Children need to play. It is important for their complete development. Unfortunately most parents try to fill up their days with so much activity that a recent report says Doctors are now beginning to prescribe play to children.
As they play, it’s inevitable that falls or other accidents would occur. How then can you ensure your children at home or students in school can stay safe even when they play?
Here are some tips to consider:
1) Floor plan: Floors on playgrounds and in play areas should be such that will not cause injury when a child falls down. Concrete floors should be ruled out. Sand, artificial grass or rugs are better to cushion the effect of falls.
2) Sharp corners/objects: Is the playground close to sharp corners? Then it’s either you move the playground to somewhere with more space or improvise by covering sharp corners with rugs, cushions or even throw pillows
3) Hand washing stations: With play comes sweat and contact with dirt. Therefore it is important to provide hand washing stations and encourage the habit of hand washing after play and before return to class or other activities
4) Horseplay: Teach children to avoid being rough when playing. When play becomes a high risk activity, the more quiet kids would stay away and this is not healthy. We need to encourage children to play without causing harm to their friends
5) First aid kit: While we encourage safe play behaviour, we also understand that an injury can happen at any time. Therefore it is important to have a well equipped first aid kit so that when injury occurs, you can spring to action in a timely and efficient manner.
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