Saturday, October 29, 2011

Reflections on schoolyard memories....!

I heard a disturbing discussion on the radio a few days ago, they were debating about whether in the future it might be better if school children didn't have the facilities to play outdoor games in their breaks, suggesting that swings and other playground equipment could be dangerous, and instead substitute board games and computer time.  The argument against was that we would then be raising a generation of 'cotton wool kids' missing out on important 'coping' skills, and while I have great memories of playing Ludo, Snakes and Ladders and other games on a cold and wet day, surely when the sun comes out skipping, hopscotch, ball games and simply 'running off' excess energy must still play a part in primary school memories. It makes me a little 'anxious' when I see rows and rows of computer games, as above, from simple children's games all the way up to 'shoot to kill and more', I find them way more scary than falling over and scraping my knee, THAT I can cope with....!! What say you? Have a fab weekend.....

29 comments:

  1. I don't know how it is in your part of the world, but American children spend so much time in doors on computers, etc. that we are raising a population of obese children. Playgrounds, and outdoor play, is good.

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  2. I sometimes wonder how we survived our childhood without helmets, with toys that have small pieces, and with all kinds of other "dangers"!

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  3. That is SCARY!! But I'm sure part of the concern comes from schools fed up with litigation threaats against accidents and injuries on school property. One reason for outdoor activity is to provide a break from indoor classroom learning, another is to develop social and physical skills. I'm not sure how computer games does that! While it's important to provide a safe play space, accidents will always happen that are no one's 'fault'! But we're moving towards finding a scapegoat for everything, so sooner or later someone will be sued for letting the kids play too many computer games at the expense of their eyesight and social skills ...

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  4. I agreee totally Grace - having been brought up in rural South Australia in a school with only 20 students I remember many minor accidents - broken arms (predominately) but we enjoyed wonderful happy fun filled hours spent outside the class-room and learnt the life and social skills that can never be learnt in front of a computer.

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  5. It might well be that computer games and video games have had much to do with the upcoming generation of obese ignoramuses!

    Get the kids outside where they can experience real life!

    I'd suggest that for the rest of us, too - me included! I spend way too much time in front of this damn machine! :-)

    Have a great weekend, Grace!

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  6. Like everything else, balance is the key. I have nothing against using computers for educational purposes but kids need to expend energy in physical activities. It's unfortunate that social skills and interaction with other human beings is taking back seat to isolation in front of a computer. Staying in shape by activities that use both brains and muscles is important.

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  7. We agree.

    May sacred play prevail!


    Aloha from Honolulu

    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } ( ° >

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  8. I totally agree Grace. Real experiences teach consequences. So many video games forget that part.

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  9. I agree with you too. There needs to be outdoor activities for kids, heck for that matter adults could use some play time from work too. I can see it now, all of us on swings, hey why not!

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  10. I so agree with you all. Hope you all have an 'energenic' W/E - get out there & have fun!!!

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  11. Our kids need more physical play and exercise NOT less!
    They already have too much "screen time."

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  12. Bump and scrapes are part of being a kid. Growing up insulated from reality is more dangerous than a skinned knee.

    On something unrelated - Perth was in the Tulsa TV news tonight for having a gold coin of a red kangaroo that weighs 2000 pounds. Cool.

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  13. our school just installed a very tall eagle's nest. May be the NEW Zealand kids are sporty.

    Will post my photos next week.

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  14. The stupidity of some 'childrens experts' knows no bounds! Kids naturally wish to run around and indeed need to otherwise they become fat!

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  15. Gracie, personnellement, je suis contre tous ces jeux qui n'apprennent rien. En plus, ce n'est que de la violence. Cela devrait être interdit car les jeunes copient ces jeux. La violence est partout dans le monde, et les jeux, comme les films, sont en partie responsables.

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  16. How much I agree with you!!Running, falling, shouting.. are parts of childhood!even with "risks"!I don't want a world where children don't know to be simply kids!

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  17. Hi

    I totally agree with you. Children have to learn how to play. Its necessary that there are more or less dangerous situations to learn to cope with it. In Switzerland we have kids who cant walk over a big fallen tree, they are afraid to fall and crawl on all four :) Fortunately there are also a lot of kids playing in outside..

    Have a nice weekend!
    Yvonne

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  18. The parents of the children should retaliate by taking the schools to court for not giving the children a proper, complete education. They might even win their case.

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  19. We are trying to take all risk out of life and raise fat, listless automatons. I wouldn't trade the chipped tooth and playground battle scars for anything. Kids learn something about being careful from the falls, bumps and near misses of youth.

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  20. Estupendas las fotos que nos has dejado.

    Saludos y un abrazo.

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  21. I fear a rant is coming... Children WILL fall, children WILL undertake what they shouldn't... I couldn't put it any better than Jack has... I hate computer games.

    There you go, you wanted my opinion, lol!!!!

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  22. That nanny state mentality has crept around the globe!
    Let the kids run and play. One problem with American kids is they don't get enough of exercise, the result being fat kids and an epidemic of diabetes.

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  23. Great perspective! Well done, Grace.

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  24. I absolutely agree with you. scratches heal much better than a mind too used at computer games...

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  25. I so agree with you. We've become way to safety conscience.

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  26. oh !

    Got me my first computer with 27 and a year later first mobile. My four year old son knows already how to use a DVD player; luckily (so far) he prefers to play with me with toys. Nevetheless, am wondering what he'll meet in school.
    An impressive mean to measure time and life. Please have a good Sunday.

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