#37. How Schools Ruin Recess

Hey, have fun kids, if you can figure out what you might be allowed to do.

Sutherland/Flickr CC

Dear friends,

In recent years I’ve heard quite a few complaints from parents about the absurd rules their kids must follow at recess in their elementary school. Not only have schools reduced recess to such a short period that it’s hard to get a game going, but some schools have produced sets of rules that make any real play nearly impossible. I’ve heard of schools that don’t permit tag. Tag, the universal and most enjoyable game for all juvenile mammals—the major route to fitness. Outlawed. I heard from one playground supervisor who says she’s supposed to prevent kids from pretending they are a video game character. What? Why?

Recently, I was sent a four-page single-spaced document that outlines the recess rules for a certain school district in Maryland. Some of the rules on the huge list are reasonable, but many seem to be designed to take the creativity, challenge, and joy out of play. The sheer size of the list—with 74 separate numbered or bulleted points about what kids can and cannot do and specifics of how playground supervisors must supervise—is an insult to all concerned. Common sense not allowed! I’ll insert here some selected portions of that document. Note especially the rules specifying how children can and cannot use the permanent playground equipment. And note the use of the word insubordination. The children (or at least some of them) are assumed to be little criminals.

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Selection from the four-page list of rules for playground supervisors

• Haphazard running, chasing, and tag games on the blacktop are not permitted.

• Baseball and football games are not permitted at any time.

• Children are not to … bounce objects on school walls; to wrestle on the ground; to climb trees; to hit one another even playfully; and to tease other students.

• It is the responsibility of the playground aide to maintain order, to encourage proper standards of safety and behavior, to correct students in a constructive manner when there is a violation of rules, and to caution children if it appears that emotions and excitement are mounting to a point where incorrect actions may soon result.

Rules for Safe Use of Permanent Equipment

1. Do not use when wet.

2. Students should form a single file line, awaiting turns to use all equipment.

3. Opposed thumb grip should be used on all climbing and swinging structures.

4. Students may not sit in rings but rather swing from one to the other until they have reached the end.

5. A student may not begin to swing on rings and bars until the student ahead of him/her has finished

6. Students may not sit on top of equipment (such as monkey bars, jungle gyms, rock walls, etc.).

• If students consistently violate the rules of the playground despite reminders (insubordination), refer them to the school administration office.

• In case of injury to one's pride, be sympathetic and understanding.

• In case of injury (e.g., splinter, cut, skinned limbs, bump on head), send the student to the office immediately in the company of a fellow student who is considered responsible. Each school should develop its own emergency procedures.

Procedure for Termination of Play Period

1. When the bell rings, students should line up on designated area space.

2. When a line is orderly, you may dismiss students to enter the building.

3. Students are to go in the building quietly at all times in an orderly manner in single file.

The playground aide should:

• Have a thorough knowledge of all rules obtained from the school's physical education teacher.

• Know what games may be played in each predetermined area.

• Know the school's discipline policy.

• Be constantly moving from area to area while keeping the total playground in view and do not get involved in games.

• Be alert to potential problem situations such as the following:

-Organized team games that result in arguments on rule interpretation

-Individual games, like 3 square and tetherball, which require taking turns

• Discourage dangerous situations such as the following:

-Tag on the blacktop or confined areas

-Team games such as basketball taking place in the individual play areas

-Students running through other games

-Chase games on or near climbing equipment

-Inadequate field conditions for the activity

-A student trying a task that is too difficult for his/her age or size

-Overcrowding of certain areas/equipment

-Games with materials (balls, ropes, hoops, etc.) near climbing equipment

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Further Thoughts

Do you see the problem? The purpose of play is for children to figure things out for themselves; to learn to negotiate rules with one another; to take control of their own behavior; to stretch their abilities by trying things that are difficult for them; to gain courage by taking risks. These rules demonstrate no trust at all of the children, nor even of the playground supervisors. Everyone is being managed top-down. When we treat people as irresponsible, they become irresponsible. The rules make it clear that students are never free, never trusted. They are micromanaged not only during class time, but even during recess! They are even told how they must grip the playground structures! I’m surprised they aren’t told explicitly how to walk.

For a completely different approach to recess, watch this short video—posted 9 years ago—about the “No Rules School” in New Zealand:

What do you think? I invite you to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. They will add to the value of this letter for everyone.

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In my next post I’ll describe our experience in bringing real play, with essentially no adult-imposed rules, into schools in the U.S.

With respect and best wishes,

Peter