The purpose of recess (or break time/play time) as I understand it, is for children to let off steam and do their own thing, having been subjected to periods of time in which they had to concentrate on subjects they may have no interest in/find difficult.
The more rules we apply, the more we denigrate free play as a worthwhile experience and it cannot fulfil its original function.
I work in an elementary school and find some of the recess rules absurd. Unfortunately, many parents are quick to anger if their child sustains an injury. Perfect protection is the expectation, and as Imelda commented, many parents are quick to consider legal options (at least, that is the fear that seems to drive the behavior of school administrators).
Such a contrast in approaches. I think in the US from what I observe and hear the insurance aspect dictates so much, as parents can be litigious. It's similar in Ireland in recent years, some schools have insurance policies for each individual child at a low cost which helps. In early years' settings some inspectors can be quite 'zealous' and settings need to have robust policies and risk management in place to counteract that. It is a joy to watch those children in New Zealand, great headmaster, congratulations!
I agree with what you’re saying Peter, but I think these rules tell a story!! They’re obviously trying to “ train” a variety of low paid, unskilled supervisors with no budget or time to do the job. By providing them with this level of detail they think they’re covering all the bases!
As usual with play (and all high level activities ) without highly skilled professionals who should be remunerated appropriately, input = output. That’s a whole different level.
The main concern here is that children don’t get hurt and there are no lawsuits!!
The playground rules stated above are straight out of hell - as if someone deliberately tried to get every piece of joy out of recess. No wonder the kids are all depressed. Here in Austria it is definitely not that bad, but parents and teachers become more scared about "safety" here, too. The strange thing is, that there is mostly no danger present at all. As dangerous I would define situations that have a high chance to lead to grave injury or death. For example a big agressive dog attacking my kid, or a kid that can not swim that falls into a river, etc. But a couple of pieces of wood lying on the floor are not dangerous. Kids climbing trees is not dangerous, it is them taking controled risks. Most adults are in such a bad shape, that this activity would probably be over their personal capability. They force kids into a physical state of elder, sedentary and often sick adults, it is a shame. Instead of growth, they force stagnation. It is actually abusive. Most of it is the result of risk aversion of adults, who are not willing to take the risk to let their children live and thrive, because they are afraid of the hurt if something goes wrong. I am grateful that my parents knew this. Especially my father gave us the chance to experience real challenges, for example when he took us to ski very steep and advanced skiing routes here in Tyrol. He told us not to fall on this track, because it was so steep that no one would be able to stop our fall. (There were some deaths at this route and big warning signs of only approaching as advanced skier before it. It is the "Karrinne / Hafelekar", a black skiing route at the Nordkette, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria (https://www.powderhounds.com/Europe/Austria/Nordkette.aspx)). He waited for good conditions and knew we were able to do it. He also trained us at similar conditions with lesser riks before. Then, he took us with him, when we were each six years old. It was a rite de passage, I still remember it vividly. I knew I could do it and I did. He did stuff like this with us all the time. He later told me, that he was actually a little scared himself to let us take these risks, but that he instictually knew that he needs to let us take risks. I think it gave me confidence to face adversities in life. Most of the time however, my sister and I were skiing without adults present (on easier terrain) and doing our own thing. This was in the early 90ies.
That list of rules from Maryland is absolutely absurd. At first I thought it must be a delayed April Fool's joke. But of course it's not; it's the logical next step in a world where physical safety is not only encouraged, it's obsessed over and "mandated."
What a perfect way to initiate the indoctrination into lifelong social control.
I wonder if the "No Rules School" in NZ is still able to maintain their free range playground policy?
One thing that would be helpful would be a concise message one might send to a school principal to push back on these kinds of rules. I can link to this post, but I can imagine a ready to go message that links to the most convincing research.
Why not just take out the children's batteries and put them back in their boxes so they're nice and quiet and clean? Less hassle all round than all this lively and essential creative play nonsense 🤪
Another example of government run amuck with unlimited power was after COVID, San Francisco business owners had to deal with 150 pages of requirements for their outdoor eating area. 150 pages for a wooden deck with outdoor tables. Some many people are employed in what is called " Bullshit jobs" which are mostly about creating roadblocks to justify their paychecks.
