Children’s Parks

We have read many things about many parks across globe. Most of them were not built aiming at catering the needs and likes of children. There was always a story or an adultery purpose behind building those parks, political or apolitical.  

Do children too needs parks? If yes, who says so? Early childhood educationists? Why do they say so? Why do Pre-school teachers have to specifically prepare a play area for children in their learning and study segments? Is there something lacking?

In the ancient house plans there was one thing that they didn’t forget to add. A compound. But in the modern day architecture do people have enough space to build a compound or a backyard?   Obviously not.  Within this complex modern day world, the geographical space is shrinking every moment and every minute due to various reasons such as ‘material development’. In a such world what are the options or alternatives do parents or people in particular have, to cater ‘playing’ need, emotional needs of children?

Can we blame modernization or urbanization for above issue, if parents or teachers or educationists or all in particular think or weigh it as an issue?

Do you, parents think that there should be a heavy strict policy should be followed in such implementations.  

Compared with the early days and years of this century there are many things stolen from children of today. Cuddling, storytelling, playing & learning things from parents, the moments that they should be spent with their parents, for example. The concept of compounds, middle compounds or backyards were not made specifically for ‘family entertaining or gardening purposes, in the past, according to what I believe.  

saying a lullaby by a nanny or even by a parent won't sufficient according to what experts say, in order to have healthy children in the world.  

Teaching -learning mechanisms should be changed, adjusted according to the need of era or days -current, without harming core ideas and concepts of education, early childhood development.

The courtyards for instance were the treasures of the children back then and a good tool that helped enjoying and developing together as a package throughout their early childhood in a more fruitful way. 

There were many things that they could learn by playing with their peers freely, in their courtyards, compounds, if you interview an adult today, you may get chances to know.  Especially when there were no Montessori back then, or pre-schools established in each town, in villages like today, such practical components played an immensely valuable role in ‘early childhood development’. 

They got plenty of opportunities or chances to identify little, little birds, butterflies, squirrels who came to their backyards, before their teacher taught them, who they were.   They knew each and every little plant or huge trees that were there in their gardens or backyards or compounds before they read or view them and learn them through their text books compiled according to their curriculum. 

They knew the difference between the sand and clay thanks to the concept of compounds, backyards without much difficulty because they didn't have to purchase them in packs from bookshops like today. 

The swings created for them in a corner of a compound or backyard taught them many lessons as well, about team work, how they can reach top with the help of another, when someone gives a ‘no-fell’ push.  (Motivating). 

laughing and even screaming together too add some aliveness and activeness to their lives. is it something that they miss in their lives today due to modernization or urbanization? 

Above all they had plenty of breathing space which is very important for any child to develop their early childhood. 

We can list many importance of building backyards, compounds or courtyards but if it is a challenge that the parents of today facing, what can be done?

Taking their child to a park specifically built for them, is an alternative i can think of. 

moreover, creating or building children’s parks immensely important for children those who live in storied houses with no courtyard facilities, play ground facilities in the towns, urban areas and even in their school premises.

Building or creating a children's park is not as easy as an specialized or trained teacher narrating a fairy tale. It is a difficult task that needs more attention and care like an author writes a story for the children carefully picking a theme. 

What are the things that state or any private agency thinking of providing such facilities should consider important. based on limited knowledge i have on the subject, I can list following;

• Whether the play equipment they fix suitable for the children, 
• do the equipment fixed help promote, enhance, support their early childhood development or education, 
• the quality of play equipment, 
• the colours used good enough or help brighten their lives ,
• whether the play equipment fixed support exercise their brain and intelligence, 
• whether it is a safer area for them to play and learn and learn while playing without facing any danger  etc.

The other thing is it is very important that responsible parties monitor them and repair play equipment as quickly as possible to avoid dangers, or prevention of any health hazards, when something is broken. 

And the premises should be kept clean every day to avoid them facing or embracing any communicable or spreadable diseases such as dengue, Malaria etc. an area or seating facilities should be provided for the parents, nannies, caretakers to monitor their children without any difficulties.

So, are there at least a single children’s park in your admin area, urban area?

Were they monitored accurately? analyze yourself.

Can we limit building children’s park only to urban areas or town areas?

No, every child has a right to get what every other children children get whether they are children of poor or rich.

‘think together and act together, children know no party politics or modern day issues or what they should really have and about their ‘rights’, it is your duty to provide them what they need for a better early childhood development and education as a whole.