Playgrounds are more than just places for kids to run, climb, and play. They are spaces where children develop essential social, cognitive, and emotional skills. However, for children who have difficulty communicating, engaging with their peers in these environments can be challenging. One simple yet impactful solution to making playgrounds more inclusive is the use of a playground communication board.
What is a playground communication board?
A playground communication board is a public display featuring symbols, pictures, and words that help non-speaking or speech-limited children express themselves. These boards can be installed not only in playgrounds but also in other public locations such as schools, waterparks, museums, stores, and therapy waiting rooms. Their presence ensures that every child has an opportunity to communicate and engage with their surroundings.
Five benefits of a playground communication board
- Facilitates Communication
Communication is a fundamental human right. Every child deserves the ability to express themselves, whether they are speaking or non-speaking. A communication board provides readily available vocabulary that allows children to talk about what they see, want, or need during playtime. It enables children with speech delays, non-speaking autism, or other communication difficulties to be included in playground activities alongside their peers. - Promotes Public Awareness
Playground communication boards not only support children with communication needs but also help educate the public about speech and language development. Parents unfamiliar with neurodiversity or speech challenges may gain insight into these needs and available resources, such as early childhood intervention services. These boards also foster awareness that children with disabilities can actively participate in play when given the right tools. - Encourages Inclusion
Inclusion means ensuring that all children, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate in activities. A playground communication board prevents children from being left out due to communication barriers. When children can understand and respond to each other’s needs, friendships flourish, social skills improve, and all kids can enjoy a sense of belonging. - Supports Socialization
Social interaction is a crucial part of childhood development. A communication board removes one of the barriers to social engagement—spoken words—by allowing children to point to pictures to express themselves. It also provides a structured way to interact, which can be particularly helpful for children who thrive with visual supports, such as many autistic communicators. By facilitating structured exchanges, these boards can help bridge social gaps and foster meaningful connections among children. - Enhances Linguistic Accessibility
In diverse communities, multilingual communication boards can provide accessibility for children and families who speak languages other than English. A bilingual or multilingual board ensures that more families feel included and informed about local resources. This approach also helps bridge the information gap for non-English-speaking communities, making playgrounds more welcoming and inclusive for everyone. - Reduces Stress Around Verbal Communication
Verbal communication can be stressful for some children, especially if they feel pressure to speak in order to participate. Communication boards remove that pressure, allowing kids to communicate comfortably in ways that suit their abilities. This not only benefits children with communication disorders but also provides a useful tool for any child who may struggle with verbal expression in certain situations. - Encourages Learning
A playground communication board isn’t just for non-speaking children—it’s a learning tool for all kids. With guidance from adults, children can improve their reading skills, build picture-object associations, learn new words, and even gain exposure to different languages. These boards also promote empathy and acceptance by teaching children about different communication needs and abilities.
The Impact of Inclusion
Playgrounds should be places where all children, regardless of their communication abilities, can interact, play, and learn together. By incorporating communication boards into playgrounds and other public spaces, communities take an important step toward inclusivity. These boards not only help non-speaking children communicate but also raise awareness, encourage socialization, and promote linguistic accessibility. Investing in communication boards is an investment in a more inclusive and welcoming future for all children.
