A nursing intervention to ensure a safe playground environment

J Pediatr Health Care. 1996 Sep-Oct;10(5):209-16. doi: 10.1016/S0891-5245(96)90003-6.

Abstract

Unintentional injuries sustained on school playgrounds are a continual problem not only for children but also for the school nurses who are concerned with their safety. A group of school nurses organized by the local health department's pediatric nurse practitioner responded proactively to this problem by enlisting both school officials and students to accept joint responsibility for a safe play environment. The school nurses assisted the staff in providing a safe play environment and encouraged the students to behave in a safe and acceptable manner on the playground. The nurses developed (a) a Playground Safety Assessment Guide for the school staff to establish and maintain a safe play environment, (b) an in-service session for playground monitors to learn how to supervise children at recess, and (c) a student-oriented program for the children to improve behavior on the playground based on a program conceived by Utah State University (Daug & Fukui, 1988). School nurses and pediatric nurse practitioners can use this program as a model for other schools to improve the physical play environment and behavior of the children at recess.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Behavior
  • Humans
  • Nurse Practitioners / organization & administration*
  • Nursing Assessment*
  • Pediatric Nursing / organization & administration*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Play and Playthings*
  • Safety*
  • School Nursing / organization & administration*
  • Wounds and Injuries / prevention & control*