New Way to Play Catching On

As reported in Child Magazine, September 2003, Peaceful
Playgrounds is the most implemented recess curriculum in the nation with
over 7000 schools.

See excerpts from the article below:
Last year, the Antelope Trails Elementary School, located in
Colorado Springs, adopted Peaceful Playgrounds. The program entails
painting the blacktop and fields with colorful grids and circles that can be
used for more than 100 games. The goal: to encourage kids to interact
more appropriately with one another during recess. With games like four
square and hopscotch, each with clear rules, kids are on the same
playing field so to speak, says Dr. Bossenmeyer. Perhaps the most
useful game, she says, is the old fashioned "rock, paper, scissors,”
which kids use to quash squabbles. “It’s awesome. It teachers the
student how to handle conflict resolution without resorting to
violence or mean behavior,” say Kim Peters, a graduate student who
implemented Peaceful Playgrounds at Antelope Trails last year.

Playground Tips: When is it too hot to play?

As we enter the summer season the heat presents a particular challenge for summer school and year round school locations. Principals and physical educators will face daily decisions regarding children’s heat health on the playground.

It should be noted that kids absorb more heat than adults while sweating less. The
result is a greater propensity for heat cramps, exhaustion or heat stroke.
So how hot is too hot for physical activity? The determination depends on a number
of factors like: how high is the humidity, how hot is it on the blacktop, what kind of
access do children have to water to hydrate, is there a shade area, benches to cool off
on, etc. The single most important factor to acknowledge is children seldom complain
when over heated and most children rarely self regulate.

Upon a return to the classroom, the symptoms of heat injuries often surface. Symptoms include:
• Heat Cramps- Early warning sign of heat exhaustion or stroke.
• Heat Exhaustion- Extreme sweating, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, nausea and
dizziness.
• Heat Stroke-Considered a medical emergency. Body Temp above 104 degrees,
confusion, deep breathing, stops sweating, and loss of consciousness.
Prevention Strategies include:
• Hydrate before and after physical activity.
• Avoid sweet or caffeinated drinks which dehydrate.
• Rest often at least each 20 minutes on hot days.
• Allow hats for outside use.
• Consider allowing water bottles in classrooms and playgrounds on hot days.
* Shorten Recess and outdoor exposure.

Peaceful Playgrounds Program Alive and Well

From the Cabrillo PTA Newsletter
Peaceful Playgrounds Still Going Strong After 5 Years.

Five years ago, unsafe playground equipment was
removed at Cabrillo, leaving students with little to do
at recess. Faded blacktop markings were hard to see,
students became restless, and problems were
commonplace. Recess was no fun anymore.
Unresolved playground conflicts soon spilled over
into the classrooms. "Wouldn't it be nice," thought
our entire staff, "to look out over our playground and
see children laughing and playing together, and
supervisors observing this phenomenon without
raising their voices or their blood pressures?" It
seemed almost more than we could imagine, until we
found help from the Peaceful Playgrounds Program.
A consistent set of school-wide games and rules
were developed and taught to the students.
Equipment and colorful blacktop markings were
made available to students to help them play these
games. Students were taught strategies to solve mostconflicts on their own.

The result...recess was fun again! Students were
spending more time playing games and having fun,
and less time arguing and getting into trouble.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Cabrillo's
entire staff, and our PTA's continued support, we can
proudly announce that Cabrillo's playground
continues to be a fun and safe place to play!
For more information about the Peaceful
Playgrounds Program, you can visit their Website at
http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com

LAUSD to open school playgrounds for community use

Perhaps following a NYC initiative, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution that would open school playgrounds to community use in the afternoons, on weekends, and during school vacations. The motion was introduced by Board President Mónica García and was co-sponsored by Board members Marlene Canter and Richard Vladovic, and builds on the District’s robust joint use construction program.

The Board action was coordinated with the Los Angeles City Council, which recently adopted a similar Council Motion. The City and the School District have pledged to work together—and with community groups and civic leaders—to raise additional resources, convert asphalt to green play spaces, and offer more out-of-school activities for students and their families.

A recent national survey found that, of the seven largest cities in the United States, Los Angeles ranks the lowest in park access. In fact, the study found that two-thirds of children 18 and under in Los Angeles do not live within walking distance of a public park.

Other playground blog topics:
A design that fights playground politics

Diet drinks for children?!

In researching childhood obesity I recently came across an article which described parents giving their overweight or obese children diet drinks such as slimfast or medifast meals...I was quite shocked and alarmed.