No, minor injury is a part of a child’s learning process. Safetyism does more long-term psychological harm to a child’s development than any skinned knee or broken bone ever could.
I live right down from an elementary school, all we hear when they're outside at recess is them screaming. Just running around screaming!! All of the new "improved" schools here are all glass with some bricks holding it together. Inside they look like institutions, all white Inside.
I am not surprised that its gotten this bad in a place like Maryland. Back in 1996, when I moved to Maryland as a 2nd grader, I was surprised that none of the elementary school play grounds had swings— they had all been outlawed and taken down as unsafe! Swinging was what I loved to do at recess, I was at a total loss. The teachers also seemed overly concerned about us running and skinning our knee on the blacktop, and I was incredulous— coming from New Mexico, where the entire playground was dirt because grass doesn’t grow in a desert, I was simply astounded at the attitude. No swings and no running except on the grass field? What was a kid to do? And this was back in 1996!
a thought--provoking start to the week , thanks! In the UK part of this sort of thing about wrap-around procedures would be due to fear of OFSTED, the monitoring agency - though arguably some of that is probably a pretext for doing what pope-let would anyway. Do you think it is a kind of spreading algorithmic approach in which everything is treated like the instruction manual for an online procedure? best wishes George
In 2005, some friends and I founded a public school progressive program. Of course, there were many bumps in the road! Recess rules were one of our first difficulties. We didn't have rules, just a general directive to help kids who were hurt or needed help resolving a dispute. Unfortunately, we shared a campus with a traditional school. Their kids came out after ours, but there was overlap. During one of my first stints on yard duty (as a volunteer parent), our kids were happily running around, climbing the structure every which way, etc. When the other kids came out, hired yard duty workers came with them. They started yelling at our kids, “No running! No tag on the blacktop! You must go DOWN the slide, not up!” Their tone made me upset, and I had to console some kids who were not used to being yelled at. We ended up having a meeting to review their very long list of rules, which we then had to enforce.
The purpose of these rules is to allow the rule following kids some recess time without being trampled by the rowdy kids ( that is the kindest word I will use but find it inadequate). Plenty of kids who plot to push down a 2 yr from the top of a slide; down the staircase; decide that the huddle is really a free for all and plot nefarious ( yes nefarious) schemes - this continues unfettered into elementary, middle school and high school even in catholic schools - adults need guidelines because sadly adults who supervise kids don’t have a clue on what to do. They need this to work through the monitoring. Peter - your idea of childhood is idyllic - one that does not countenance mental disease in kids and one that assumes some degree of parenting. The absence of such parenting is abysmally missing across socio economic lines. I can relate to your shock re these rules because I disabuse myself of those things regularly - kinda like a refresher and remind myself that we live in a “ different world”. You should inquire WHY a school needs this preposterous list - it is because adults don’t function like adults and some pithy stuff like “ boys will be boys” will creep in when they don’t know when, how or galling as it is, IF, they should intervene in certain circumstances. We live among idiots - they need a manual. I am glad it exists - my child survived because some of these guidelines existed. Public, private - exists everywhere. Which is why a college with Greek culture does not appeal to me - I suggest you watch a few kids in the playground as you write these articles. Actually watch - without turning because that is when you miss the first blow by kid no 1 but catch the second one by the victim and find the perp crying!!! They are cute through all that but not in high school.
Unstructured play is hard because the rules of civilized behavior have CHANGED! Not our childhood anymore. Most kids are chemically managed and some forget the medication. Adults overseeing these kids NEED these regulations. They cannot use discretion and prefer to stay out of trouble themselves at a paltry $ an hour. Some can’t get out their chairs once they sit and so don’t, unless they find something that falls within the parameters of the rules.
Will be great for kids to kick a ball around without structure - that makes sense. Without controls - does not. Damage is real and physical ones are irreversible!
