subject: Play Safe: Child-proofing The Garden [print this page] Exploring the wonderful world beyond the back door never ceases to amuse most children. Gazeboor moon base? Climbing frame or castle? Spaces behind garden sheds secret, hidden corridors to treasure!
Whilst the garden should be a creative, fun environment for kids to play out their fantasies, test their limits and explore their world, it should also be a safe place.
Babies
Babies need physical boundaries, especially once theyre crawling. An outside playpen is perhaps the safest option in terms of hazard avoidance, however they can be exploratively rather limiting for baby. To baby-proof a garden would essentially mean trying to baby-proof nature, whereby every aspect suddenly presents some new element of peril. The best option is to discover the garden alongside baby, teaching and aiding as the adventure unfolds. Babies should never be left unattended in the garden.
Toddlers and Young Children
Now that the little devils are toddling about, its time to get down to some serious child-proofing. Ensuring that the child understands the dangers of trying to eat ANYTHING from the garden is the first and vital step towards a safe environment.
Some older toddlers and most young children are old enough to understand symbolic boundaries e.g. Dont go behind the greenhouse Exploring the garden and associated rules through fun time and play with children could be more beneficial than harsh rule-setting.
Theyre not animals, but ensuring a safe and secure perimeter encircles the garden is crucial, as is providing safe and sound covers or locks for garden ponds, sandpits and equipment.
Climbing frames are likely to be a part of any lucky childs garden. Choosing an adequate site is vital preferably over grass or purpose laid play area surfacing, away from hard-standing, away from bushes or trees a child could fall on, and away from sheds or other garden structures.
by: William hoffman
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