The Power of Playgrounds: Nurturing Tamariki Development
While sitting at Tauranga’s newest playground at The Strand, I marvelled at the incredible design and thoughtfulness behind these vibrant spaces. Watching my tamariki explore, climb, and laugh reminded me how vital playgrounds are—not just as a source of fun but as a foundation for growth and development. As a paediatric physiotherapist, I often encourage whānau to embrace the developmental benefits of play, and playgrounds offer a perfect blend of physical, social, and sensory opportunities for our tamariki.
Balance and Coordination: The Hidden Skills Behind Every Slide
Take the humble slide. It may seem simple, but it challenges and enhances balance and coordination at every stage. To climb the ladder, tamariki must engage their vestibular system—the inner ear mechanism responsible for balance. This practice helps them steady their movements, whether climbing, sitting at the top, or descending with a whoosh. Over time, these small movements improve their equilibrium and motor planning, skills essential for daily activities like walking, running, and even handwriting.
Strength and Flexibility: Building Resilience
Every rung climbed, every stretch to reach the next level, builds muscle strength and flexibility. Playground equipment naturally encourages tamariki to push, pull, and stretch their bodies. This physical engagement strengthens muscles and joints, prevents injury, and fosters confidence in movement. These activities, from swings to monkey bars, create strong foundations for everyday life and future sports success.
Social Skills: Navigating the Playground Community
Playgrounds are a hub of social interaction. Whether taking turns on the slide, negotiating who gets the swing next, or forming impromptu games, tamariki learn valuable social skills. They practice patience, empathy, and problem-solving—skills that will serve them well. It's also a space where tamariki learn to be inclusive, understanding that each child brings their own pace and abilities.
Sensory Development: The Vestibular and Proprioceptive Systems
Many playground activities stimulate two lesser-known but critical sensory systems: the vestibular and proprioceptive senses. The vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation, is activated by spinning, swinging, and rocking motions. This system teaches tamariki to manage dizziness, steady themselves, and coordinate their movements.
The proprioceptive system, or body awareness, helps tamariki understand where their limbs are in space and how much force they need to apply to tasks. Activities like climbing, jumping, and hanging develop this system, enhancing their ability to navigate the world, whether balancing on a beam or holding a pencil to write.
Promoting Healthy Habits: Active Bodies, Active Minds
Playgrounds encourage physical activity, helping tamariki meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily movement. Beyond physical health, this active play supports mental well-being, releasing energy, reducing stress, and improving focus. The joy of movement is infectious, making exercise feel like a natural and enjoyable part of life.
Fostering Sensory Integration
Sensory integration is the process by which tamariki learn to interpret and respond to the world around them. Playgrounds provide a rich environment for this development, offering a mix of sights, sounds, textures, and movements. These experiences help tamariki filter and organize sensory input, which is critical for attention, self-regulation, and learning.
Supporting Whānau in the Journey of Play
As parents, caregivers, and professionals, it's important to recognise that play is more than just fun—it's essential for growth. Encouraging regular visits to the playground and allowing tamariki to explore freely (within safe boundaries) is one of the best ways to support their physical and emotional development.
And remember, play is for everyone! Joining in games, climbing alongside your tamariki, or simply cheering them on supports their confidence and strengthens your bond.
So next time you visit the park, watch closely as your tamariki climb, spin, and slide. These moments of joy are also moments of learning, growing, and thriving. Through play, we empower our tamariki to develop the skills they need to navigate their world with confidence and resilience.
Let’s celebrate the magic of playgrounds and the incredible potential they unlock for our tamariki!