Designing Playgrounds for Equal Learning Opportunities: The Crucial Role of Designers

From Jan Sundvik's perspective, a designer's role extends beyond aesthetics. It involves understanding the unique needs of children and creating environments that inspire exploration, interaction, and learning through play. 

Sundvik explains: "A good example for if we desire inclusive play equipment, accessible to everyone, consider incorporating a boat-like structure to the playground. A ramp could be included, allowing wheelchair access to the lower area, where one can assume the role of captain. Others can climb aboard, becoming the crew.

Additionally, integrating sound tubes for instructions would enhance the experience. Overall, the focus is primarily on the games unless other elements are deemed necessary." 

Sundvik emphasizes the goal of providing play opportunities for all children, including those with disabilities. He acknowledges the challenge of limitations like age groups, budget constraints, and platform heights. He suggests that inclusivity might be easier to achieve in entire park designs rather than individual products, as these require more consideration. 

Outi Lassila emphasizes that safety standards and creativity are complementary, not conflicting. Designers carefully balance these aspects to create spaces that encourage exploration while ensuring children's well-being. 

Lassila explains, "When designing a playground, even if you adhere to all the safety standards, there is still a possibility of unintentionally incorporating elements that may not be entirely safe. It is crucial to consider the playground as a whole entity. For instance, if you fail to provide areas that encourage risk-taking or offer a sense of controlled danger for children, solely focusing on super-safe and low-level features might paradoxically result in more hazardous situations. Kids are incredibly creative and will find ways to take risks, such as climbing on roofs, even when the environment is designed with utmost caution. 

It is fascinating to observe children playing in playgrounds or engaging with other designed elements. They often utilize products in unexpected and imaginative ways that designers may not have envisioned. This unpredictability is more prevalent in labs or when designing indoor-themed playgrounds, as designers have greater control over product selection. However, even in outdoor playgrounds, designers attempt to anticipate how children will navigate from one play equipment to another, only to witness their creativity surpassing expectations.  

One intriguing aspect to consider is that safety standards in playgrounds often restrict loose objects, which children are naturally drawn to. Play often involves manipulating and moving objects from one location to another. These limitations can somewhat constrain playground design. Nevertheless, in most cases, safety requirements and creativity in design complement and enhance each other." 

Learning Across Generations

Lassila points out that well-designed playgrounds encourage intergenerational learning, allowing adults to participate in play-based activities with children. This bridges gaps between generations and creates opportunities for shared experiences. When designing a playground, it is important to actively involve adults in the play experience. Instead of simply sitting on a bench and scrolling through their phones, they should fully engage in the activities. By playing with kids, adults have the opportunity to learn a multitude of things, particularly from the creativity of children. For example, what may appear as a balance beam to an adult could be seen as a boat or something entirely different by a child. This perspective shift allows us to see things in a new light and gain a fresh outlook. Embracing these types of experiences can be truly enriching.