This school year, my daughter’s school Saratoga Shores implemented a new policy called the “active playground”. Recess is no longer free time for the children to play, socialize, and interact. Children are required to sign up for specific guided activities. And as with most things that are done with out community input, it is a disaster. My children, along with many from the neighborhood feel jilted. Recess has become a time of being constantly policed and scrutinized rather than a time of play.
My 7 year old daughter went to the playground to say hello to a friend, then was not allowed to leave. She had to engage in the game being played in that area. My 6th grader wanted to just chat with friends, a normal thing to do for a young lady, but she felt policed by the yard supervisors. What happened to this country that kids can’t just be kids. Many kids also spend most of their time waiting inline rather than playing and enjoying school.
The reasoning for the active playground was to help avoid scrapes and falls that happen on playgrounds and to stop some MILD vandalism that may have happened in the bathroom. KIDS are KIDS. Make rules, ban dangerous behaviour, but to make the entire community of children suffer for this? This is – in my opinion – ridiculous.
Recess, the way we all remember it – is an important time. Kids learn to play, socialize, interact, and more. This active playground was implemented with no input from the PTA, parents, or students. If you believe that recess should be restored to what it was meant to be… please leave a comment below. I will print and present this petition to the school board and to the principal of the school.
By leaving a comment below, you acknowledge that you are AGAINST the active playground concept and wish to see it banned. Thank you for your support. If you would like to reach me, please feel free to email me direct at {anacabreradesign at gmail dot com}.
PLEASE let your voice be heard. Leave your name and email. (it will not be shared or sold). Please leave your thoughts and comments. And share this link with others who want to help save recess! https://craftification.com/2010/save-recess/
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
As someone who teaches children, I think depriving the children of free, unstructured time is only detrimental to all parties involved.
I think this concept is crazy! Let kids be kids!
My son’s school changed recess last year so that it would fall at the end of the day. Everyone complained…even the teachers! Isn’t the purpose of recess for kids to let off some steam, so that they can listen better and be more focused for class? Recess is back to normal, right around lunchtime so that kids can have that break in their day.
I say: Save Recess!
I think there is much more to consider here. Socialization is not a “class” that can be taught, it is a skill learned through experience. Many tend to forget, that these children are the next generation of leaders, inventors, scientific minds, and more. But they are not learning how to function in social situations – and will not succeed – with out these lessons. The play time and wiggle time are excellent side benefits (and in reality are a better preventative measure to child hood obesity than any lunch program could be) but should not be the main focus. Learning how to make friends, keep friends, and deal with those you don’t like or don’t like you are far more important – especially when compared to an organized game of Kickball – where all they learn is how to be lemmings – and not leaders.
Wow….I’m totally in favor of giving the kids a traditional recess. I am a former teacher and currently work as a teacher’s aid at an elementary school. Part of my responsibility as an aid is supervising my class while they are at recess. The majority of time spent inside the school is expected to be not only structured, but also quiet. The children need the unstructured recess time to unwind, do whatever they wish (within reason, of course) or just chat with their friends. With proper equipment, guidelines and supervision, playground injuries should not be a huge issue. Find other ways to deal with the bathroom issues, this seems excessive.