If you ask a group of kids to list their favorite subjects in school, invariably someone will jokingly say, “Recess.”

And why not? Recess, or any amount of playtime, has been shown to boost students’ learning in math and reading; and also boost standardized test scores. Outdoor playtime allows children to expend pent-up energy, explore, socialize, and develop soft skills such as problem solving.

While all schools have playgrounds and playground equipment such as slides, swings, and jungle gyms, many special needs students may have difficulty accessing the same equipment.

Effingham County Schools is in the process of adding inclusive playground equipment at all eight of the district’s elementary schools. The inclusive equipment has already been installed at Ebenezer and Blandford elementary schools.

At Ebenezer Elementary, the inclusive playground equipment is adjacent to the existing playground structure and all kids play on all the equipment. There are no barriers or signs preventing regular-ed children from using the inclusive playground. And that’s on purpose.

“There are no limitations as far as like where they can go, but this (inclusive) one is just safer for special needs kids. It's a little more interactive,” said Misti Vandenhouten, a special ed teacher who teaches second through fifth-grade students at Ebenezer. For example, the original playground doesn’t have a ramp and is lined with wood chips, so a student’s wheelchair could not roll on that surface. The inclusive playground has a floor of recycled rubber and ramps, so wheelchairs can easily roll on it. The whole point of the inclusive playground is so that all the children can play together.

Blakely Kay, a fourth grader, was wheeled up to the color wheel by her Best Buddy fifth grader Aden Walker. “Best Buddy” is an international program where a regular-ed student is paired with a special needs student. The Best Buddy organization is based in Miami, Florida, with the goal of helping students develop one-on-one relationships throughout their school career.

“Our Best Buddies program was is funded by our coffee cart which was initially bought by our Parent Teacher Student Organization,” said Vandenhouten. “They bought a cart and a Keurig for us. And my students go around every Friday and sell coffee to the staff (for $2). And that money is used to do parties for the Best Buddies group.” She added the funds from the coffee sales are used to purchase coffee in addition to hosting a Christmas party and the upcoming Valentine’s party for Best Buddies.

Vandenhouten added that Best Buddies is mostly in middle and high schools, “But we're trying to bring it down (to the elementary schools),” she added. “To build those relationships at this level, we just play, have fun, and get to know each other.”

The new playground Ebenezer was funded by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) with a total cost of $113,450.68, according to Dr. Ashly Hunter, director of exceptional students for Effingham County Schools. The other six elementary schools should have their inclusive playground equipment delivered this month, according to the district, and ready for the students by the end of this school year.

“We’re excited as a school district to have these playgrounds in place,” said Dr. Yancy Ford, superintendent of Effingham County Schools. “It’s important that we reach every student and we’re thankful for the school board’s support.”

The inclusive playground equipment was purchased from Fort Payne, Alabama-based Gametime. When the school board approved the purchase of the inclusive playground equipment for Ebenezer Elementary, it also approved the purchase for the equipment for all the district’s elementary schools using ESPLOST funds.