English: College Writing

When I began my reflections for Essay 4 I considered both my peer and professor review as well as my own thoughts I had developed through re-reading. I was able to correct a few in-text citation errors by using only the author’s last name, including quotation marks around titles, and moving periods to the end of parentheses. Some things I did that I feel improved the overall flow of the essay were to rework paragraph two to include a better topic sentence and reasons why a dog park would be an environmentally conscious decision. I also worked this into my thesis in paragraph one. Organizationally I also switched paragraph three and four, I began talking about dog benefits first, then dog owner and community benefits. Finally, I was able to locate an article that had been in the local news, The Wanderer, that mentioned a local teen’s proposal for adding a dog park to the community of Mattapoisett. I thought this was good information that tied into cost concerns in paragraph six. Overall, I feel as though my essay has higher quality organization and is corrected of technical flaws.

In the town of Mattapoisett there are many locations that ban dogs: the town square, beach, and lighthouse to name a few. In a community where you can see numerous owners walking their dogs daily in just one neighborhood I began to think of dog parks. Dog parks are now found in every state, but Alaska, and in at least six Canadian provinces. These parks generally consist of one or more acres of open grassland surrounded by a chain-link fence (Allen). While there are 80 specified dog parks and dog friendly parks in Massachusetts (“Sign in to BringFido”) when I looked up dog parks close by the only options I could find were to go west to Fall River, Massachusetts 20.5 miles and 24 minutes or east to Falmouth, Massachusetts, 33.3 miles and 40 minutes away. The addition of a dog park would not only create an area for dogs to exercise off their leash, but an environmentally conscious space and community for dog owners to socialize.

Environmentally, adding a dog park to the town of Mattapoisett would be a great concept. Currently the state of Massachusetts states that all dogs be licensed with the city, must be on a leash, and have their waste cleaned up (“Mass k9 Laws”). In Mattapoisett there are small, natural stone walls in place of fences, and the village is quite densely populated in terms of yard size. This leaves little enclosed yard space for dogs to run freely to obtain physical exercise. A dog park would solve this problem by giving adequate space for dogs of all sizes to enjoy the physical and social benefits of exercise. Also, although pick up of waste is mandatory and “doggie bags” are provided at convenient locations throughout the village, the addition of a dog park would eliminate waste throughout town and in neighbor’s yards for those who are not rule followers. This would eradicate the troubles of unpleasant and harmful waste on sidewalks and yards, as well as grass problems that can occur.

Specific benefits for dogs would be plentiful. With the abovementioned smaller, unfenced yards, a dog park would provide dogs of all sizes with physical exercise as well as an opportunity to socialize with other dogs. Health benefits for dogs who get regular physical exercise include: keeping dogs healthy, agile and limber, reducing digestive problems and constipation, helping timid or fearful dogs build confidence and trust, and keeping dogs’ weight under control (“Exercise for Dogs.”). According to the American Kennel Club, the amount of exercise varies by age and breed of dog. Puppies generally have more energy than adult dogs, and so require more exercise in short bursts – like the zoomies (when your dog takes off like a rocket and does a few laps around the house or yard at Mach speed). High-energy breeds like Border Collies and Belgian Malinois require a lot more exercise than lower-energy breeds like the Bulldog or Basset Hound (Burke).

Off-leash dog parks would not only be good for dogs, but for their owners and the community. The following are benefits that would be provided: dog parks would promote good canine physical health and socialization, reduce nuisance behaviors and make dogs better canine citizens, discourage delinquent and criminal activity in parks, encourage people to exercise and stimulate social interaction with other people, accommodate senior citizens and the disabled who cannot always walk their dogs on a leash, build a community of people committed to parks, community involvement, and the environment, and encourage compliance with local leash laws and reduce the number of dogs likely to end up in shelters (“Why Off Leash Parks Are Good for The Community”).

Additionally, off leash dog parks may improve social connectedness and overall community satisfaction by “catalyzing” social interactions. The health risks attributed to the lack of social relationships are comparable to cigarette smoking, elevated blood pressure and lack of physical activity (Rahim). Some may argue that dog parks may create a lack of physical activity among owners, however, walking to the dog park in the community and playing with one’s dog will keep owners blood pumping. In general, enhanced social capital (i.e. positive networks of relationships in the community), community satisfaction and higher neighborhood safety appear to have considerable, indirect effects on individual human health, and may be facilitated by dog ownership and use of dog parks (Rahim).

