SIK-Holz_schulhof2016_en
SIK-Holz_schulhof2016_en
SIK-Holz_schulhof2016_en
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10<br />
<strong>SIK</strong>-<strong>Holz</strong>® › Play and Movem<strong>en</strong>t Area<br />
Sed<strong>en</strong>tary lifestyles are the biggest problem of our health care<br />
system. Obesity, motor weaknesses and an underdeveloped<br />
s<strong>en</strong>se of balance are the consequ<strong>en</strong>ce, already in childhood.<br />
A major requirem<strong>en</strong>t for the conversion or new design<br />
of school yards must therefore be a high number of opportunities<br />
for playing and movem<strong>en</strong>t. A schoolyard which offers<br />
many possibilities for movem<strong>en</strong>t can contribute decisively to<br />
the quality of the school. This requires an elaborate area layout,<br />
which allows a large number of interactions. Movem<strong>en</strong>t<br />
can be <strong>en</strong>couraged in a variety of ways. Small landscaping<br />
measures and differ<strong>en</strong>t types of surfaces can help developing<br />
a range of play forms. But smooth, paved surfaces also have<br />
their charm. They are suitable for ground and ball games<br />
during the breaks as well as for skateboarding and streetball<br />
in the afternoon. Slopes invite running up and down again.<br />
Combining them with bridges, beams or ropes results in a<br />
wide array of play paths. Stairs that lead to a higher or deeper<br />
plateau are also a basic elem<strong>en</strong>t of <strong>en</strong>couraging movem<strong>en</strong>t in a<br />
schoolyard. For this purpose, the classical stair dim<strong>en</strong>sions can<br />
vary in height and width in order to increase att<strong>en</strong>tion.<br />
The arrangem<strong>en</strong>t of play equipm<strong>en</strong>t must fit the overall<br />
picture of the schoolyard. Interestingly designed climbing<br />
structures, taking into account the age structure, can both<br />
<strong>en</strong>courage movem<strong>en</strong>t as well as invite to relax on high-level<br />
platforms. In any case, the equipm<strong>en</strong>t should be designed in a<br />
way that allows access for as many childr<strong>en</strong> as possible.<br />
Varying surface coverings make a schoolyard come<br />
alive. The choice of cover must be in accordance with the<br />
function of the surface. Grass, for example, is only suitable<br />
on larger areas. Pavem<strong>en</strong>t is appropriate where a high user<br />
frequ<strong>en</strong>cy exists and gravel or wood chips are suitable as fall<br />
protection material under play structures.