ABSTRACT
The idea for playgrounds originated in Germany where they were attached to schools in order that the children might learn to play properly. The Play England document 'Design for Play: A Guide to Creating Successful Play Spaces' outlines ten guiding principles for constructing play spaces, including accessibility for disabled and non-disabled, providing for a range of play experiences and for different ages to play together, making use of natural elements and allowing for change and evolution. When people talk of the elements, they tend to think of naturally occurring phenomena, particularly rain, wind, sunshine and other aspects of the weather. However, the concept of 'five elements' is common to many cultures and is concerned with earth, air, fire, water and spirit or quintessence. Chinese medicine considers the five elements to be concerned with processes and change; interactions and relationships, with the health being a harmonious balance of all five.