Some things that may deter communities from creating a space for dogs include cost and legalities. However, there are local businesses who depend on a strong sense of community who would be valuable partners. There are also possible grants that can be awarded. For instance, The Stanton Foundation provided the city of Woburn $7,800 to prepare a final design of their dog park. They will also be eligible to seek an additional grant from the foundation to cover 90 percent of the project’s estimated $80,000 construction cost (Laidle). Presently a local Mattapoisett teen, Freemin Bauer, displayed plans demonstrating how a dog park might fit into property already owned by the town near the current location of the Mattapoisett Police Department. He also showed how ongoing fundraising in the form of selling commemorative bricks and benches that would be situated at the location could help defray maintenance costs (Newell). As far as preserving the park, Mattapoisett already consists of several organizations of volunteers like The Women’s Club; some of their duties are to care for and maintain window boxes at the post office, library, and beach. A similar organization could be started to help care for the dog park as well.

In conclusion, the pros heavily outweigh the cons community members may have. There is evidence that proves that a dog park in Mattapoisett would provide benefits for dogs, owners, and the community as a whole. In a time where we’re all about local – local food, local businesses, etc. doesn’t it seem fitting to have a local dog park as well?

 

Works Cited

Allen, L. “Dog Parks and Liabilities.”

U.Penn.http://repository.upenn.edu/mes_capstones/18/. May 2007.

 

Burke, Anna. “How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need? – American Kennel Club.” American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/fitness/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need/.

 

“Exercise for Dogs.” WebMD, WebMD, pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/exercise-dogs.

 

Laidle, John. “Woburn Receives Grant to Design Dog Park – The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 4 Aug. 2017, www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2017/08/04/woburn-receives-grant-design-dog-park/vzTBowPX4iSlvjPOHkoAlN/story.html.

 

“Mass k9 Laws.” Dog Training & Behavior Specialist,

bostonk9concierge.com/mass-k9-laws.html.

 

Newell, Marilou. “Dog Park Proposed For Mattapoisett.” The Wanderer, 20 Nov. 2017, www.wanderer.com/news/dog-park-proposed-for-mattapoisett/.

 

Rahim, Tissa, et al. “Public Health Considerations Associated with the Location and Operation of Off-Leash Dog Parks.” SpringerLink, Springer, Dordrecht, 12 Oct. 2017, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10900-017-0428-2.

 

“Sign in to BringFido.” BringFido, www.bringfido.com/attraction/parks/state/massachusetts/.

 

“Why Off Leash Parks Are Good for The Community.” Why Off Leash Dog Parks Are Good for the Community, www.fetchparks.org/why.html.

 

Nicely done rough draft with several good points. I thought you clearly stated your problem and solution with good supporting reasons as to why the lack of a dog park was a problem. This created a clear thesis in the first paragraph. The organization of your paragraphs was good; you included dog benefits and community benefits in paragraphs two and three. I liked how in paragraph four that you were able to include local news stating that there is already a viable space for a dog park and how your reasons were persuasive. Your sources seemed credible and properly cited. I especially liked the addition of the local paper. However, I didn’t see any in-text citations. I saw several quotation marks surrounding what seemed liked research you had collected. I would just add the author or source you collected your evidence from and put it in parentheses after information you gathered from these sources. Overall, great rough draft with a few minor changes to be made. 

I will be the first to admit that research papers aren’t my favorite from of writing. With that being said, I feel I took the constructive criticism well in revising Essay 3. It’s been quite some time since I had to cite anything or write an annotated bibliography. I found two of my sources weren’t as credible as they could have been. I found two new sources, one from a Ph.D. and one from an author for Parents magazine, with reliable information that I exchanged. I found that by adding the two new sources I was able to give better statistics about playtime decreasing in paragraph one. I felt this took the paragraph from being a summary to more of a concentrated paragraph about playtime decreasing. My new sources also aided me in refocusing each paragraph to have a stronger topic sentence and better information throughout. I feel my paragraphs now focus on each benefit of the various types of child development and why play is important to each. Using some of the citation references I was able to edit my works cited as well as my in-text citations.

