Backyard play sets keep your kids busy GOT A back yard? Then your children are lucky, because nd iurn inio a water slide. Many sets are modular so you you can provide them with a play structure that can can nalize them according to enhance their growth and development in couniiess ways. your fami y's needs. Active outdoor play is more How about a structure that in- than a chance for youngsters to ler By Sue Perry dicates a crawl-through place? In off steam. That backyard playset Contributing Writer addition to improving chiidren’s you buy for your preschoolers visual motor skilis, sech tunnel Handcrafted Furniture & Accessories from the American Desert, Also: “Sierra Kitchens” & Adobe Fireplaces 1589 Pemberton N. Vancouver 980-4112 GesiGcre now will be the centre of their social world for years to come. A child’s entir? orientation to the world develops through Taovement —- and your back yard cen be an ideal meeting place for your kids to share with their acighborhood pals. *Every action of a child at play relztes; to learning, self-image, self-awareness and _ self-esteem,’’ writes educator Clare Cherry in _ Creative Play for the Developing ” Child. “Wholesome Play involves movement of aji kin . "Yo be sure the equipment your “ghildren plays on lives up to its promise, take time to choose the Tight set. . ‘That cheap set with two swings and a:steep metal slide from the local discount store won't do: kids have too many, accidents on poorly-constructed and unsafe ‘equipment. Besides, there are so many ‘safe and exciting choices available.” - First of all, macasure your back "Yard and make:-a° sketch of the Space. Include. pre-existing struc- “tures like fences, patio, shed, trees and power poles. 7 :¥ou-don’t want to cerwhelm the space and, for safety reasons, you need to allow six-feet from all ‘immovable obstacles as a buffer .zone.: And don’t. forget to leave ome’ space free so your children _Cam-mess around with sand and ‘water and ride their wheeled toys. . Jl. Then © begin’: researching “the various configurations of equip- :ment made by different manufac- tusers. Your decision depends on the: ages of your children, the type Of - play your: children seem to prefer. and how | much you can _ spend... Since. the structure will tend to “dominate the-back yard, esthetics “will be important, too. “' Mlost playsets are designed for children ages three tec. elementary “age, or three to adult. According | to~ Debbie Kellerman of one . Waanufactuing firm, too many ‘people want to buy a set for their - one-year-old. . “*The sets are too big for them,”’ she points out.: on “BACK TO BASICS The most basic. set will include something to climb on. Climbing ‘teaches children to integrate body, “mind and space. '.. Body. control is enhanced by climbing, and experts now con- sider. bodily-kinesthctic intelligence (98 “respectable” -as other forms of intelligence. ‘Better playsets offer a variety of -- Ways’ to. climb, from ladders to ". steps to bars reaching up to plat- ‘forms. Many limit the height to -which:. children cam climb (and fall} to five feet above the ground. . What .would .a playset be without . swings? Many nursery . school teachers have noticed that the swings are the. most popular ‘gathering spot of all. According to Cherry, activities that involve children in rhythmic, repetitive movements, such as sw- . inging, ‘rockiig of seesawing, are important to the development of total dynamic body balance. Hardwood or metal swing seats have given way to rubber seats. Ropes or welded chains are more in favor than regular chains. Whiie traditional metal slides get hot, there are some cooler op- tions. One is made of yellow . fiberglass, and another is a lami- nate that you can put a wet jet oa -like spaces actusily aid the de- See Basics page €4 Buy a beautiful new kitchen from us this mon and - welll help you fill in the blanks. Merit Kitchens wil give youa $500 certificate on spanking new appliances. We are not talking about j just any kitchens. These are Merit kitchens, no less. And therein lies the very big difference. These kitchens don’t just make a value statement. Tes more like a speech. Naturally, ‘we put our time and resources into designing and crafting quality cabinetry. You see, Our kitchens are fashioned right here i ip "Western Canada with our dedication to quality throughout. We pay meticulous heed to all the details. Things like the way edges fit. Drawers glide open and close. Hand-canded finishes that feel like silk. Hinges that contain no plastic. Ts short, taking no shortcuts at all. Fake $500 and throw it in the oven. Tt’ like a blank cheque. We'll give you $500 off any new appliance you choose from a range of quality appliances. Of course we're talking about the great names. Amana, Dacor, Gaggenau and Asea. Available from all five McDonald Supply Stores. Just buy any of our custom-made kitchens before November 30, 1991 (minimum order for this offer is $5,800, offer valid on any appliance of the makes mentioned selling at regular retail price). So what is usually a great value is now that much better, 888% Royal Bank loans for the whole kit __ and caboodle. if you want your new Merit kitchen now but want to py for it later, talk to us between September 16 and November 30, 1991 about our 8. 88 to Royal Bank & financing. Quite aside from its favourable i interest rate, this loa: has pre-payment privileges without penalty restrictions. We're featuring one key design element. You. This is not assembly line or catalogue fare. Bring us your plans, your ideas or even whims and we'll take it froma there. Designi aga kitchen that looks the way you want it to. And one that works. Right from the beginning with our hassle-free installation and for years to come. Guaranteed (talk to us for details on our three-year warranty). Call us at 736-2966 or just drop in. Hucry. After November 30, 1991 this offer will be blanked out Merit Kitchens Our kitchens dont just cook. They sizzle. 2401 Burrard Street, Vancouver Monday—Kriday g:00a.M. to 5:15PM. Saturday OL00A.M. to 4:00? M. “No minamum purchase required for financing program. Applicable to retail sales ofty. 8.88% per annum on approval ot credit, terest rates subjoct to change without notice, Look tor datails in the showroom,