Play Environments for Young Children in the USA

1800 - 1990

Abstract

This paper traces the evolution of organized playgrounds for young children from the early 1800s to the present time. Young children play at both preschool (public and private) and public park playgrounds. This history follows apreschool, child development orientation and a public park, recreation orientation. The primary focus is on preschool playgrounds, with brief reviews of recreation literature added for perspective. These parallel contexts (schools and parks) are treated in two sections: the first traces the evolution of preschool playgrounds and the second divides the 1900s into major eras of playgroundevelopment, including both the school and park contexts.