EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Lesson 23: Indoor play activities in ECE

Setting up a safe environment

When setting up the indoor play area consider the following:

• keeping equipment clear of thoroughfares
  
• providing sufficient space for dramatic play areas and equipment.
  
• creating aesthetically pleasing areas of interest that will engage children in play
  
• providing self-choice shelves with a variety of resources to encourage decision making.
  
• if indoor activities involve the use of equipment such as small slides there must be plenty of cushions or soft mats around the base of the structure to ensure that the fall zones are adequately covered.
  
• before children enter an indoor play area, get down to child level to check for potential bumping, choking and entrapment hazards.

Typical causes for injury indoors include

• falls from equipment and furniture such as book shelves and couches.
  
• slipping on wet floors, particularly for toddlers who enjoy washing their hands or experimenting with water taps.
  
• tripping and slipping hazards such as building blocks or books left on the floor
  
• snagging hazards such as clothing caught on protruding objects.
  
• entrapment of body parts including fingers being caught in small spaces such as gate hinges or doors.

These hazards can be minimized through close supervision.