School Playground
Communication Board
Our Inclusion Installation Gallery
Real-world examples of our communication boards empowering students across the country.
Little Mountain Elementary
Milaca Elementary School
Springbrook Foundation
Lewis Elementary School
Delaware Early Childhood Center
Ludlow Elementary School
Pride Elementary School
Mexico Public Schools
Clinton Community Elementary School
Hawthorne Elementary School
Dowell Elementary School
Spring Run Elementary
The Anatomy of Superior School Design
Our boards are complete communication ecosystems, featuring 120+ points of interaction designed for real-world representation.
Global Human Representation
We believe every child deserves to see themselves on the board. Our design features diverse skin tones, varied ethnicities, and children with visible disabilities (such as wheelchairs and hearing aids) to foster a true sense of belonging and humanity on the playground.
Built-in School Instructions
Designed for the "busy playground," our board includes three distinct instructional zones. These guide Teachers on modeling, Kids on responding, and Peers on how to invite new friends—eliminating the need for constant staff supervision.
Environment-Specific Fringe
While generic boards stop at "Go," we prioritize high-interest "Playground Fringe." We include specific icons for the Slide, Swing, Monkey Bars, and Seesaw, ensuring students have the vocabulary for the equipment they actually use.
Integrated Literacy & QWERTY
To support evolving literacy, we include a full alphabet and a standard QWERTY keyboard layout. This allows students to transition from symbols to spelling names and unique words.
Why Generic Core Boards Fail on Playgrounds
Generic Core Boards
- ❌ Lacks Diversity: Often uses static, "stick-figure" or single-ethnicity icons.
- ❌ Equipment Context: No vocabulary for swings, slides, or playground games.
- ❌ Zero Guidance: Does not include instructions for recess monitors or peer playmates.
- ❌ Limited Vocabulary: Usually restricted to 30-40 basic home-based words.
Smarty Symbols School Boards
- ✅ Inclusive Representation: Multi-ethnic icons and disability representation.
- ✅ Playground Optimized: Dedicated sections for specific school play equipment.
- ✅ Pedagogical Instructions: Real-time "how-to" guides for teachers and students.
- ✅ 120+ Interaction Points: Comprehensive vocabulary for full sentence building.
Physical & Digital Synergy
Expressive GO: A New Era of Communication
Every Smarty Symbols board includes a complimentary Expressive GO speech-generating app, ensuring your school’s inclusive environment extends beyond physical signage.
Designed by SLPs, Expressive GO allows students to carry their voice everywhere—from the classroom to the nurse's office—ensuring consistency across all campus communication zones.
Precision Engineering for Schools
Choose the Perfect Scale for Your Playground
Our aluminum composite (ACM) boards are engineered for high-energy school environments. Select the dimensions that ensure clear, inclusive dialogue for all your students.
Medium
29” x 19”
2.3 lbsIdeal for sensory gardens, focused therapy zones, or specialized preschool pods.
Large
39” x 25”
4.06 lbsA great secondary board for smaller playground areas or side fences.
X-Large
48” x 31”
6.2 lbsThe Industry Standard for K-5: Provides the maximum visibility and surface area required for multiple students to interact at once during busy recess periods.
Bespoke School Solutions
Tailored to Your Campus Identity
Every playground tells a story. We don't believe in one-size-fits-all accessibility. Our design team works directly with your school to ensure your communication board is a seamless extension of your campus culture and specific play environment.
Industrial Material Specifications
Engineered for the rigorous demands of public school playgrounds, our boards utilize advanced composite technology to ensure permanent accessibility.
3mm Aluminum Composite (ACM)
Constructed with two high-strength .008" aluminum sheets permanently bonded to a solid, impact-resistant polyethylene core.
Extreme Weather Resilience
Engineered to remain structurally sound in extreme temperatures and high-moisture environments without warping or delaminating.
UV-Stable Protective Inks
Printed with eco-friendly UV-protected inks that resist fading and oxidation, maintaining high-contrast legibility for an estimated 5+ years.
Maintenance & Hygiene
The non-porous surface is chemically resistant, allowing for easy cleaning and sanitization with standard school-grade disinfectants.
Physical Thickness: 3mm (Approx. 30 sheets of copy paper)
| Property | Specification Detail |
|---|---|
| Structural Weight (XL) | 6.2 lbs — High strength-to-weight ratio for safe overhead mounting |
| Tensile Strength | Reinforced by dual .008" aluminum cladding for impact resistance |
| Lifespan Expectancy | 5+ Years in direct outdoor exposure with proper care |
| Sustainability | Eco-friendly UV inks and 100% recyclable aluminum composite core |
Purchase boards directly using a school card, or submit an official district Purchase Order.