The purpose of recess (or break time/play time) as I understand it, is for children to let off steam and do their own thing, having been subjected to periods of time in which they had to concentrate on subjects they may have no interest in/find difficult.
The more rules we apply, the more we denigrate free play as a worthwhile experience and it cannot fulfil its original function.
I work in an elementary school and find some of the recess rules absurd. Unfortunately, many parents are quick to anger if their child sustains an injury. Perfect protection is the expectation, and as Imelda commented, many parents are quick to consider legal options (at least, that is the fear that seems to drive the behavior of school administrators).
Such a contrast in approaches. I think in the US from what I observe and hear the insurance aspect dictates so much, as parents can be litigious. It's similar in Ireland in recent years, some schools have insurance policies for each individual child at a low cost which helps. In early years' settings some inspectors can be quite 'zealous' and settings need to have robust policies and risk management in place to counteract that. It is a joy to watch those children in New Zealand, great headmaster, congratulations!
I agree with what you’re saying Peter, but I think these rules tell a story!! They’re obviously trying to “ train” a variety of low paid, unskilled supervisors with no budget or time to do the job. By providing them with this level of detail they think they’re covering all the bases!
As usual with play (and all high level activities ) without highly skilled professionals who should be remunerated appropriately, input = output. That’s a whole different level.
The main concern here is that children don’t get hurt and there are no lawsuits!!
The playground rules stated above are straight out of hell - as if someone deliberately tried to get every piece of joy out of recess. No wonder the kids are all depressed. Here in Austria it is definitely not that bad, but parents and teachers become more scared about "safety" here, too. The strange thing is, that there is mostly no danger present at all. As dangerous I would define situations that have a high chance to lead to grave injury or death. For example a big agressive dog attacking my kid, or a kid that can not swim that falls into a river, etc. But a couple of pieces of wood lying on the floor are not dangerous. Kids climbing trees is not dangerous, it is them taking controled risks. Most adults are in such a bad shape, that this activity would probably be over their personal capability. They force kids into a physical state of elder, sedentary and often sick adults, it is a shame. Instead of growth, they force stagnation. It is actually abusive. Most of it is the result of risk aversion of adults, who are not willing to take the risk to let their children live and thrive, because they are afraid of the hurt if something goes wrong. I am grateful that my parents knew this. Especially my father gave us the chance to experience real challenges, for example when he took us to ski very steep and advanced skiing routes here in Tyrol. He told us not to fall on this track, because it was so steep that no one would be able to stop our fall. (There were some deaths at this route and big warning signs of only approaching as advanced skier before it. It is the "Karrinne / Hafelekar", a black skiing route at the Nordkette, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria (https://www.powderhounds.com/Europe/Austria/Nordkette.aspx)). He waited for good conditions and knew we were able to do it. He also trained us at similar conditions with lesser riks before. Then, he took us with him, when we were each six years old. It was a rite de passage, I still remember it vividly. I knew I could do it and I did. He did stuff like this with us all the time. He later told me, that he was actually a little scared himself to let us take these risks, but that he instictually knew that he needs to let us take risks. I think it gave me confidence to face adversities in life. Most of the time however, my sister and I were skiing without adults present (on easier terrain) and doing our own thing. This was in the early 90ies.
That list of rules from Maryland is absolutely absurd. At first I thought it must be a delayed April Fool's joke. But of course it's not; it's the logical next step in a world where physical safety is not only encouraged, it's obsessed over and "mandated."
What a perfect way to initiate the indoctrination into lifelong social control.
I wonder if the "No Rules School" in NZ is still able to maintain their free range playground policy?
One thing that would be helpful would be a concise message one might send to a school principal to push back on these kinds of rules. I can link to this post, but I can imagine a ready to go message that links to the most convincing research.
Why not just take out the children's batteries and put them back in their boxes so they're nice and quiet and clean? Less hassle all round than all this lively and essential creative play nonsense 🤪
Another example of government run amuck with unlimited power was after COVID, San Francisco business owners had to deal with 150 pages of requirements for their outdoor eating area. 150 pages for a wooden deck with outdoor tables. Some many people are employed in what is called " Bullshit jobs" which are mostly about creating roadblocks to justify their paychecks.