While limiting calorie consumption is on the right track, a more nutritious choice for the developing bodies of children is to focus on 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day...As well as following the FDA food guide pyramid.
If parents or schools need guidance on how to take the weight off in a healthy fashion, there is a great website: Eat Smart Play Hard

PE in our nations schools: Health community commentary

I ran across a nice piece entitled: PE in Our Nation’s Schools A case of "many children left behind" and a nice "FIT" for health care by Dr. Mike McGee on the Health Commentary website.

His position is that it is time to take on the issue of the lack of physical education in schools, which more and more advocates are characterizing as a public health issue. As more of a typical child's school day is given over to math or reading instruction, time for physical activity--recess or physical education -- has all but evaporated in many schools. A number of education and public health advocates are quite concerned about the public health implications of childhood obesity coupled with the erosion of physical/health education."

The article addresses the childhood obesity crisis, and cites data from the CDC and public policy reports on the issue. In conclusion the article looks at " The Fit Kids Act" legislation now before congress and concludes, "The Fit Kids Act sounds like a great "fit" for advancing this nation's preventive health.

Related Research Citations:
Learning First Alliance: Strengthening Public Schools for Every Child
Status of Overweight Kids in America.
Exercise and Childhood Obesity
2006 Shape of the nation report: Status of physical education in the USA
S.2173, The FIT Kids Act.

The Real Story Behind Obesity.

Obesity trend slowing??

A recent report is suggesting that after a 20 year growth in obesity statistics it is finally leveling off. The proportion of US children and adolescents who were unusually heavy for their height rose by about 20 per cent from 1999 to 2004, but didn't change between 2003 and 2006.
The most recent statistic is that 32% are overweight obese, compared to 29% in 1999.

Let's keep this trend at a halt by keeping kids active this summer!

Suggested activities are:

1) Riding bikes
2) Swimming
3) A youth league such as baseball, basketball, dance or gymnastics

* and make sure the kids stay hydrated!



These latest figures are from Cynthia Ogden and colleagues at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hyattsville, Maryland, who surveyed 8000 young people (Journal of the American Medical Association, vol 299, p 2401)

Foods that boost brain power

Recent studies indicate that what you eat effects how you do in school. A recently released study shows that homegrown foods have a positive impact on everything from test scores to attendance. Most recently, the “Children’s Lifestyle and School-Performance Study,” which appeared in the April issue of the Journal of School Health, found that children—regardless of their socioeconomic status—performed better in school if they increased their fruit and vegetable intake and decreased their caloric intake from fat.

Many schools are implementing on-site gardens, so children can learn about where food comes from and have a direct experience of connection to their health.

One of the smartest responses I've read in regards to the rising costs of integrating organic foods into the cafeterias and school sites is from Vanessa Ruddy a parent of a 14 year old and a 2nd grader. “Compromising with food is compromising on children’s health.” Vanessa helped integrate an organic school lunch program at Lincoln Elementary in Washington.

There is an excellent lengthy article on all the efforts being made by many schools across the country. Feel free to read it here.

Non-Competitive Play Leads To More Physical Activity In Children

A new study from Pediatrics June 08 found that non-competitive games resulted in more physically active children when compare to competitive games. It seems that most competitive games (included in the study) involved games of elimination which limited participation time. More students reported enjoying participating in games of elimination however.

"This study highlights the importance of quality over quantity in a physical activity sessions for children," Researcher Bruggeman said. "It is important to promote non-elimination games to increase physical activity participation, but also important to monitor levels of enjoyment to foster a healthy, fun environment in youth."

More on physical activity and games of elimination......

School lunch dilema

School districts across the nation are facing a difficult choice. Raise school lunch prices or offer fewer, less savory and less healthy options.

Given that schools are already taking a loss on each lunch served the outcome may be one of the first roll backs on the effort to stem the childhood obesity crisis.

While it costs about $3 to produce a school lunch, the U.S. Department of Agriculture pays districts $2.40 for meals eaten by children who are eligible for free lunches. For students who pay full price (unsubsidized), the average price nationwide for meals is $1.80.

School districts have touted the changes made to school meals, physical education programs and nutrition education since the 2004 federal Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act compelled them to implement wellness policies.

Florida district's Broward and Miami-Dade have cut artery-clogging trans fats from meals. Broward cut calories so much they were serving too few for the federal government's liking.

Broward's version of the policy reads, `the school cafeteria serves as learning laboratory to teach and practice good nutrition.''

The next test of our commitment in the childhood obesity battle will be to see how districts react to this dilema.

More on School lunch dilema.......

Other posts on school nutrition
Grants for school gardens
Produce for kids.org
Hawaii's food targets fit
Nutrition in Schools: Schooling on Nutrition

Childhood Obesity Gaining Attention While Leveling Off

Last week there were an abundance of articles and news coverage regarding the Journal of the American Medical Association (CDC data) study that found U.S. childhood obesity rates may be leveling off after surging for more than two decades. I found it difficult to get very excited about these new revelations. I will admit that "leveling off" is better than "gaining" (no pun intended) .