It is highly necessary to upgrade the school playground to match current trends as play is highly important in a child’s development. Lately, play time in schools has been declining. Less play often leads to behavior problems, health problems, difficulty in school, and stunted growth. With the demands children are placed under in times of standardized testing, taking away their time to play is detrimental to their development. Children who do not play or who do not have the opportunity to play are at increased risk for abnormal development and deviant behavior. Without play, self-control does not develop adequately. (Goldstein, Jeffrey)

Independent play fosters imagination and problem-solving skills. It also provides a physical release, especially when children spend so many hours in school. Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. (Ginsburg, K. R., et al) A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that kids were more likely to figure out a toy’s happy surprises (the noises it can make, how it’s able to move) when left alone with it than if a teacher first showed them how to use it — or if they overheard a teacher teach another child how to use it. (Phillips, Ashley)

In recent years there has been more recognition of the health benefits and uses of play, from dealing with depression and obesity, to reducing ADHD. ADHD is the fastest-growing behavioral problem among young people, estimated to affect 8% of school-age children. Its rise has coincided with a reduction in outdoor spaces for play and recreation. (Goldstein, Jeffrey) Creating an updated playground is key to giving our youth a viable area to aid in positive mental and physical body image.

More than just physical health, social and cognitive development should also be considered. With increasing understanding of development, well-designed playgrounds can provide activities which stimulate development in a holistic way. For example, climbing activities which require children to cross their hands over increase the connectivity between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. (Gummer, Amanda) Children age five to seven years with proficient pretend play skills are socially competent with peers and are able to engage in classroom activities. Children who scored poorly on the play assessment were more likely to have difficulty interacting with their peers and engaging in school activities. Social competence is related to a child’s ability to engage in pretend play. (Goldstein, Jeffrey)

Important upgrades have been made to modern playgrounds. Blacktop has been replaced my recycled rubber tiles or chips to ensure safety. Wheelchair accommodations have been made by providing handicap accessibility swings as well as ramps to explore climbing structures of the playground and have slide access.

Children who are given opportunities to engage in invented play give themselves parts and work out regulations governing play to collaborate with others, much like skills that are needed to be a successful and professional adult. It’s critical for children to play daily on their own accord. It has vast positive influences on children’s development and learning. Research from founding educational theorists acknowledge the benefits of nurturing all areas of child development: social, cognitive, emotional. Learning is achieved through play and is necessary for social development.

 

 

Works Cited

Goldstein, Jeffrey. Play in Children’s Development, Health, and Well-Being. Feb. 2012, www.ornes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Play-in-children-s-development-health-and-well-being-feb-2012.pdf.

Jeffrey Goldstein, Ph.D. is a research associate, author, and is on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Early Childhood Education. His article goes into depth on the importance of play, varieties of play, and factor of play in health.

 

Gummer, Amanda. “The Role Of The Modern Playgrounds In Child Development.” Fundamentally Children, 3 Jan. 2018, www.fundamentallychildren.com/2012/09/06/the-role-of-the-modern-playground-in-child-development/.

Written by Dr. Gunner, this article provides information discussing the importance of child development and the role playgrounds play. It includes differentiation that should be provided on the playground, like that in a classroom. There is also a section that touches upon parent-centered model of parenting and how playgrounds aren’t just for children. This is developed from the work of Vygotsky, Bruner Sameroff and Gardiner; theorists in education and child development.

 

Ginsburg, K. R., et al. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.” Pediatrics, vol. 119, no. 1, 2007, pp. 182–191., doi:10.1542/peds.2006-2697.

Play is essential to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. This article addresses the benefits of play and the repercussions of reduced child-driven play. With the article being published in The American Academy of Pediatrics the source seems to be valid and reliable.

 

Morin, Amanda. “5 Playground Activities That Can Help Your Child’s Development.” Understood.org, www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/child-social-situations/playgrounds-playdates/5-playground-activities-that-can-help-your-childs-development.

Former teacher Amanda Morin is the author of The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education. This article is reviewed by Elizabeth Harstad, M.D., M.P.H., a developmental behavioral pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital. The importance of specific activities that enhance both fine and gross motor activities are important topics. Links are provided within sections of the article to get information pertaining to playground behavior and interactions.