No, minor injury is a part of a child’s learning process. Safetyism does more long-term psychological harm to a child’s development than any skinned knee or broken bone ever could.
Back in the 70's
we used to play dodge-ball.
I live right down from an elementary school, all we hear when they're outside at recess is them screaming. Just running around screaming!! All of the new "improved" schools here are all glass with some bricks holding it together. Inside they look like institutions, all white Inside.
I am not surprised that its gotten this bad in a place like Maryland. Back in 1996, when I moved to Maryland as a 2nd grader, I was surprised that none of the elementary school play grounds had swings— they had all been outlawed and taken down as unsafe! Swinging was what I loved to do at recess, I was at a total loss. The teachers also seemed overly concerned about us running and skinning our knee on the blacktop, and I was incredulous— coming from New Mexico, where the entire playground was dirt because grass doesn’t grow in a desert, I was simply astounded at the attitude. No swings and no running except on the grass field? What was a kid to do? And this was back in 1996!
Hi Peter,
a thought--provoking start to the week , thanks! In the UK part of this sort of thing about wrap-around procedures would be due to fear of OFSTED, the monitoring agency - though arguably some of that is probably a pretext for doing what pope-let would anyway. Do you think it is a kind of spreading algorithmic approach in which everything is treated like the instruction manual for an online procedure? best wishes George
In 2005, some friends and I founded a public school progressive program. Of course, there were many bumps in the road! Recess rules were one of our first difficulties. We didn't have rules, just a general directive to help kids who were hurt or needed help resolving a dispute. Unfortunately, we shared a campus with a traditional school. Their kids came out after ours, but there was overlap. During one of my first stints on yard duty (as a volunteer parent), our kids were happily running around, climbing the structure every which way, etc. When the other kids came out, hired yard duty workers came with them. They started yelling at our kids, “No running! No tag on the blacktop! You must go DOWN the slide, not up!” Their tone made me upset, and I had to console some kids who were not used to being yelled at. We ended up having a meeting to review their very long list of rules, which we then had to enforce.
The purpose of these rules is to allow the rule following kids some recess time without being trampled by the rowdy kids ( that is the kindest word I will use but find it inadequate). Plenty of kids who plot to push down a 2 yr from the top of a slide; down the staircase; decide that the huddle is really a free for all and plot nefarious ( yes nefarious) schemes - this continues unfettered into elementary, middle school and high school even in catholic schools - adults need guidelines because sadly adults who supervise kids don’t have a clue on what to do. They need this to work through the monitoring. Peter - your idea of childhood is idyllic - one that does not countenance mental disease in kids and one that assumes some degree of parenting. The absence of such parenting is abysmally missing across socio economic lines. I can relate to your shock re these rules because I disabuse myself of those things regularly - kinda like a refresher and remind myself that we live in a “ different world”. You should inquire WHY a school needs this preposterous list - it is because adults don’t function like adults and some pithy stuff like “ boys will be boys” will creep in when they don’t know when, how or galling as it is, IF, they should intervene in certain circumstances. We live among idiots - they need a manual. I am glad it exists - my child survived because some of these guidelines existed. Public, private - exists everywhere. Which is why a college with Greek culture does not appeal to me - I suggest you watch a few kids in the playground as you write these articles. Actually watch - without turning because that is when you miss the first blow by kid no 1 but catch the second one by the victim and find the perp crying!!! They are cute through all that but not in high school.
Unstructured play is hard because the rules of civilized behavior have CHANGED! Not our childhood anymore. Most kids are chemically managed and some forget the medication. Adults overseeing these kids NEED these regulations. They cannot use discretion and prefer to stay out of trouble themselves at a paltry $ an hour. Some can’t get out their chairs once they sit and so don’t, unless they find something that falls within the parameters of the rules.
Will be great for kids to kick a ball around without structure - that makes sense. Without controls - does not. Damage is real and physical ones are irreversible!