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Hello, my name is Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer. I serve as an expert witness in playground injury lawsuits and have spent the last 15 years reviewing some of the most serious and preventable playground injuries affecting children today.

I have seen children suffer traumatic brain injuries, eye injuries, broken bones, and other life-altering harm. Recently I have seen an uptick in playground injuries and requests for expert witness cases.

In many cases, inadequate supervision was a contributing factor. Proper playground supervision training can significantly reduce preventable injuries and improve student safety. Schools are being faced with multi-million dollar injury law suits.

That is why I created practical supervision tools and training programs for preschools, elementary schools, and after-school programs, including:

• Early Childhood Education Supervision Course
• K–6 Playground Supervision Course
• Playground Supervision Guide
• Free professional articles and resources for educators

My mission is to provide schools and youth programs with the knowledge, strategies, and tools they need to create safer play environments and help protect children from preventable injuries.

Playground Injuries: Where Children Get Injured on Playgrounds

By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

Playground injury data

Playground injury data is typically taken from children arriving at a hospital emergency room for treatment. This information provides an opportunity to review your playground and analyze problem areas where most injuries occur.

Where Children Get Injured:

About 45% of playground-related injuries are severe fractures, Internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and sometimes even amputations (Tnsworth 2001).

75% of nonfatal injuries related to playground equipment occur on public playgrounds such as schools and day care centers.

On occasion, a small percentage of playground injuries result in death. (70%) of injuries resulting in deaths occur on home playgrounds. When children die as a result of playground injuries 56% of the time it is from strangulation and 20% of the time it is a result of falls to the surfacing.

At-Risk Groups

55% of injuries are to girls

45% of injuries are to boys

*NEW ONLINE COURSE*

Why Certified Playground Supervision Training is Essential

Certified playground supervision training is essential because schools are held to a “reasonably prudent” standard—and placing untrained adults in charge of student safety can be viewed as negligence. Trained supervisors actively scan, anticipate risks, and intervene before injuries occur, while untrained staff often miss hazards and supervise passively, increasing both injury risk and liability. Most importantly, documented training becomes a school’s primary defense in the event of an injury, demonstrating that proactive steps were taken to protect students.



Course Description

The Peaceful Playgrounds Online ECE Playground Supervisor Training is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, parents, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground.

This course details playground surfacing, play structure, safety, and playground supervision.

ONLINE COURSE OPTIONS

Playground Supervisor Training

Bullying Prevention Training

Grant Writing Course

Recess Before Lunch Training

Pedometer Walking Program Training

**NEW Course Bundle**

$2,250

How to Have A Peaceful Playground

Low Cost, High Activity Playground

Playground and Strategies for Improving Recess

Want a Safe Playground? Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program is the Solution.

The Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program transforms chaotic play areas into structured, inclusive, and safe environments. By clearly marking out designated game zones and providing staff with consistent training and behavior expectations, the program reduces playground conflicts and injuries. With over 100 easy-to-implement games and activities, students stay engaged and active, which naturally decreases unsafe or unsupervised behavior. The result is a calmer, more organized recess that promotes cooperation, reduces discipline issues, and ensures every child has a place to play.

RESEARCH SHOWS:

The 43% of playground injuries are going to or coming from the playground. We have a management system that addresses this issue within the program.

The recess program is low-cost, affordable, easy to implement and you can start now!

The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 5 million children annually for over 27 years!

Contact us. We can assist you with brochures, estimate and everything you need to get started today.

(951) 245-6970 or officestaff@peacefulplaygrounds.com

The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 4 million children annually for over 28 years!

Recess is a right, not a reward.

Withholding play harms children’s ability to focus, self-regulate, and engage in class. Positive behavior systems work better than taking recess away.

June 2026 Winner

Jessica Hall - Cobblestone Elementary

Enter your school today in the "Learn to Play" US Map Playground Map Stencil Giveaway. The beautiful geographically and proportionately accurate educational map stencil is 20 feet by 36 feet and extends the classroom curriculum to recess and outdoor play. History and geography come alive with the games and activities included in the stencil set.

You might be the next winner. Good Luck!

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