 

Phillips, Ashley. “Going Solo: Independent Play in Toddlers.” Parents, Parents, 6 Dec. 2017, www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/social/going-solo-independent-play-in-toddlers/.

This article discusses the value of independent play in children. Examples of steps to take in aiding children to participate in more independent play are also cited. Parents Magazine is a reputable source where parents all over the world subscribe to be better informed on the development of their children.

 

 

In the town of Mattapoisett there are many locations that ban dogs: the town square, beach, and lighthouse to name a few. In a community where you can see numerous owners walking their dogs daily in just one neighborhood I began to think of dog parks. Dog parks are now found in every state, but Alaska, and in at least six Canadian provinces. These parks generally consist of one or more acres of open grassland surrounded by a chain-link fence. (Allen) While there are 80 specified dog parks and dog friendly parks in Massachusetts (BringFido) when I looked up dog parks close by the only options I could find were to go west to Fall River, Massachusetts 20.5 miles and 24 minutes or east to Falmouth, Massachusetts, 33.3 miles and 40 minutes away. The addition of a dog park would not only create an area for dogs to exercise off their leash, but a community for dog owners to socialize.

Currently the state of Massachusetts states that all dogs be licensed with the city, must be on a leash, and have their waste cleaned up. (Mass k9 Laws) In Mattapoisett there is an essence of natural stone walls in place of fences, and the village is quite densely populated in terms of yard size. This leaves little enclosed yard space for dogs to run freely to obtain physical exercise. Although pick up of waste is mandatory and “doggie bags” are provided at convenient locations throughout the village, the addition of a dog park would eliminate waste throughout town and in neighbor’s yards for those who are not rule followers.

Off-leash dog parks would not only be good for dogs, but for their owners and the community. The following are benefits that would be provided: dog parks would promote good canine physical health and socialization, reduce nuisance behaviors and make dogs better canine citizens, discourage delinquent and criminal activity in parks, encourage people to exercise and stimulate social interaction with other people, accommodate senior citizens and the disabled who cannot always walk their dogs on a leash, build a community of people committed to parks, community involvement, and the environment, and encourage compliance with local leash laws and reduce the number of dogs likely to end up in shelters. (Why Off Leash Parks Are Good for The Community)

Specific benefits for dogs would be plentiful. With the above mentioned smaller, unfenced yards, a dog park would provide dogs of all sizes with physical exercise as well as an opportunity to socialize with other dogs. Health benefits for dogs who get regular physical exercise include: keeping dogs healthy, agile and limber, reducing digestive problems and constipation, helping timid or fearful dogs build confidence and trust, and keeping dogs’ weight under control. (“Exercise for Dogs.”) According to the American Kennel Club, the amount of exercise varies by age and breed of dog. Puppies generally have more energy than adult dogs, and so require more exercise in short bursts – like the zoomies (when your dog takes off like a rocket and does a few laps around the house or yard at Mach speed). High-energy breeds like Border Collies and Belgian Malinois require a lot more exercise than lower-energy breeds like the Bulldog or Basset Hound. (Burke, Anna)

Additionally, off leash dog parks may improve social connectedness and overall community satisfaction by “catalyzing” social interactions. The health risks attributed to the lack of social relationships are comparable to cigarette smoking, elevated blood pressure and lack of physical activity. (Rahim, Tissa, et al) Some may argue that dog parks may create a lack of physical activity among owners, however, walking to the dog park in the community and playing with one’s dog will keep owners blood pumping. In general, enhanced social capital (i.e. positive networks of relationships in the community), community satisfaction and higher neighborhood safety appear to have considerable, indirect effects on individual human health, and may be facilitated by dog ownership and use of dog parks. (Rahim, Tissa, et al)

Some things that may deter communities from creating a space for dogs include cost and legalities. However, there are local businesses who depend on a strong sense of community who would be valuable partners. There are also possible grants that can be awarded. For instance, The Stanton Foundation provided the city of Woburn $7,800 to prepare a final design of their dog park. They will also be eligible to seek an additional grant from the foundation to cover 90 percent of the project’s estimated $80,000 construction cost. (Laidle, John) As far as preserving the park, Mattapoisett already consists of several organizations of volunteers like The Women’s Club; some of their duties are to care for and maintain window boxes at the post office, library, and beach. A similar organization could be started to help care for the dog park as well.

