sik_kita2015_en

age profile in kindergartens ‹ SIK-Holz®
07
age profile in kindergartens
Planning play equipment age-based
Playing was the first
poetry of man.
Eating and drinking
are his prose.
j. paul
A child’s development is very dynamic during the first
six years. However, it is worth taking into account that
the development process of each individual child is very
different, and children make large advances in their
mobility between the ages of one and three.
The initial means of movement is crawling.
Most babies begin to crawl between eight and eleven
months. Some babies skip this phase altogether, whereby
they do not crawl at all and pull themselves straight into
a stand from a sitting position.
At around ten months, babies begin to move
sideways from a standing position. They then learn to get
through narrow gaps between fixed objects until the age
of around 14 – 16 months, when they begin to take their
first steps without assistance. Now begins the phase of
climbing onto chairs, tables and other low-level platforms.
However, this climbing is characterised by pulling
themselves up to a higher level using their arms. Later,
children consciously use their feet to push themselves up
and cover larger distances. At around three years of age
children now have the ability to fully support themselves.
DIN EN 1176, the standard for playground equipment,
therefore requires constant supervision for children under
three years when using children’s playgrounds. This
is also guaranteed at nurseries. However, many carers are
unable to constantly supervise every single child. It is
therefore recommended to arrange the outdoor area such
so that it is divided into sections suitable for the child’s
level of ability. The suitability of playground equipment
for children under three years is therefore specially
characterised in the following. Platforms are recommended
with a height of up to a maximum of 1.0 m, which
children can use by themselves. Railings are required for
platform heights above 60 cm. Ascents, such as ramps
and steps up to platforms higher than 60 cm must be
fitted with railings starting from the lowest point. Swings
should be positioned separately and not be integrated
with swings for older children. Slide exits should be
positioned at less than 20 cm.
Emergency situations can never be completely avoided.
For this reason equipment for older children in the kindergarten
must always have ready access for adults and/
or include the capability for providing assistance.