Last fall, an all-inclusive park was installed at Founders Square in Portage, Indiana with a mission to unite children of all abilities. With warmer weather becoming the norm, this will be the first full season that families can take advantage of the fun!
The project was spearheaded by Hannah’s Hope, a local organization that serves children with special needs. Jacob’s Ladder, a pediatric rehabilitation center and service in the region, has partnered with the park to offer instructions and insight on how to use some of the equipment.
Parents can find a QR code at each structure. Once scanned by a smartphone, the code will redirect parents to a page on the Jacob’s Ladder website that offers instructions for using the equipment safely as well as activity ideas that can help children develop social, motor, and language skills.
Here are a few to help get you started:
These familiar looking rings can not only help kids build shoulder strength, but can also help develop fine motor skills through gripping the rings. This is essential for writing, artmaking, and putting together small toys like Legos. Kids can hang from the rings, swing, or pull themselves up. Language skills can also be improved by using this type of play to reinforce following directions. It’s a great structure to build both understanding and independence!
This is one piece of equipment you probably haven’t seen before! Kids can sit up on the table and pull themselves through using the bars. The pulling motion can stimulate fine motor skills and the sound of the rollers can help with sensory processing. If a child is unable to sit up, however, he or she can lie down on his or her back or stomach and a parent can help pull the child across the rollers. Try different positions like “Superman” or “Silly Bug,” and make sure long hair is kept away from the rollers!
This swing is very different than the ones you typically see at playgrounds! Because of its large and heavy design, it was very difficult to acquire. Nevertheless, fundraising efforts by Hannah’s Hope made it possible to have this impressive piece of equipment shipped from overseas. Now children who use wheelchairs can take joy in this favorite playground activity too!
Kids can practice using action words like “faster” and “slower” to develop cognitive skills, and sign language is a good activity that parents can use to help their child develop language skills. For the musically-minded, a good round of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” can be the perfect sing-along activity!
These are only a couple of the wonderful pieces of equipment at the new park. To learn more about Hannah's Hope, visit their site here.