A Quick Checklist for Parents
Place this list in a prominent area of your home for quick reference. Then, before your children head out the door for the playground, check that:
Supervision is present, but strings and ropes aren’t.
Adult presence is needed to watch for potential hazards, observe, intercede and facilitate play when necessary. Strings on clothing or ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment.
All children play on age-appropriate equipment.
Preschoolers, ages 2 – 5, and children, ages 5 – 12, are developmentally different and need different equipment located in separate areas to keep the playground safe and fun for all.
Falls to surface are cushioned.
Nearly 70 percent of all playground injuries are related to falls to the surface. Acceptable surfaces include hardwood fiber/mulch, pea gravel, sand and synthetic materials such as poured-in-place, rubber mats or tiles. Playground surfaces should not be concrete, asphalt, grass, blacktop, packed dirt or rocks.
Equipment is safe.
Check to make sure the equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed, bolts are not protruding, there are no exposed footings, etc.
Safety checklists are available from the CPSC or the National Program for Playground Safety.
#1 by graciela hopkins at December 16th, 2005
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it seems to be a very interesting and fun toy— would it be appropriate for 3 to 5 year old?
I also like the playground and safety tips!
Have a great weekend
#2 by digger at January 19th, 2006
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Yes it is.
The Pow’r Load’r stimulates children on multi-levels. One is the Left/Right brain activity. To operate the Pow’r Load’r it develops a childs understanding of the activities to make the left arm assembly work in tandem with the Right assemble, there is a relation between them.
Secondly, children must solve the problem of this relational response to make the digger work.
Lastly, there is a Kinetic activity that builds stonger mustles for girls and boys of this age. Look at the picture. The ripples are motor skills developing.
Tom House a PHD is Kinesiology said that it was providing a healthy workout, as you dig deaper ones motor strength increases. A daycare center in Spokane Wa told me her 2 year olds were operating the digger. She went on to describe how the older kids would teach the younger ones. The Two YO would later develop the muscles and problem solving ability to operate the Pow’r Load’r.