Playful Learning: Integrating SEL Into Every Recess
Author: Austin Stanfel
Social and emotional learning (SEL) thrives most when children have the freedom to explore, imagine, and connect and recess offers the perfect natural setting. For decades, this daily break from the classroom has been viewed primarily as
Building Inclusive Playgrounds That Go Beyond Accessibility
Author: Austin Stanfel
Building inclusive playgrounds that go beyond accessibility means designing spaces where every child, and every family member, truly belongs. These intentional spaces do more than meet standards for physical access; they nurture social inclusion, engagement, and a
How Shade, Cooling, and Water Play Are Becoming Essentials
Author: Austin Stanfel
Shade, cooling elements, and water play are no longer just nice-to-have features in playgrounds and public recreational spaces – they are rapidly becoming essential components in modern, climate-conscious design. Rising global temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and increasing
TikTok Playgrounds: How Social Media Trends Are Changing the Way Children Play
Author: Austin Stanfel
Social media has entered every facet of modern life, shaping culture, communication, and even the way children experience play. TikTok, with its fast-paced videos and viral trends, is now influencing playground environments in unexpected ways. These “TikTok
Innovative Climbing Structures for Playgrounds
Author: Austin Stanfel
Playgrounds have long been central to childhood play, providing spaces where children can explore, challenge themselves, and develop vital developmental skills. Among all types of playground equipment, climbing structures stand out as both timeless and constantly evolving.
Play as a Language: How Creative Games Enhance Communication Skills
Author: Austin Stanfel
In the realm of human development, play is far more than a leisure activity—it is a vibrant, expressive language all its own. Long before children master grammar rules or expand their vocabularies through textbooks, they experiment, negotiate,