What are some important considerations for designing outdoor learning spaces? What can teachers do to make these environments safe or to minimize risks for accidents for children with and without delays or disabilities?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

While no outdoor environment is completely risk-free, there are important actions that teachers can take to ensure that children with and without delays or disabilities remain safe during outdoor play. For example, an important design feature for outdoor play spaces is to cushion the area immediately underplay equipment. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that materials such as bark, pea gravel, sawdust, or sand be at least 12-inch deep to prevent serious injury. Playground equipment should also be age-appropriate for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children in early primary grades. This might include different height levels for different age groups. Teachers can also ensure appropriate or high supervision of children's use on equipment. In particular, teachers must make sure that children are utilizing only age-appropriate equipment and not playing on equipment that is too big or not easily accessible without significant help from others. Teachers must also ensure that walkways are clear from debris or other objects to avoid falls and that there is open access to equipment for all children to include wheelchair access.