011. You can stay up-to-date on the judging process and more right here.