Order Online (Credit Card) Submit a Purchase Order Download Smarty Symbols W-9Simple Procurement
How to Order for Your District
Design also available in high contrast
Designed for Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and high-glare environments, our black-substrate series is the result of strategic chromatography and clinical feedback.
Reduced Visual Complexity
By using a non-reflective black background, we effectively "delete" background noise. This allows students to direct their visual attention solely to the 120+ communication points without competing with reflective glare.
Optimized for CVI Phases
Students in earlier CVI phases often prioritize high-saturation colors. Our SLP-vetted palette uses "luminous" hues that appear to glow against the dark substrate, aiding in faster icon identification.
Environmental Light Management
The dark surface absorbs ambient UV rays, mitigating the light-scatter and "wash-out" effects that occur on standard white boards in high-noon playground conditions.
Accessibility for Low Vision
Increased contrast ratios between the symbols and the board improve edge-definition, making it easier for students with reduced visual acuity to differentiate between similar icons.
3mm ACM Aluminum | UV-Resistant Inks | 5+ Year Life
Buy Now:
School Playground Communication Board
Empower Staff. Enrich Learning.
Extend the power of inclusive communication beyond the playground. Smarty Symbols Studio allows your staff to create consistent visual supports that mirror the vocabulary on your permanent boards.
Exclusive Inclusion: Every Communication Board purchase includes 1-Year of FREE access to Smarty Symbols Studio for your entire school staff.
Beyond the Playground: School-Wide Inclusion
Inclusive communication shouldn't stop at the school doors. Our School-Wide Access Plan provides functional, setting-based vocabulary wherever your students learn, play, and seek care.
- Specialized vocabulary for the Nurse, Library, and Art room
- Consistent "Core Language" design across all campus locations
- Seamless digital integration via the Expressive GO app
- Unified support for teachers, paras, and specialized therapists
- Exclusive 20% bundle discount for full-campus implementation
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to your most common questions about our communication boards and services, helping you create a more inclusive and supportive environment from the start.
Yes! The board can be personalized with your school’s name and logo to create a professional and welcoming environment for students. We can also match the color of the board to your district or organization’s logo color for a cohesive look. Once the order is placed, our team will reach out to request a high-resolution version of your logo. You can also customize the vocabulary or symbols used on the board to better fit the specific needs of your students.
You can order the board directly from our website or contact our sales team for a custom quote. After you provide your school’s details, we’ll send you a design proof for approval before production begins. Once the design is finalized, the board will be produced and shipped to you.
Our outdoor playground communication boards are made from durable, weather-resistant materials, including 3mm aluminum with a polyethylene core and printed with eco-friendly, fade-resistant UV ink. To keep your board in excellent condition:
- Regular Cleaning: Wipe the board with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, or debris. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the UV protective coating.
- Inspect for Damage: Regularly check the board for any signs of wear, especially around the mounting points. If necessary, tighten any loose hardware to ensure the board stays securely in place.
- UV Protection: Our boards come with an extra UV protection layer, ensuring they resist fading and maintain their vibrant colors for up to 5+ years, even in outdoor conditions.
- Long-Term Care: Depending on the local climate, you may want to inspect the board seasonally to ensure it continues to look and function its best.
With proper care, your outdoor communication board will last many years, providing an inclusive and engaging experience for children.
The communication board uses the Fitzgerald Key color-coding system, a widely recognized method in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This system categorizes symbols by color to represent different parts of speech, making it easier for students to find and use the correct words. For example, verbs might be in green, nouns in orange, and descriptors in purple. This intuitive system simplifies communication, especially for students with special education needs, by helping them quickly locate the symbols they need to express their thoughts and feelings.
Yes, we offer bilingual boards! We currently have boards available in English/Spanish and English/Portuguese. However, our team is able to design bilingual boards in any language combination at no additional cost. Simply let us know your preferred languages when placing your order, and we will customize the board to meet your needs.
Our communication boards are designed for long-lasting durability, made from 3mm aluminum with a solid polyethylene core. They are printed with eco-friendly, UV-resistant ink and coated with an additional UV-protective glossy layer to withstand harsh outdoor elements. Whether used indoors or outdoors, these boards are resistant to fading, abrasion, and weather damage. With proper installation and care, the board can last for 5+ years outdoors.