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This book is a field guide to the many features found at a playground. It can be used as a guide for any playground, but specifically includes features from Mueller Park, Ricky Guerroro Park, Zilker Park and Gillis Park in Austin, Texas.

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Table of Contents

to slide onto swing onto climb onto balance onto spin onto hang fromto step upto pretend into rideon the groundto dig into learn fromthat look realthat make sound

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Things ... page

Here we go!

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To slide... Sit down at top of slide with legs out in front of you. Scoot forward till gravity pulls you down!

Parents! Small children may need a catch when they reach the bottom of the slide.Things to Slide On

Also, look for these slide/tunnel hybrids. The enclosed space makes sliding more thrilling!

Sliding is FUN!

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Things to Swing on

To Swing...Sitting on the swing, alternate bending and straightening your knees to propel yourself forward and back.

This type of swing allows infants to swing safely. Children of this size will

need a push in order to swing.

Swinging is FUN, and builds coordination!

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Things to Climb on

Dome-shaped features allow for an interplay of climbing and hanging. After climbing to

the top, drop down through the bars to hang like a monkey!

To Climb...Step up with your feet while simultaneously pulling yourself up with your hands. Climbing builds strength and

coordination!

Parents! Keep an eye on your climbing child, as they may find themself stuck at the top!

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Things to Balance on

To Balance...Try to walk on a thin platform, placing one foot directly in front of the other, without falling off.

Balancing builds coordination and promotes proper alignment!

Simulated ropes courses require a combination of climbing and balance. Try to make it all the

way across!

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Things to Spin on

To Spin...Gain momentum by kicking off the ground or by shifting your body weight in a circular motion. Stay centered to keep spinning.

Parents! Watch out, too much spinning can make your child quite nauseous!

Spinning is FUNand requires balance!

Merry-go-rounds are no longer included in playgrounds because of safetey issues. However, there are now new versions that

are perfectly safe and just as fun!

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Things to Hang from

To hang...Hold on to the bars for dear life! If you can, swing from bar to bar by grabbing the next bar with alternating hands.

These curved bars make hanging and swinging much trickier!

These are commonly refered to as “monkey bars.”

Hanging from monkey bars is great for building strength!

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Things to Pretend in

To Pretend...Imagine another reality, then make-believe that it is real. Pretending allows you to be whoever you want and do whatever you feel! Pretending is FUN and promotes creativity!

“Houses” provide a familiar entitity to pretend in, though there are many things on a

playground that can invoke imagination.

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Things to Ride

To Ride...Hold on tight, and move your body to give yourself the momentum to goooo!

A small seat attached to a spring provides a fun, safe experience for

smaller children.

Riding is FUN!

This handle slides all the way to the other side!

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Things on the Ground

These things...Gravel, wood chips and plastic can all be found as groundcover at playgrounds.

Where as gravel can be quite dirty, rubber groundcover provides a cushy, cleaner option.

Soft groundcover prevents boo-boos!

Parents! Playing in gravel is likely to coat your child with a thin layer of dirt!

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Things to Dig in

This sandbox has a water spicket that allows for better sand-construction.

These are usually called “sandboxes.”

To Dig...Use a combination of buckets, shovels and other tools to create whatever your heart desires.

Parents! Digging in the sand or dirt can and will get messy, very quickly! Bring extra clothes.

Playing in the sand is FUN and fosters creativity!

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Things to Learn from

To Learn...Interacting with games, letters, and numbers while playing encourages the learning process.

Alphabet installments help small children learn to recognize and identify the shapes of

the letters.

Learning helps brain development and builds life skills!

This game is called “tic-tac-toe.”

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Things that Look Real

These things...Real-life mock-ups give children the feeling that they are participating in “grown-up” activity.

Things that look real enhance the pretend play of children, encouraging greater use of the

imagination.

Playing with “real” things is FUN and imaginative!

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Things that Make Sound

To make sound...Strike the instrument with sticks or provided mallets. Try different patterns to create a tune.

Playing instruments fosters creativity and teaches music appreciation!

This is a mock-up of a xylophone.

This field guide was designed, printed and bound by Corine Brunet

for Daniel Lievens’ Junior Studio class in the Spring of 2011.