The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the rate of childhood and adolescent obesity has nearly tripled over the last twenty years. Playgrounds, free play, and outdoor physical activity programs play a critical role in providing resources to get kids moving again! This workshop provides valuable information for effectively designing play environments and leading standards-based activities to increase children’s physical activity and fitness levels by maximizing the use of your playground.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe current research about national childhood obesity epidemic, national initiatives and trends to encourage children to meet recommended physical activity guidelines, and evidence of playground programming effectiveness

• Define strategies for designing play environments that promote active movement and overall fitness through utilization of six key elements of play

• Summarize the developmental benefits of playground equipment and how playgrounds can play a critical role in the developmental skills of children, while helping children develop a lifelong love of physical activity

• Discuss a variety of ways to utilize your play environments to bring classroom learning outdoors through implementing innovative programming and activities

This program is developed in partnership with PlayCore and The American Association of Physical Activity and Recreation.

"Facts were based on real studies and publications." - Outreach Participant

Return to the Previous Page >>