In conclusion, the pros heavily outweigh the cons community members may have. There is evidence that proves that a dog park in Mattapoisett would provide benefits for dogs, owners, and the community as a whole. In a time where we’re all about local – local food, local businesses, etc. doesn’t it seem fitting to have a local dog park as well?

 

Works Cited

Allen, L. “Dog Parks and Liabilities.”

U.Penn.http://repository.upenn.edu/mes_capstones/18/. May 2007.

 

Burke, Anna. “How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need? – American Kennel Club.” American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/fitness/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need/.

 

“Exercise for Dogs.” WebMD, WebMD, pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/exercise-dogs.

 

Laidle, John. “Woburn Receives Grant to Design Dog Park – The Boston

Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 4 Aug. 2017, www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2017/08/04/woburn-receives-grant-design-dog-park/vzTBowPX4iSlvjPOHkoAlN/story.html.

 

“Mass k9 Laws.” Dog Training & Behavior Specialist,

bostonk9concierge.com/mass-k9-laws.html.

 

Rahim, Tissa, et al. “Public Health Considerations Associated with the Location and Operation of Off-Leash Dog Parks.” SpringerLink, Springer, Dordrecht, 12 Oct. 2017, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10900-017-0428-2.

 

“Sign in to BringFido.” BringFido,

www.bringfido.com/attraction/parks/state/massachusetts/.

 

“Why Off Leash Parks Are Good for The Community.” Why Off Leash Dog Parks Are Good for the Community, www.fetchparks.org/why.html.

 

Your sources seem to be reputable and give relevant information on playground importance to child development. Nice job creating the hyperlinks for the URL’s, I’m still working on finalizing this myself on my own works cited. Your paragraphs are unified, focused, and coherent. Paragraph one is a good intro and thesis, paragraph two includes many important points that are cited properly, and paragraph three provides a good conclusion. I especially like the way you ended with a question and solution cited by Hollman. Some information may be common knowledge such as how “this generation of personal devices and video games increases children staying inside,” however, most of your information would not likely be information the audience already knows. The in-text citations look correct as they include proper information and are in parentheses.

When I began to revise Essay 2 I was still hesitant on a concrete thesis. I was analyzing critiques on how my essay had more of a focusing question rather than a thesis and how it wasn’t quite answered through my findings. I read information posted on writing thesis statements and admit I found myself overthinking and having a difficult time relating it to this assignment. This is a scenario where being in an actual classroom and doing exercises with the professor and other students to create sample thesis statements would have been beneficial. I’m still slightly unsure if my thesis statement is strong enough. I do, however, feel that my findings relate back to my statement. I do think I’ve improved my focus overall in this essay compared to past essays with topic sentences, well-organized paragraphs, and readability. I do hope to continue to improve my knowledge on writing a strong thesis and following it up with an effective account of my findings.

I’m probably not the norm when I say this, but for a man, I enjoy shopping; sometimes. I will confess that’s more the case with tools and clothes for myself and not groceries and household items where I let my wife take the lead. I chose to observe a store where I end up frequenting often with my wife as it’s a go to with several of life’s necessities. The one and only, bright red bull’s eye; Target. I thought about key points made by Paco Underhill in Gladwell’s article as I drove to the store; listening to the list of items we needed to purchase in the distance and relating that back to men’s lack of lists. I thought about downshifting; how fast a person is walking and when their eye catches a display and decompression zones; how customer interaction increases thirty percent once a display is moved to the back edge of a zone, (Gladwell) which are things I’ve never stopped to think about. Many points made in Gladwell’s article about Paco Underhill’s theories are visible based on my observations.

I pull into the parking lot and can already tell the store is going to be mayhem due to the sparse quantity of parking spots available. There are rogue carts propped up on curbs, but the majority are in the cart corrals. I noticed the volume of carts in the enclosures weren’t excessive like with some stores which makes me think there’s an adequate number of employees bringing them back in. The landscaping is minimal around the parking lot; only a few bushes here and there. The front of the store is minimal but clean and inviting. Those strange red spheres line the sidewalk across the front of the store; I still haven’t determined their purpose. As I walk through the second set of sliding doors the chaos hits; the decompression zone. Underhill states to “never, ever put anything of value in this zone-not shopping baskets or tie racks or big promotional displays-because no one is going to see it.” (Gladwell) I immediately smell the aroma of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee and recently popped popcorn from the snack counter to my left. People are trying to claim a cart or shopping basket; which are in an inconvenient spot almost behind the registry kiosk. The germ-a-phoebes search for the antibacterial wipes. The process of finding the wipes, going backward to the carts, then searching for a receptacle to dispose of your wipe is quite a confusing process.

