Playground Tip of the Month: Solutions to playground supervision issues

Have you ever wondered why some schools report few incidents of bullying and kids report that they feel safe at school while other students report just the opposite?

The design of the playground makes a big difference in both physical and emotional safety at recess. The following suggestions are some playground redesign questions that impact playground safety.

1. Can a supervisor see all children at all times on the playground? Unsupervised children can result in bullying opportunities. SOLUTION: Close off play areas or hire more playground supervisors.

2. Are there enough game choices at recess or do you see long lines of students waiting for their turn? SOLUTION: Paint more games and activities on the blacktop to eliminate lines and waiting.

3. Are students allowed to walk directly back to class from recess leaving them unsupervised on the walk to and from the playground? SOLUTION: Place line up marks on the playground and have teachers meet students out on the edge of the playground so that they walk back to class in an orderly and supervised manner.

National Playground Safety Week April 21-25

Spring is in the air, but unfortunately so are falls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission cites falls from equipment as a factor in 70% of the nation's playground injuries. Teaching children how to fall properly can greatly decrease the injury rate. According to Dr. Thompson, Executive Director of the National Program for Playground Safety, "the best person to teach the 'fall safely method' is the school physical education teacher."

Check out the free materials from the NPPS website including a checklist for schools and parents on keeping children safe on playgrounds. Working together with NPPS, we can make America's playground safe for all children.

Online Playground Supervisor Training Available NOW!

The Peaceful Playgrounds Online Playground Supervisor Training is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, parents and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground. This fast paced course delivered with video will serve as a professional development experience.

This course details playground surfacing, play structure safety, and playground supervision. The course highlights supervision responsibilities and "how to keep kids safe".

Participants passing the exam at the end of the course will receive a Playground Supervisor Training Certification.

Coming Soon Peaceful Playgrounds Online Workshop

Tired of playground hassles and headaches?

Would you like your playground to be peaceful? Sound impossible? It’s not. With a few proven strategies and procedures your playground can be a peaceful place for students and adults alike.

Topics covered include:

1) Teaching kids conflict resolution techniques, 2) solving problems on playgrounds, 3) game rules, 4) equipment distribution and monitoring, 5) staff role and responsibility for safe playgrounds, 6) design considerations, and 7) legal issues surrounding playgrounds.