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Elementary school bans tag on the playground
Categories: Kids 5-7, Development, Education
Ellie didn't have such a great day at school yesterday. Some kids laughed at her when she spilled water on herself, the cafeteria lunch offering was inedible and a boy got a little rough on the playground and 'sort of' punched her. The playground incident involved a game of freeze tag and I feel sure it was not intentional - it hurt her feelings more than anything. But we talked about it and she's over it.
If she went to school at Discovery Canyon Campus in Colorado Springs, she wouldn't have to deal with the hazards of playing tag on the playground. They've banned the game after some students complained of being chased against their will and feeling harassed. "It causes a lot of conflict on the playground," said Cindy Fesgen, the assistant principal at the school.
In fact, to avoid squabbles, the school has prohibited any game that involves chasing. I don't know that I agree with this banning of games that might lead to conflict. I always thought the purpose of recess was two-fold: to get kids out in the fresh air for exercise, and to allow them some unstructured time in the 'real world' of the playground. Part of the real world is dealing with conflict and working out your differences. I am sure it's not fun for the teachers to referee these squabbles, but isn't that just part of life?
If she went to school at Discovery Canyon Campus in Colorado Springs, she wouldn't have to deal with the hazards of playing tag on the playground. They've banned the game after some students complained of being chased against their will and feeling harassed. "It causes a lot of conflict on the playground," said Cindy Fesgen, the assistant principal at the school.
In fact, to avoid squabbles, the school has prohibited any game that involves chasing. I don't know that I agree with this banning of games that might lead to conflict. I always thought the purpose of recess was two-fold: to get kids out in the fresh air for exercise, and to allow them some unstructured time in the 'real world' of the playground. Part of the real world is dealing with conflict and working out your differences. I am sure it's not fun for the teachers to referee these squabbles, but isn't that just part of life?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Melissa 8-30-2007 @ 3:29PM
I'm with you on this one. Chasing is a great form of exercise. If kids don't want to be chased, they need to learn how to stand their ground and say so. If that doesn't work, then they can report it to the "authorities."
Learning how to work out these things at this age will save them a lot of strife when they're older, the bullies are bigger, and there's a lot more at stake.
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Diane 8-30-2007 @ 2:04PM
Banning Tag isn't anything new. At my children's school in Santa Clara, CA the children aren't allowed to play Tag. It got too rough, with many children being pushed and injured. The children are still allowed to run and chase, but there is a "hands-off" policy at the school. With that policy, I guess it can be assumed that children can get reprimanded for giving a friend a hug, which I think is going to extremes. So far, though, I think the rules at our school have been enforced with logic and reason, and hopefully that will continue.
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Camron 8-30-2007 @ 2:26PM
WOW! Yet another example of how our "leaders" feel as though obesity is a better alternative to kids not feeling left out or harassed. First, they take away gym class and then they talk about doing away with certain curriculum building activities that make children's inherently different skill levels more evident, and now tag. It is truly a shame that children are no longer allowed to be children and they cannot enjoy the niceties of being carefree.
No wonder society is changing and posing greater issues and challenges for children, we keep coddling kids and not letting them get their bumps and bruises, not get thier education in the school of life. I'm not saying let the kids loose and face dangers, but for crying out loud, let kids be kids - let them play, let them learn about social interactions and differences amongst each other - let our kids live life!
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Stephanie 8-30-2007 @ 4:40PM
What is so wrong with children squabbling a little? Too much is one thing, but arguing is going to happen, and children need to be able to face the reality that sometimes they aren't the best, the fastes, and sometimes people will disagree with them.
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LS 8-30-2007 @ 5:39PM
What I want to know is, where are the parents? Why did only one or two parents complain about this? Jeezopete, if they tried to ban tag at my son's school, I'd be the Harpy at the Mike, screaming at the Board Meeting about how stupid this is.
They can only take away that which you allow them to take...
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DaMoKi Bob 8-30-2007 @ 10:32PM
LS got it right. Apparently, most parents are too busy, ignorant, or dumb to grasp the concept of "kids". As kids, my brother almost killed me doing some double rope swing thing; my eye was swollen shut for a week; I learned from it.
My point: the road to being fully human should not involve padding against all the callous and character building activities kids enjoy. The problem is not parents forgetting about being kids, but forgetting about being parents. Remember, you don't need a license to be a parent, just a motel room.
Wait a minute! I just had an epiphanous flash: The school board is worried less about kids hurting other kids, and more about parents suing the school system for zillions. That's the ticket!
But, here we are back to the parents. Those who don’t help their kids cultivate civility and social skills, often use just that to their own benefit.
To expand on what LS said, “They can only take away that which you allow...”, and what you allow, you teach!
Regarding playing tag and other more important stuff; let us all concentrate on teaching the school board who works for whom. Why is this important? There are three reasons: 1) the total amount of money they control (you won’t believe it), 2) the power they have to make rules for your children (with almost no review), and 3) the arrogance they often reveal when challenged by you or I (we are only, after all, those who rent motel rooms).
Tag, you’re it!
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