Playground Guide - 2017 - 3

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

For a Better Tomorrow,
We Play Today

lay has an invaluable role in encouraging whole-child
development. Playgrounds are a microcosm of adultlife where roles are defined and rules are adhered to or
broken. But, above and beyond learning life lessons - such
as trial and error, sharing and competing - it's on the playground that children learn persistence, leadership, competition, bravery, support and empathy. It's these experiences that
help shape kids into thinkers, dreamers and leaders.
There are only a few things in most kids' lives that are universal learning opportunities, and play, which could take place
in a back alley or at a playground, is one of them. Landscape
Structures Inc., a Delano, Minnesota-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, understands this powerful reality. Play is fun and physically beneficial, of course. But, play
is also an organic form of learning.
In the eyes of a child, playgrounds are more than just a
well-designed assembly of metal and plastic pieces. Their
imaginations transform playgrounds into countless fantasy
worlds. Children turn into kings and queens holding court
in their castles, into inquisitive jungle adventurers and more.
Looking back on our own childhoods, we can appreciate the
effect playground experiences had on who we ultimately became. In other words, play shapes us.
For years, the campaign for more play has revolved around
battling the childhood obesity epidemic. However, play is important for more than just physical development. Play helps
shape children's cognitive, motor and social skills, in addition
to the following:
* Supports leadership development
* Teaches tolerance through inclusive play
* Spurs growth in creativity
* Promotes problem-solving and diligence
* Regulates emotions and brings control to behaviors
Landscape Structures has partnered with the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development to research
how play helps develop the whole child by creating leaders,
encouraging collaboration and teaching about the value of
persistence and problem solving. The recently commissioned
meta-study confirms what virtually any adult already knows:
the simple pleasure of free play is an essential part of healthy
development.
Watch kids on the playground, and witness their life's dress

rehearsal. The next generation's entrepreneurs, aspiring artists
and future athletes are playing, negotiating turns on the slide,
assigning dramatic roles, cooperating to balance on the tire
swing and mastering new motor skills. These skills learned on
the playground are exactly what the world needs more of now.
Sign up at shapedbyplay.com to be notified when the research
whitepaper and supporting documents are available.
At Landscape Structures, we believe that childhood play
instills important values in kids and helps create the leaders
of tomorrow. That's why we create the best playgrounds in
the world. Watch our video at playlsi.com/shapedbyplay that
brings the WHY of what we do to life. For a better tomorrow,
we play today.

info@playlsi.com
playlsi.com
888.438.6574 (toll-free, USA and Canada)
763.972.5200 (everywhere else)

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Parks & Recreation

http://www.shapedbyplay.com http://www.playlsi.com/shapedbyplay http://www.playlsi.com

Playground Guide - 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Playground Guide - 2017