Have you ever wondered why children are beginning to spend less and less time outside?

An article in the NY Times suggests its the what they call, "the flip flop factor." Outdoor play at day care centers is often stifled because a child arrives wearing flip-flops or without a coat or because teachers don’t feel like going outside.

A study by Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center held focus groups with staff member…

An article in the NY Times entitled:The 3 R’s? A Fourth Is Crucial, Too: Recess suggests that, "The best way to improve children’s performance in the classroom may be to take them out of it." This comes as no surprise to my blog readers but we can't hear it enough right?

The NY Times article cited the study published last month in the journal Pediatrics which looked at the links between recess and classroom behavior in children ag…

It's official. We've MOVED.

Please note. Our new address is Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc. 17975 Collier Ave. Unit 5, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. Our Toll free number remains the same 877-444-9888 and the email addresses of info@peacefulplaygrounds.com and melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com continues to go directly to me to re-route to the appropriate person. The added space affords us the opportunity to expand our line of products into the …

The Daily Record, a New Jersey newspaper reviewed the importance of recess and an upcoming vote in the legislature that would mandate school recess for its youth.

The sub-headline : "We don't need a study to grasp its value," further illustrates what most people are beginning to understand in the era of childhood obesity.

"Excuse us if we sound anti-intellectual and clueless about the need for a sociological examination. You s…

As promised today's blog will cover the questions and answers that were submitted during the Do You Have a Peaceful Playground? You Can. Here's How Webinar on Thursday.

1. Q. How do you prepare the black top for painting.
A. Wash down and sweep the blacktop prior to painting. A list of painting suppliers and instructions are available on the Peaceful Playgrounds Support Page of the Website.

2. Q. Is the Playground Supervisor Trai…

A study released in the January/February Issue of Child Development found that preschoolers were mostly inactive at play. The study conducted by researchers from the University of South Carolina looked at 30 minutes of indoor and outdoor play viewing approximately 300,000 episodes. Overall the researchers determined that during the course of a typical day, 89 percent of children's activities were sedentary, 8 percent were lightly active an…

Carol M. White Physical Education Program (closes 3/6). This program allows school districts and community-based organizations to initiate, expand, or enhance physical education programs, including after-school programs, for students in grades K-12. Recipients must implement programs that help students "make progress" toward meeting state standards.

It is estimated that approximately 95 awards will be selected for the 2009 competition.…

Unlike other School District 833 elementary schools, in Washington County, MN, Cottage Grove sends kids out to recess for 20 minutes before lunch.

Principal, Carl Aegler said it’s healthier for the child to exercise before lunch. “They take more time to eat and aren’t as concerned about hurrying to get outside,” he said.

Teacher Cathy O’Brien, who has taught at other schools where recess comes after lunch, said the Cottage Grove lunchroom is actua…

Are you receiving the Peaceful Playgrounds monthly grants newsletter? If not follow this link for the March Peaceful Playgrounds Grant Newletter. Topics include: Shade Structure Grants, Verizon Foundation Grants, Kaiser Community Health Initiatives Grants, Garth Brooks' Foundation- Teammates for Kids Grants,NIKE Bowerman Track Renovation Program, and Seed Grants- Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children, CLOCC.

Peaceful Playgrounds We…

HHS’ CDC’s Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) is now available.

If you are selecting or developing appropriate and effective health education curricula, enhancing your existing health education curriculum or improving the delivery of health education:

CDC's Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) is a resource The HECAT now includes guidance, appraisal tools, and resources needed to conduct a clear, complete, and consi…

Hurry! Only 3 days left to register your school for National Recess Week Mar. 2-6, 2009. Enter your school to win $10,000. Registration ends Feb. 15, 2009. A great way to pay for the Peaceful Playgrounds Program and add 100 new games and markings for your students.

The students are in for a big surprisePeaceful Playgrounds Program Video
Teaching and keeping kids safe during recess.
KSBI News - Channel 52 in Oklahoma City Reports - 180 sec

Wha…

The Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program provides parent groups with financial tools to help improve their children's schools. Grant awards of up to $5,000 support school improvement projects at public schools nationwide. Since 2006, through Toolbox for Education, the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation has donated nearly $10 million to more than 2,000 K-12 schools, benefitting over one million schoolchildren.

The Sprin…

A new study out of the University of South Carolina found that 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds in preschool are anything but physically active, even during playtime outdoors.

Given recent findings and data on childhood obesity, the results should unsettle parents and health professionals. An estimated 60% of the nation's 3- to 5-year-olds who are not in kindergarten are enrolled in center-based preschools, and previous studies show more than one-qua…

An interesting case involving a student and teacher is unfolding in the Broward County School District in Florida. A student rant aimed at her english teacher on Facebook lands her on suspension with the threat of a blemished school record.

"You can express an opinion on whether someone is a good teacher," said Pamela Brown, assistant director for the Broward County School District, who oversees expulsions. "But when you start inv…

A principal from the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district is being investigated after a parent filed a complaint. It seems a six year old student flushed a paper towel down the toilet in his classroom restroom after a bathroom break resulting in a clogged toilet.

Complaints from the parents of a kindergarten student that their son was forced to unclog a toilet with his bare hands resulted in proposed disciplinary action against an Eagan ele…

Peaceful Playgrounds has many resources to assist you with writing your PEP grant.

One of the best resources is our Writing a Successful PEP Grant Webinar. The next PEP webinar will be Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 10:00 AM PST - Free registration for this date!

Another resource can be found on the Peaceful Playgrounds Grants page of the website where we have a special section entitled: Everything you need to Succeed in applying for a 2009 PEP G…

Today I'm going to point you to one of my favorite educational magazines and websites called, Edutopia.org They cover all aspects of education but for my readers I'm bringing to your attention their content about health and fitness. Enjoy.

* Fighting for Fitness: Educational Institutions Step into the Ring
* Sage Advice: The Challenge of Childhood Obesity
* Fit for Life: A Coach's Pep Talk
* The New PE Curriculum: An In…

Did you receive the Peaceful Playgrounds Play Nice Newsletter for February? Topics include:

Research on Recess and Classroom Behavior

A research article Bystander Focus on Bullying Yields Results.

ASCD's Whole Child Petition.


The February Newsletter includes a discount coupon for the online Playground Supervisor Training Program and information on our February Webinars.

Micah Grimes, the coach of Covenant School of Dallas, was reportedly fired after refusing to apologize for a 100 - 0 victory of his girls’ basketball team over Dallas Academy last week. He insists that it is ridiculous to apologize “for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity.” However, it seems school officials disagreed. School officials were quoted as saying, "This clearly does not reflect a Christlike and …

Current educational practice and policy focus overwhelmingly on academic achievement, but this is only one element of student learning and development. A child is more than a grade on a test. Given what we now know about learning and development, we can do better and we can do more.

Sign the ASCD Whole Child petition to tell your state board of education that they must do more to educate the whole child. Because when we can do more, then we shoul…

The most frequent question we receive here at Peaceful Playgrounds regarding PEP Grants is:
1. Will the PEP grant pay for a new playground or a new facility?

The purpose of the PEP grant is not to provide new playgrounds or facilities. The PEP grant provides funding for the development and implementation of physical education programs. As a result, funds are provided for curriculum development, teacher training, student fitness assessments, data …