The Responsibility of Children in The Playground
School playgrounds are a place for children to learn about themselves and how to interact with each other. They need a set of rules taught to them and adequate punishments in place for not adhering to these rules.
Kids, these days seem to more boisterous, so games like Red Rover, tag and hanging upside down on the monkey bars are frowned upon, and even outlawed these days due to concerns about fights and injuries.
Let’s first look at some general rules that should be taught to kids.
- Don’t use the equipment when it is wet and slippery ,as this can cause injury
- Don’t be boisterous on playground equipment, or push people out the way, or off equipment.
If jumping of playground equipment is what a child wants to do, make sure there are no other children in way and land on your feet with your knees bents, so you don’t injure yourself. This is not so much of a concern if you have a good playground surface like rubber mulch installed. - Make sure the kids leave their rucksacks and bags in a designated place, like a cloakroom, so others do not trip up them.
- Look after the younger kids and don’t push them out of way, if anything help them and keep an eye out for them.
- Wear sunscreen, so that when you are out in the sun you don’t get burnt
- Make sure the children do not wear clothing with drawstrings while playing in the playground as these pose a strangulation risk.
Some Elementary schools have got the right idea and recognizes the importance of children learning the responsibility of children being able to organize themselves and police each others actions. However, at the same time you need to make sure playground equipment is well maintained and adequate adult supervision is there at all times.
In the U.S, many Elementary Schools are receiving federal grants to implement the Peaceful Playgrounds scheme, which is a scheme that is being put in place to reduce problems in the playground.
The concept behind the scheme is to section off parts of playground into different activities like tetherball and Frisbee golf and the children can choose what activity they’d like to partake in and wait their turn to do so. This separates the children into smaller and manageable groups.
This scheme also aims to teach children to settle their arguments on the playground, without adult’s stepping in, by walking away from an argument, talking about it, or settling it with a game of rock, paper or scissors – walk, talk or rock.
You can read more about the Peaceful Playgrounds Scheme by clicking here.
