Physical activity improves health and increases mental focus in young people

Recess is not just a break from school work and a time for teachers to grade papers. Physical exercise is necessary to encourage healthy bodies and active minds. The American Heart Association among other government agencies has been officially recommending strenuous exercise to promote strong immune systems and the prevention of serious diseases in young people across the country. It is a widely accepted fact that inactivity and poor eating habits contribute to the high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and even diabetes. By setting a good example and by creating structured physical activities for grade school children, our education system can better equip young people with a solid foundation for a healthy lifestyle when they are older.

Kids are not likely to do jumping jacks on their own or voluntarily run laps around a track. Unfortunately, there is just not enough of an entertainment factor. And, since physical education class is only held once or twice a week, it is important to encourage exercise everyday by having safe, quality playground equipment at every elementary school. A Playground Swingset along with other age appropriate play equipment provides a medium for exercise without needing an adult to facilitate the action. There should always be at least one adult supervising young children as they play on the playground, but the kids are able to have fun and get exercise without any particular leadership or structured activity.

A Playground Swingset offers many different opportunities for cardiovascular exercise that will improve general health as well as help to prevent certain disorders. Regular physical activity also helps increase mental acuity and the ability to focus. Some instances of mild hyper activity could be addressed with more regular physical activity and exercise instead of medication. Kids are less likely to be squirming around in their seats during class if they have had sufficient activity at recess and the lunch break.

Asthma doesn’t have to stop your kids from being active

Asthma is serious condition that affects one’s ability to breathe properly but if your child has been diagnosed with this ailment, take comfort in the fact that it can be controlled and it doesn’t have to slow you down much or at all. With the right care and treatment, asthmatics can be just as active as everyone else and lead normal productive lives with little inconvenience. The good news is that most will grow out of their asthma by early adulthood, but until then it is important have a good physician that is experienced in dealing with asthma and can counsel you and your child about all the precautions you should take as well prescribe any necessary medication.

Some cases are so severe that sports are unfortunately not an option. But for most asthmatic children, sports is allowed and even encouraged because physical activity can strengthen the muscles used for breathing as well as improve lung function. If you take all the proper precautions, it should be perfectly fine to enjoy physical education class, the Playground Swingset, and other outdoor activities that all young children enjoy. Be sure to consult a doctor before beginning any physical activity or exercise routine if your child has been diagnosed with asthma or if you notice any difficulty breathing.

Normal, common sense precautions are especially important for asthma sufferers. Stretching and warming up before strenuous exercise helps to prepare the body for a workout and allows for proper circulation to the lungs. Bundling up in cold weather is also necessary and it is helpful to breathe in through the nose and out of the mouth, this way air has a chance to warm up before entering the lungs. Cold air can irritate the lungs and bring about an attack. If you notice any labored breathing, then slow down and take it easy. Talk to your doctor about when and how to use an inhaler to alleviate the asthma symptoms associated with strenuous exercise.

Reduce Playground Injuries With Swingset Safety

When children think of the playground, they think of swings, jungle gyms, monkey bars, running, jumping, yelling and playing with their friends and classmates. Basically fun and games. Adults, on the other hand, tend to focus on slips and falls, scrapes and bruises, collisions and broken bones. This is natural. Parents and responsible adults need to be looking out for the safety of their children, because most kids are not exactly safety conscious, even if they are well behaved and otherwise responsible. Granted you cannot be with your children every moment of every day, but you should still have working knowledge of playground equipment and how to make sure they are safe for your kids. This way you can work with teachers, aids and supervisors to ensure the safest possible environment for children to play. Here is a quick checklist pertaining to the Playground Swingset and other equipment that children typically encounter on any given day at school or at the park.

Supervision should be present at All Times

The younger the children are, the more supervision is required to keep them safe. Adults should be watching for healthy and positive interaction. Make sure there is no bullying or risky behavior taking place. Also, adults need to constantly inspect the equipment. Some things to look out for are loose ropes or strings that can cause injury and/or strangulation. Ropes on jungle gyms should be securely fastened at both ends and should not be any long strings hanging from the children’s clothing while playing. If play time should get too rambunctious, or the kids are using the equipment in ways it was not designed to be used, then an adult should intervene immediately.

Is the equipment age appropriate?

Preschoolers should have play equipment that is separate from the grade school children. They are not on the same level physically or developmentally and their play equipment should reflect those differences. Smaller children naturally look up to the bigger kids and will try to emulate their behavior. This can cause safety hazards if the little ones are allowed to play on a Playground Swingset that is designed for an older age group.

What kind of surface is the ground surrounding the play area?

Approximately 3 out of every 4 playground injuries are due to a fall, usually from a piece of equipment onto the ground. The severity of these injuries can be dramatically reduced by choosing a more forgiving surface to help cushion falls. Mulch, pea gravel, sand, rubber mats and some other soft synthetic materials are all acceptable surfaces that will help save kids from painful injuries. Concrete, asphalt, rocks, dirt, and even grass are not ideal because they are too hard and most likely result in injury in the event that children fall from a Playground Swingset or any other piece of equipment.

Regular Maintenance and Safety Checks

Lastly, Splintered wood, rusted metal, loose rope, protruding screws and bolts, and other structural problems can cause injuries if play equipment is not regularly maintained. It is vital to inspect all playground equipment for such problems on a regular basis to ensure that children have the safest environment possible.