Category Archives: #shapedbyplay

Introducing: The We-Go-Round®!

Posted on by
Reply

Movement and socialization are both important aspects of play, which is why we decided to put them together with the creation of the We-Go-Round™! Our new, inclusive We-Go-Round™ allows for children of all abilities to experience all the fun of a classic merry go round with none of the restrictions. The design features strategic seating that accommodates wheelchairs (even those without a wheel-locking mechanism) as well as  your choice of two or three benches and room to stand!

We-Go-Round - 14

The center handhold lets riders control their own spinning speed while teaching them about their own movement and speed limitations. Its circular shape is perfect for socializing with everyone inside! Built in resistance mechanisms maintain a reasonable speed when being turned from the outside.

We-Go-Round - 40

Rides like the We-Go-Round™ allow for children to learn valuable information about their play experiences. The spinning motion develops balance and motor planning while engaging their visual and vestibular systems. Learning about the way their body moves through space advances their sensory experience- and this physical education is open to children of all abilities through the We-Go-Round™!

 

What Play Means to Us

Posted on by
Reply

Play isn’t a static idea, which is why we chose to portray our story as a video in Play Will Always Shape Us. There is no right or wrong way to approach play, and the structures we choose to incorporate into play should reflect that. A child’s imagination is limitless, regardless of what their physical selves are able to do. This is what makes inclusion during play so important.

“Play never said, “Be careful, you’re not strong enough, you’re not big enough, you’re not brave enough.”

Woodridge_20

Play is all around us if we choose to look around and see it. Play is everything. It asks us to learn together from one another as we grow. The spirit of play lives inside all of us, if only we choose to listen to it.

 “Play begs of us, “Learn together. Grow together. Be together. Know together.”

Woodridge_28

No matter what the world comes at us with, keeping a child-like outlook reminds us that our imagination will never fail us. We are limitless in play.

Woodridge_81.jpg

And play will always shape us.

Play Will Always Shape Us

Posted on by
Reply

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvBsHikZcRg]

Play is powerful. It instills important values like leadership, perseverance and cooperation in kids. That’s why we design playgrounds that add value to kids’ experiences, and bring individuals of all ages and abilities together for play. Play is everything, and no matter our age, we come back to what we know… Play will always shape us.

We are proud to lead the conversation about the power of play with this video, and want to help you lead the conversation in your communities. Request a download of our Video Discussion Guide here.

Help us spread the important message heard in this video by sharing it with your family, friends and colleagues on social media. And be sure to tell us how play has shaped your life using #shapedbyplay.

Spreading the message of inclusion

Posted on by
3

ShanesBlog

We are proud to partner with Shane’s Inspiration on a common goal of promoting play for children of all abilities. Together, we’ve created nearly 50 Universally Accessible Playgrounds including the first in Mexico and Ecuador.

Even more, we’re working with them to promote the animated short film, “Ian.” This powerful, Academy Award eligible film, aims to help children understand disability and spread the message of inclusion to every home. Tools to facilitate Q&A following the film can be found here.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dLEO8mwYWQ]

Watch the film above, and please share it with the following message: Please watch and share the film “Ian” and help us create a more inclusive world! http://ow.ly/PyFR30mU6Di #InclusionRules_IanFilm @fundacionian @ShanesPlay #shapedbyplay

Learning, celebrating and connecting in Philadelphia

Posted on by
Reply

Booth02_blog

Last weekend, we were in Philadelphia for the American Society of Landscape Architects’ Annual Meeting and Expo. First thing on Saturday morning, President Pat Faust introduced the speakers of the Opening General Session, Susan Stamberg and Laurie Olin. Following, we welcomed visitors to our booth space, which featured the Alpha® Tower and Friendship® Swing.

[wpvideo uctT6I2d]

On Saturday night, we hosted an event for customers at NOTO. It was great connecting with all of the landscape architects, hearing about their amazing visions and sharing how, together, we can create word-of-mouth legendary play spaces. We’re already looking forward to next year in San Diego.

Shaping play in Indy

Posted on by
Reply

NRPA_Blog_2

Late last month, we were excited to be in Indianapolis for the National Recreation & Park Association’s Annual Conference. Our booth space featured the Alpha® Tower and Friendship® Swing, while the nearby Aquatix booth showcased the CanopyCluster, HydroHelix, ground sprays and lots more.

On Tuesday night, we hosted an event for customers at Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team. With lawn games, a photo booth, and food and drinks, we all had a great time playing and celebrating the work parks and recreation professionals do to shape the lives of kids through play.

NRPA_Blog_4

Celebrating the All Stars of the Miracle League

Posted on by
Reply

McKnightMiracleLeagueBlog-01

Last weekend, the Miracle League, an organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for children with mental and/or physical challenges to play baseball, hosted its Inaugural Miracle League All-Star Celebration. Representatives from 26 states and a Canadian province made their way to Findlay, Ohio, for the event.

On Saturday, Sept. 15, 90 Miracle League players participated in four baseball games at the Blanchard Valley Health System Miracle Park. The celebration showcased the success and impact that the Miracle League has on children and families of all abilities. Miracle Leagues across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia are creating environments that encourage teamwork, competition and inclusion.

Read more about the inaugural event here.

McKnightMiracleLeagueBlog-05

Contribute to children’s development with well-designed playgrounds

Posted on by
Reply

Research05_blog

Child development experts tell us that what looks like mere child’s play is preparation for a successful adult life–as vital as learning to walk and talk. But few studies have examined patterns of play on specific playground equipment to assess how these play spaces might shape children’s development. To find out, we commissioned an observational study in partnership with the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development.

Children demonstrated key developmental skills in a variety of ways, with behaviors often linked to specific types of equipment. For example, children’s gross motor play—seen on swings, slides, overhead events and climbers—may contribute to physical development. Imaginative play has been linked to language development, social competence and self-regulation. Even waiting in line requires children to take turns and consider others’ needs. To request a complete copy of the research whitepaper, go to playlsi.com/whitepapers.

Research03_blog

Our observations showed that well-designed play spaces contribute to the development of children. By helping them learn and practice key life skills, great playgrounds help children grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults. Watch our video below that brings the WHY of what we do to life.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3878sEXPuVE]

Principals celebrate 10 years of playground builds during NAESP

Posted on by
Reply

On Sunday, more than 100 of the nation’s elementary school principals came together to build a playground at Catalina Elementary School in Orlando, Fla. The playground build is part of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Community Service Day, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

The playground was designed for students ages 5 to 12, and features playground slides, climbers, and activity panels in addition to overhead events and bridges. The playground is ADA compliant and was designed to welcome children of all abilities. In addition to building the playground, principal volunteers will do landscaping, painting, and other beautification projects at the school.

As you can see from the tweets, principals had a blast during the 10th anniversary build. Other build locations throughout the years include Tampa, Seattle, Long Beach and Compton, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Prince George’s County, Md. Learn more about the NAESP Annual Conference and save the date: July 10-12, 20198 in Spokane, Wash.