As I feel I’ve made it through the decompression zone the section of frivolous shelves and baskets of nonsense as I call it lures women and children over. Seasonal knick-knacks, excesses of inexpensive children’s toys, and every useless item you probably won’t use, but are driven to buy, for your 4^th of July barbeque. I notice a couple with their two children drawn to the space. She browses the feminine tea towels and banners while the children plead for the multitudes of toys they simply must have. Tantrums commence when they’re told “no, you have plenty of toys at home.” I conclude they are smart shoppers as neither woman nor children add any items to the cart. I pass an eye level shelving display full of summer must-haves; a smore’s extravaganza of massive Jet-Puffed marshmallows, Hershey’s chocolate bars, and Honey Maid graham crackers. The same family has added one of each to their cart, which happens to result in a reward of a five-dollar Target gift card; there’s the smart shopper thought again. “How about we make smore’s this weekend, doesn’t that sound fun?” Mom and dad say to calm the anguish of not getting a toy. It seems a family activity everyone can enjoy made the cut over individual wants.

Decision time, go straight ahead towards women’s clothing or take a left where children’s clothing and health and beauty sit in the distance? I think about the Underhill stating the Invariant Right. (Gladwell) Many people take a right when they go into the store and this isn’t an option in this store. Although I am with my wife, who I feel is a sensible shopper and not drawn into gimmicks, I find us walking left despite the women’s clothing ahead. Entering health and beauty, a variety of people are sprinkled throughout the different aisles. Families, couples, and single men and women. I notice women comparing products and prices of make-up, toothpaste, and lotion; while men just find the first deodorant display and throw it into their shopping basket. I remember the article at this point describing the differences in men and women’s shopping habits. “Women have more patience than men,” and “Men are more distractible.” (Gladwell)

Continuing I see every section of the store is clearly marked; health and beauty, baby, grocery, home essentials, etc., but doesn’t seem to be laid out in a specific order like a grocery store which makes you walk the perimeter to collect your necessities. Could it be the fact that when you go to Target you need a plethora of different items and end up making a loop around the perimeter or waltzing up and down the aisles with your Starbuck’s venti iced caramel macchiato because the atmosphere is strangely inviting? The displays are warm and eye-catching, tempting everyone to stop and glance even if they have no need for the item. They invite and distract consumers to pause and brush against different fabrics and materials. A living room presentation in the home section has people of all ages stopping to touch downy pillows, sit on the oversized chairs, and analyze metallic knick-knacks. In the back corner of the store, opposite of the entrance, is the seasonal section. I think of this as being “zone four” (Gladwell) and have thought back to every section and display I’ve since passed to get here. All the superfluous distractions I’ve gone by to arrive at the new grill, patio set, and pool toys I need as summer is finally here.

I take a moment to really analyze the individuals in this area, as it’s crawling with people; mostly families. Children are drawn to mesh bags of beach toys and brightly colored pool floats in the shapes of pizza and flamingos. They request items and even state their case as to why they need it, “our old shovels have broken because that rocky beach,” “my floaty from last year has a hole in it,” and “sparklers are so cool!” They are quite persuasive. Even husbands state cases for needing a new grill or cooler with a radio, USB plug, and bottle cap removing combination. “Honey, look! You can ride it!” He sits on the motorized cooler and steers his way down the aisle, I chuckle as this is something I can see myself doing. It seems that most women are the “wallet carriers” (Gladwell) in this particular store.

The store is swarming with employees, yet I don’t see them interacting with customers. None of them ask if they can help someone with anything, except in electronics. I notice many of the employees being college students or older people, perhaps supplementing income. They don’t seem invested in selling anything, I assume they don’t get commission either. I think of Underhill stating, “beneath the pleasure and the frivolity of the shopping experience runs an undercurrent of manipulation, and that anxiety has rarely seemed more justified than today.” (Gladwell) This statement doesn’t seem accurate with this store as the employees aren’t hounding and pressuring customers. However, they are somewhat helpful as an elderly woman asks, “where can I find the canning jars?”