It reminds me of the visual of a boat floating down stream full of water and slowly sinking. True is may not be taking on anymore water but the requirement to maneuver around the next bend will predictably bring on a "sinking sensation" literally.

Sure. Holding steady is better than a dam breaking but let's not kid ourselves. In the study, "overall, nearly 32 percent of kids are considered overweight, roughly 16 percent were considered obese, and approximately 11 percent were considered extremely obese." It's nothing to write home about and will continue to make blogging headlines for some time.

What does healthy look like?

Tips for healthy kids:

1) Provide them with at least five servings of vegetables and fruit a day.
What does that look like? a small apple, half of a banana, a handful of baby carrots, one celery stalk cut up and a stalk of steamed broccoli.

2) No sugary drinks: offer water once an hour, and 100% juice (1 serving/day), and or low fat milk.

3) Encourage children to be active. Buy them consumable equipment like balls, hula hoops, beanbags etc. Children will choose to be active when they have equipment to play with.

4) Set an example, by eating and drinking healthy options as well as by staying physically fit yourself.

A design that fights playground politics

Published in the Daily Herald

5/31/08

by Eric Peterson

Pictures by Bill Zars Daily Herald staff photographer.

Teachers and staff at Lakeview Elementary in Hoffman Estates know recess is meant for exercise, not playground conflicts. But they'd searched fruitlessly for a way to encourage the former and discourage the latter among students.

Then a staff member whose own child attends school in St. Charles heard of a program in use there that she thought might just be of help at Lakeview.

The Peaceful Playgrounds program was designed about 12 years ago by Melinda Bossenmeyer, director of the College of Education at California State University.

A former physical education teacher and principal, she's become recognized as a playground design expert through six books and is a nationally certified playground inspector.

Her daughter and marketing director, Andrea Bossenmeyer, said the program is sold as a do-it-yourself kit for schools or parks to customize based on their amount of blacktop or green space.

The multicolored boxes and patterns on the playground lend themselves to the innovation of new games as well, Andrea Bossenmeyer said. And the incorporation of letters into the playground provides for games that help build reading skills.

At Lakeview, the PTA recently purchased the program with help from a $1,500 grant from the Schaumburg Township Elementary School Foundation, school social worker Mary Brodie said.

The program met several goals of the foundation's grant selection committee, said member Leslie Eskildsen, who's principal of Stevenson Elementary in Elk Grove Village.

"One of the things we're looking for is to impact as many kids as possible," she said. The playground's design "eliminates competition and fosters teamwork. We see that as important."

The playground games -- painted onto the blacktop by parent and staff volunteers -- were chosen based on an assessment of Lakeview's available space.

Unveiled just a couple of weeks ago, the playground already has been deemed a success by faculty and students alike, Brodie said.

"Now that it's out there, I don't see any kids just out there with no one to play with," sixth-grader Ivette Figuera said.

Classmate Brandee Spates said she was impressed by the attention paid to how students spend even their recess time.

And second-grader Angel Almanza said there's a clear difference in how much more cooperative the games on the playground have become.

Brodie said there's also a clear difference in how far fewer disciplinary measures have been required on the playground in recent weeks.

How to increase preschooler's physical activity

Relationships between the home environment and physical activity and dietary patterns of preschool children was reported in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Journal last month.

They found that 3 factors influenced the amount of children's physical activity at home. 1. parental physical activity, 2. size of backyard, and 3. amount of outdoor play equipment.

Preschoolers in Family Care Homes Need More Physical Activity
In a related study according to research released Friday at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), privately owned and operated family child care homes, as the second largest child care provider, may need to assess the opportunities and programs for preschoolers to be active based on these results.

When the children were not napping, most of their activities were sedentary. On average, 264 of their 330 daily minutes (excluding nap time) were inactive. Light physical activity was achieved just a portion of their day, at around 36.5 minutes, with moderate activities at only about 14 minutes. Vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous activities combined were just approximately 18 minutes.

As a result of the findings, author Stewart Trost, Ph.D. stated, "Getting programs in place to help private care providers and building awareness about boosting these kids' activity is important, and can be an early intervention in getting them active for later stages in their growth and development."

More on preschool physical activity study....

Other posts on preschool physical activity

Barriers to Physical Activity in Child Care Centers Identified

Creating a better playground

Tired of playground hassles and headaches?

The slide show addresses Peaceful Playgrounds research on what goes wrong on the typical school playgrounds and what schools can do.