Playground Observation Essay

Observation Assignment I conducted my observation in a public playground located in the Military base of Twentynine Palms, CA. This observation took place on Wednesday February 16, at 4:36pm, and ended at 5:20pm. As I am facing the playground, I see many children running, swinging, going down the slide. I can hear babies crying, and mothers yelling at their children not to jump off the swing. I feel the wind blowing and making a whistling sound. As I sat on the soft rubber surface, I could sense an over-stimulation happening around the area. The playground was full of children and their parents; also, the playground is located next to sports fields. Behind the playground, there was a kickball game-taking place. In front of the playground, there was a soccer match happening as well. The noise from the cheering, timers, and coachers was extremely overwhelming. The …show more content…
First, the playground was equipped with soft rubber surfacing under the swings, at the base of the slides, and the entrance to the ramps. It also had an accessible swing, a drink fountain that contains three different height basins. A picnic table that is accessible from the playground, and it allows a wheelchair to maneuver up to the table. In addition to transfer platforms and balconies with activity panels. Based on my observations, the 3 suggestions I have to improve the environment are: First, provide an accessible way children can get to the “roundabout.” A child in a wheelchair would not be able to maneuver a wheelchair through the woodchips. Second, an accessible ramp, or perhaps lower the “roundabout” for a child in a wheelchair to be able to transfer into it. The roundabout sat pretty high off the ground. Third, a low noise level and minimal visual stimulation sensory environment, or area designs for children to experience reduce noise