How Does Your Playground Sound

ExchangeEveryDay 
Date: June 14, 2004 
Issue: 1011 
http://www.childcareexchange.com

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"The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced." - Aart van der Leeuw

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How Does Your Playground Sound?

In the Beginnings Workshop on "Outdoor Environments" in the March 2003 issue of Exchange, Rusty Keeler discusses sound as an important consideration in playground design.  He identifies  these three types of sound...

1) Sound as a backdrop to play. Ambient sounds create an overall mood that becomes a subtle part of the environment. Things such as wind chimes in trees make great melodies when the wind blows. Choose a variety for different sounds and textures - different sizes, different materials, even wood or bamboo. Many plants make sounds in the wind as well. Try planting large ornamental grasses or bamboo, as well as trees that rustle in the wind like Quaking Aspen.

2) Sound as a by-product of play. This is achieved by adding sound elements such as bells, chimes, and rattles to places where children commonly play. Think about what kinds of play occur in the different areas and how you can match the textures of sound to the types of play. Try to imagine what a gross-motor play area sounds like. What about a quiet, getaway spot? Now incorporate items into those play areas that will create the types of sounds you envisioned in those areas. For example, a quiet nook could have delicate chimes that ring when children pass into the space. A gross motor climbing tree or play equipment could have cowbells hung that jostle as the children climb.

3) Sound as the goal of play. Instead of incorporating sound as an inconspicuous part of the environment as described above, sound can also be used as an item that children can directly explore and play with. Install interesting instruments and sound sculptures for the children to experiment with. For example, you might include a metal drum for the children to bang, a set of bells for the children to ring, a giant marimba or xylophone to play a song on, a gong to hit, or a bell to clang.

Rusty Keeler's article, "Designing and Creating Naturual Play Environments for Young Children," can be read in its entirety on our home page at www.ChildCareExchange.com.



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