Active Playground Supervision: Promoting Safe

Outdoor PlayYOUR NAME

Child Care Health Consultant

Objectives• Describe the value of outdoor

play for young children

• Discuss common playground injury patterns

• Complete a playground supervision plan

Importance of Outdoor Play

“Outdoor Play Requirements”Rule 5101:2-12-14

“The center shall provide outdoor play each day in suitable weather for any toddler,

preschool child, and school child in attendance for more than four consecutive

daylight hours.”

Outdoor Play

• Physical Health• Stress Reduction• Improves Attentiveness• Active Form of Learning• Emotional Expression• Senses• Courage

Playground Injury Statistics

A Safe Environment

• Safe Equipment

• Proper Supervision

• Proper Behavior

What is Supervision?

• More than “watching”

• Anticipating hazardous situations

• Providing support for children’s play

• Responding to emergencies

Supervision Plan Outline By Larry Bruya

1. Rules for Supervision Ratio I nteraction – 15 sec. Site Lines Blind Spots

3. Rotation Patterns Looping Random Movement 360 degrees

5. Discipline Strategies I mmediate I ntervention Redirect play groups Take kids with you Separate f rom group

2. Communication System Walkie-talkie Telephone Whistle Hand Signals Students

4. Pack/Supplies Pencil/ Pen I ncident Report Bread Bag Bandages CPR Mouth Guard Other First Aid Supplies

6. Emergency Plan Get information into main

offi ce Medical support onto

playground I nteraction with parents Follow up I nvolvement with risk

manager

Common Chronic Playground Problems

•Insufficient Space

•Fighting Over Equipment

•Children Break Equipment

References

• National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants Staff, Injury Prevention in Child Care Part A: Outdoor Learning and Playground Safety version 3.0. Chapel Hill (NC); National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants, Department of Maternal and Child Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2005.

• Recess and the Importance of Play – A Position Statement on Young Children and Recess, National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education, 2001

• Strickland, Eric, Early Childhood Today, May 2002, Vol. 16, Issue 7• The ABC’s of Playground Supervision, S.A.F.E. Playground Supervision

Manual• The National Program for Playground Safety (

www.playgroundsafety.org)• www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf• www.usa.safekids.org