December 2017 - Parks & Recreation - 52

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

IMAGINATION GUIDE

Play Creates a Whole Child

n a poll conducted by Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano,
Minnesota-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, more than half of parents responded that they think
children today have fewer opportunities for play than children 20
years ago. Parents reported that their children get one hour or less
of unstructured playtime each day: 55 percent of parents with
children ages 10 to 12, 42 percent of parents with children ages 3
to 9 and 34 percent of parents with children up to age 3. Almost
two-thirds of those polled think the ideal amount of daily playtime is between one and two hours.
Parents advocate for playtime, too. Even in today's 24/7
world, more than three-quarters of parents polled agreed that
children with adequate free playtime grow up to be better contributors to society. Educators and child development experts
agree that play is vital to children's cognitive, social/emotional
and physical development and growth.
While they may be stressed and over-scheduled themselves,
today's parents recognize the value of free, unstructured time
for their children's overall health and well-being. " Modern life
takes a toll on children too, " says Lynn Pinoniemi, director of
marketing at Landscape Structures.
" More kids are being diagnosed with anxiety, depression
and obesity - and many live with disabilities, " she says. " But
giving kids the freedom to play - to gain confidence through
mastery and self-discovery - can really nurture small psyches
and instill lifelong skills. "
Landscape Structures surveyed parents of children 12 years and
younger to understand their attitudes on the value of unstructured
play. Topics ranged from opportunities for free play to important life
skills gained on the playground.
When asked about important life skills, the parents surveyed

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considered play and creativity of similar importance as academics and critical thinking. Most mothers (92 percent) rated
play and creativity as moderately or very important, compared
to 84 percent of fathers.
Persistence was considered a top skill for children of all ages to
learn. Creativity was more likely to be chosen for younger children, while leadership was likeliest for older children. Parents
reported that sharing, imagination and creativity were the skills
most often exhibited by their own children on the playground.
A recent meta-study conducted by the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development and commissioned by
Landscape Structures, titled " Shaped by Play: The Formative
Role of Play and Playgrounds, " confirms our culture's growing
infringement on children's play opportunities.
According to the study, a long list of daily distractions competes for children's free time: hectic family lifestyles, organized
activities, TV and electronic devices, and academically packed
school schedules that cut into recess. Request a copy of the full
research whitepaper at shapedbyplay.com.
The survey and meta-study are part of Landscape Structures'
Shaped by Play campaign. Learn more about the campaign, and
watch the company's inspirational video, For a Better Tomorrow,
We Play Today, by visiting playlsi.com/shapedbyplay.

888.438.6574
info@playlsi.com
playlsi.com

December 2017 - Parks & Recreation

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