Specifications and Materials
Thickness:
3mm (roughly 30 sheets of copy paper).
Weight:
- Medium (29″ x 19″): 2.3 lbs
- Large (39″ x 25″): 4.06 lbs
- X-Large (48″ x 31″): 6.2 lbs
Preschool Playground
Aluminum Communication Board
Emergent Design
58 targeted symbols curated by SLPs for early childhood social play and needs.
Industrial Grade
3mm Aluminum Composite (ACM) built to withstand 5+ years of outdoor exposure.
Inclusive Literacy
Integrated QWERTY keyboard and numeric pad to bridge the gap to early spelling.
Bilingual Ready
Fitzgerald Key color-coding and bilingual support for English/Spanish learners.
Extend the Experience Anywhere
Speech Generating App for Inclusive Communication
Every communication board from Smarty Symbols comes paired with a complimentary speech-generating app, ensuring that students and staff across all communication abilities have equal access to expressive tools.
Whether used in conjunction with our physical boards or as a standalone digital solution, the free app empowers users to communicate confidently and effectively. This approach equips the entire school population with the tools to engage inclusively.
Early Childhood Inclusion
Engineered for Little Explorers
Our Preschool Playground boards are designed to foster social-emotional growth. Choose the size that provides the clearest path to inclusive play for your students.
M
Medium
29” x 19”
2.3 lbsPerfect for quiet sensory corners, calming areas, or individual classroom support.
L
Large
39” x 25”
4.06 lbsIdeal for smaller, fenced-in play areas or specialized toddler wings.
Recommended for Preschool
XL
X-Large
48” x 31”
6.2 lbsThe Inclusive Standard: Maximum visibility is key for young learners. We recommend the XL for typical playgrounds to allow multiple children to engage at once.
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.
Industrial Durability
3mm ACM Aluminum | UV-Resistant Inks | 5+ Year Life
Purchase Orders Accepted
We are registered vendors for school districts nationwide. Easily upload your documentation or download our vendor information below.
Submit a Purchase Order Here Download Smarty Symbols W-9Simple Procurement
How to Order for Your District
1
Submit Your Official PO
Upload your official district Purchase Order (PO) through our secure portal or email it directly to our billing department.
2
Expert Consultation
Our team of speech-language pathologists and designers will help you identify the best locations and board types for your campus.
3
School Customization
We collect your school logo and name to customize your headers. We can also design icons to match your specific playground equipment.
4
Proofing & Production
Approve your digital design proof. Once verified, we manufacture and ship your boards ready for immediate installation.
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.
75k+ Image Library
Entire Staff Access
Symbol Consistency
Custom Visual Supports
Easy-to-use Templates
1 Year Included
Buy Now:
Preschool School Playground Communication Board
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.
Can the communication board be customized for my school?
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.
What is the ordering process for the communication board?
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.
Is there any maintenance required?
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.
How does the color-coding system work?
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.
Do you offer bilingual communication boards in other languages?
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.
How durable is the board?
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.