One of the many things I have enjoyed after migrating to the US is the presence of free and public playgrounds. I don't know but there's something with playgrounds that makes me happy even as an adult. It must have been the fact that I never really got the chance to enjoy one when I was young and even when I was growing up due to the fact that there was none in our place.
My daughter is very lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy these playgrounds. Aside from the fun and enjoyment, she also gets to play and interact with other kids and I for one thing also meet other moms/parents.
For one of our featured partner this month is Kaboom!
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America's children.
Our mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities. Ultimately, we envision a place to play within walking distance of every child in America.
The Problem
Like many non-profits, KaBOOM!, exists to solve a problem: The Play Deficit. Our children are playing less than any previous generation, and this lack of play is causing them profound physical, intellectual, social, and emotional harm.
Not enough playspaces are being built; those that exist are often in disrepair. Fears surrounding lawsuits and safety are trumping common sense, resulting in sterile, uninspired play environments. Recess is being eliminated from our nation’s schools. Kids are overscheduled, and in their free time, many choose to stay indoors, lulled by television, computers and video games.
The Play Deficit is an important problem, and it is imperative that we solve it to ensure our children have long, healthy, and happy lives. The decline of play is closely linked to:
- Childhood obesity
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, anxiety disorders and depression
- Violence and other behavioral problems
- Stunted social, cognitive, and creative development
- Lack of green spaces in cities and suburbs
- Fragmented communities
- Failing schools
The Solution
We fight this troubling play deficit, and its many related problems, through three central strategies:
- Constructing innovative, kid-inspired playspaces, using a community-build model that improves the well-being of the children we serve as well as the neighborhoods in which they live.
- Sharing the knowledge and tools needed for anyone to find, improve, and/or build playgrounds on their own.
- Building a broad movement driven by research, analysis, policy, and community engagement.
In saving play, we are creating:
- Healthier, happier, and smarter children
- Greener cities
- Better schools
- Stronger neighborhoods
To date, KaBOOM! has built over 2,000 playgrounds, saving play for over 5.5 million children.
Right now KaBoom has an ongoing photo contest, I Love My Playground : Just share a photo of a playground you love and you'll be entered to win great outdoor toys!
Submit your photo by Tuesday, February 19. An expert team of judges will pick their favorites based on your photo and caption.
Prizes at stake are as follows : Three Grand Prize Winners will each receive a set of two Buddy Bounce Balls and five Runner-Up Winners will each receive a copy of of the book Go Out and Play!: Favorite Outdoor Games from KaBOOM!.
Check out KaBoom's Facebook Page for more information regarding this contest!
This is a post for Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health.
Stopping by from the google stats test. There is probably one good playground in my city. Which was built very recently. It is in the parking lot of a grade school. The ground is rubber and it is fenced in. The other parks are worn down and broken. Obscenities written on slides and rails. It is a depressing place. Sadly it is the park closest to our house. I really wish we had some playgrounds like this.