Adapting with Global Pandemic: Challenges and Recommendations for Playground Facilities

Abstract

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been affecting numerous business sectors globally. In Indonesia, millions of children stayed home while playgrounds were closed nationwide to prevent further spread of the virus. Past research explains the importance of playground visits for children’s play and learning development, yet studies on ways to shift playground experiences and their benefits to online or other media are very rare. This paper will cover the advantages of playing in playgrounds through theoretical approach as well as offer several strategies to maintain this experience online during pandemic. Challenges, and different ways to solve them will also be discussed based on evidence of implementing those strategies by AEON Fantasy Indonesia, a Japan-based playground operator. Furthermore, not only for playground operators, recommendations featured in this study are also applicable for children, caregivers, and child development practitioners.