In conclusion, I found myself paying more attention to the advertising and product placement than I ever have before. I used to just saunter around the store helping locate items on the list, rather than think about where things are in a store or how high or low something is on a shelf based on adults and children’s wants and needs. It’s eerie to think that everything we buy is recorded and sold to market-research firms, our behaviors recorded and analyzed through tiny cameras in the ice cream freezers. I suppose these analysts will forever be “awed by the infinite complexity and the ultimate mystery of human behavior.” (Gladwell)

 

Gladwell, Malcolm. “The Science of Shopping.” The New Yorker (1996): 66-75.

It is highly necessary to upgrade the school playground to match current trends as play is highly important in a child’s development. Lately, play time in schools has been declining. Less play often leads to behavior problems, health problems, difficulty in school, and stunted growth. With the demands children are placed under in times of standardized testing, taking away their time to play is detrimental to their development. Independent play fosters imagination and problem-solving skills. It also provides a physical release, especially when children spend so many hours in school. Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. (Kenneth R. Ginsburg and the Committee on Communications)

More than just physical health, social and cognitive development should also be considered. With increasing understanding of development, well-designed playgrounds can provide activities which stimulate development in a holistic way. For example, climbing activities which require children to cross their hands over increase the connectivity between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. (Gunner)

Important upgrades have been made to modern playgrounds. Blacktop has been replaced my recycled rubber tiles or chips to ensure safety. Wheelchair accommodations have been made by providing handicap accessibility swings as well as ramps to explore climbing structures of the playground and have slide access.

Children who are given opportunities to engage in invented play give themselves parts and work out regulations governing play to collaborate with others, much like skills that are needed to be a successful and professional adult. It’s critical for children to play daily on their own accord. It has immense positive influences on children’s development and learning. Research from founding educational theorists acknowledge the benefits of nurturing all areas of child development: social, cognitive, emotional. Learning is achieved through play and is necessary for social development.

 

Coyne, Dr. Malie. https://www.rollercoaster.ie/Article/Your-child’s-development/The-importance-of-playgrounds-in-child-development. n.d. 28 June 2018.

Coyne is a Clinical Child Psychologist who holds Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in psychology and psychiatry as well as special interests in creative therapies and certificates in play therapies. This article discusses how playgrounds promote emotional development and positive mental health in children. Examples of creative problem solving that help improve neural pathways in brain development are also cited.

Gunner, Dr. Amanda. Fundamentally Children.” 6 September 2012. http://www.fundamentallychildren.com/2012/09/06/the-role-of-the-modern-playground-in-child-development/. 28 June 2018.

Written by Dr. Gunner, this article provides information discussing the importance of child development and the role playgrounds play. It includes differentiation that should be provided on the playground, like that in a classroom. There is also a section that touches upon parent-centered model of parenting and how playgrounds aren’t just for children. This is developed from the work of Vygotsky, Bruner Sameroff and Gardiner; theorists in education and child development.

Kenneth R. Ginsburg and the Committee on Communications, and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.” The American Academy of Pediatrics (2007): Volume 119/Issue 1.

Play is essential to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. This article addresses the benefits of play and the repercussions of reduced child-driven play. With the article being published in The American Academy of Pediatrics the source seems to be valid and reliable.

Morin, Amanda. https://www/understood.org/en/friends-feelings/child-social-situations/playgrounds-playdates/5-playground-activities-that-can-help-your-childs-development. n.d. 28 June 2018.

Former teacher Amanda Morin is the author of The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education. This article is reviewed by Elizabeth Harstad, M.D., M.P.H., a developmental behavioral pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital. The importance of specific activities that enhance both fine and gross motor activities are important topics. Links are provided within sections of the article to get information pertaining to playground behavior and interactions.

Sharif, Shahidullah. “School Playground: Its impact on children’s learning and development.” Arnec Connections (2014).

This article discusses how a school playground has an impact on children’s learning and development. Play is the key to physical, metal, intellectual, and social well being of children. There are citations that correlate play with higher attendance rates and reduced symptoms of attention disorders.