Materials, Equipment, and Primary Learning Factors Which Can Be Utilized by Early Childhood Education Planners in Devising Creative Playgrounds for Young Children.

This paper presents suggestions and guidelines for planning creative outdoor learning environments and experiences for young children. The discussion focuses on the fact that children learn more readily and develop better physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially when their play is allowed to be creative and innovative in nature. The physical characteristics of playgrounds which foster creativity are described and nine stipulations for play are offered as guidelines to playground planning and development. Suggestions for play equipment and playground personnel are given. An adventure playground is described in which children, under supervision, are free to build their own play structures from a variety of materials provided. A final section contains directions for activities involving playground materials and equipment, such as acting games, sand and water games, and games using old car tires and ropes. (SDH)