Comments on: A Collaborative Playground http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/10/a-collaborative-playground/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:20:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Moshe http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/10/a-collaborative-playground/#comment-23963 Moshe Thu, 11 Jan 2007 06:30:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/10/a-collaborative-playground/#comment-23963 Interesting, though the article is a bit sparse on details. It looks like a good idea, even in the most old fashioned playgrounds I find that kids (or at least 6 year old girls...) want to socialize and "collaborate" if at all possible, and get bored if they are forced to play by themselves, may as well facilitate that (it does not contradict encouraging physical activity, of course). It was not clear to me how unique this playground would be, there are already a lot of nice ones around (go to your local airport Mark for a good example). Interesting, though the article is a bit sparse on details. It looks like a good idea, even in the most old fashioned playgrounds I find that kids (or at least 6 year old girls…) want to socialize and “collaborate” if at all possible, and get bored if they are forced to play by themselves, may as well facilitate that (it does not contradict encouraging physical activity, of course). It was not clear to me how unique this playground would be, there are already a lot of nice ones around (go to your local airport Mark for a good example).

]]> By: Yvette http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/10/a-collaborative-playground/#comment-23964 Yvette Thu, 11 Jan 2007 03:51:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/10/a-collaborative-playground/#comment-23964 I agree with the above: when the article cited equipment like "foam blocks for building," my immediate reaction was to think of how every kid has Legos or builds a fort out of the couch or whatever. Plus I hate to admit it, but was I the only one who looked at the drawing and immediately thought how boring they would be as a kid on that playground? Interest in pulleys only lasts so long. I agree with the above: when the article cited equipment like “foam blocks for building,” my immediate reaction was to think of how every kid has Legos or builds a fort out of the couch or whatever.

Plus I hate to admit it, but was I the only one who looked at the drawing and immediately thought how boring they would be as a kid on that playground? Interest in pulleys only lasts so long.

]]> By: Michaela http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/10/a-collaborative-playground/#comment-23965 Michaela Thu, 11 Jan 2007 02:40:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/01/10/a-collaborative-playground/#comment-23965 This playground concept sounds like a great idea if your children get all the physical activity they need at home or elsewhere. In most cases, however, children get lots of socializing and collaborative skills at home while the so badly needed physical motion is lacking far behind. I am a mother myself, and while I'd probably bring my daughter to the 'experimental' playground once in a while I'd certainly prefer the more traditional playgrounds and parks. Thanks for the interesting post though! This playground concept sounds like a great idea if your children get all the physical activity they need at home or elsewhere. In most cases, however, children get lots of socializing and collaborative skills at home while the so badly needed physical motion is lacking far behind. I am a mother myself, and while I’d probably bring my daughter to the ‘experimental’ playground once in a while I’d certainly prefer the more traditional playgrounds and parks.
Thanks for the interesting post though!

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