HD 202 Answer the following three questions:
1.) Why is attachment important to physical and mental health?
2) How do parents help a baby feel more secure?
3) Describe what makes an intervention aimed at promoting attachment security effective.
Space Make the most of the space you have. Not all outdoor spaces are ideal, but that doesn’t mean you
have to settle for a playground with only metal play structures and asphalt. Get creative! Your local
home improvement store can be a great resource. Consider lling plastic rain gutters with dirt and letting
children use them as planters or sensory bins. Ask volunteers to install bird feeders or raised garden
beds. Your outdoor play space will foster creative play if you include “loose parts,” or openended play
materials (recycled cardboard boxes, crates, PVC pipes, milk cartons) children can use for construction
(Maxwell, Mitchell, & Evans, 2008). Enclosed spaces (e.g., playhouses, forts) that are a xed part of the
playground—or, even better, that have been constructed by children themselves—foster dramatic play.
As much as possible, providing play equipment that can “become” multiple things in children’s play
tends to foster creativity. If you have the opportunity to help pick play equipment, try to avoid items and
structures that embody one idea (e.g., a pirate ship climber), and instead choose items that can take on
multiple identities (e.g., more simple play structures).
It is also important to include equipment that will help children work on their grossmotor skills. Gross-
motor skills are those that involve large muscle movements of the body and include running, jumping,
throwing and maintaining balance. Fixed playground equipment is not necessary for children to
experience high levels of physical activity outside. In fact, children are often most physically active when
they play with portable equipment such as balls, bicycles, hula hoops, etc. (Kreichauf et al., 2012).
Accessibility Just as in the classroom, you must ensure your outdoor spaces are organized for
independence, easy use and learning. Children must be able to easily access materials and equipment.
Outdoor paths, walkways and stairs should be clearly marked and free of obstruction. It is important to
make sure gross-motor play can happen safely in one area without disrupting play in another area. For
railings, lower a water table) to best t their needs. As discussed in the Indoor Environment lesson, talk
with children’s families and your trainer, coach or supervisor to determine what modications may be
necessary. Also, because as outdoor play spaces can let children use their louder voices and “let loose,”
make sure you have calming spaces available outside, perhaps with an accompanying bin of soothing
materials.