The Value of Unstructured Play Time for Kids - Pacific Standard: The Science of Society

This article talks about the value of unstructured play.

To clarify, we at Peaceful Playgrounds believe that play time should be unstructured.  We believe that "enriching" the play environment and then allowing children to play without adult facilitation or intervention.



http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/product/catalog/peaceful-playgrounds-rece…

Greater Boston video debates the importance of recess and what other discipline measures work for teachers when students misbehave.

Here's some Peaceful Playgrounds solutions called, "60 Alternatives to Withholding Recess."

Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools administrators recently received backlash from parents for their plan to shorten recess to make up for instructional minutes lost due to snow days.

It seems that after reviewing a variety of plans to capture lost minutes from snow days they decided that cutting recess by 15 minutes and lengthening the school day by 5 minutes was the best solution for making up the 20 hour deficit they are now facing…

A well designed playground decreases bullying.

Ever wonder 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 feelings of safety.  The following suggestions will help you in considering some re-design questions.

1.  Can a supervisor see all children at all times on the playgro…

Claim your prize.  U.S. Playground Map Stencil Winners 
December 2013
 Brant Walker-Cypress Elementary-Newbury Park, CA.

Cindy Sauter-Amanda Elementary-Middleton, OH.

Kim Clawson-Forest Ridge Elementary- Laurel, MD.

Call us: 951-245-6970


Do you know about our new U.S. Map Stencil Games Book?  It's one of a kind and sure to keep kids active and learning.
Great for outdoor learning activities!

PHOTOS: “Peaceful Playground” at West Haven, Conn. School - New Haven Register Media Center

Ribbon Cutting for Peaceful Playgrounds at Savin Rock Community School in West Haven, CT.   Photographs by Peter Hvizdak / New Haven Register

(Peter Hvizdak — New Haven Register) Savin Rock Community School in West Haven, Conn. holds a ribbon-cutting for its "peaceful playground" Wednesday, November 20, 2013. The playground has designs and te…

Physical Activity in Schools - Webinar
Live Webinar Join us for a live webinar on October 9th at 9a.m. PST 
This physical activity programming in schools webinar is with Judy Lo Bianco, who is the Supervisor of Health, Physical Education and Nursing Services at the
South Orange-Maplewood Schools in New Jersey. She is also the 2013 Physical Education Administrator of the Year (NASPE).  
In addition to talking about physical activity programming,…

Mid Month Play Nice Newsletter released.  Information on New "Alternatives to Withholding Recess, Grant ideas, Physical Activity and the Brain Infographic.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs125/1101617897150/archive/1114929327548.html

Advocating for quality health and physical education programs for every child in America just got a whole lot easier!  The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), partnering with Soft Edge, is thrilled to offer new and enhanced advocacy tools to members and anyone committed to children’s health.

Take a look at AAHPERD’s new advocacy webpage - AAHPERD Take Action - view key issues AAHPERD is monitori…

Results of the 2012 SHPPS released. Information on PE, Health, Recess, Physical Activity, Standards, etc.

http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shpps/index.htm

A lawsuit against a public school district was filed in 2011 by a 7 year old student's mother.  Megan L. Chang-Ngaruiya, the attorney on the case, stated “This case was pursued by our clients to bring attention to the need for increased supervision of students." It is reported by Kvewtv.com website that McGee Elementary has settled for $150,000.

The lawsuit stated that playground supervision was inadequate for the following reasons:
…

The report: Educating the Student Body Taking Physical Education and Physical Activity to School reports on the importance of these three activities in a well rounded education.







http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2013/Educating-the-Student-Body-Taking-Physical-Activity-and-Physical-Education-to-School.aspx





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School Tools for Creating a Culture of Wellness












The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Success through Healthy School Environments.�…

In 1990 the state of Georgia introduced a statewide physical education requirement.

A recent study indicates that state laws mandating physical education minutes matters. "One study of kindergarteners to fifth graders across the U.S. found that physical education (PE) classes lowered body mass index (BMI) scores and reduced the probability of obesity among fifth graders. An additional hour of gym time lowered BMI for all children in th…

NATIONWIDE INSTANT RECESS®

On April 23, Instant Recess Founder, Dr. Antronette (Toni) Yancey died after a year long battle with lung cancer.  Toni was an avid supporter of recess and movement for children and adults alike.  She worked to bring Instant Recess into schools and places where people work.

Peaceful Playgrounds along with many other movement and physical activity advocates will participate in a GET UP AND MOVE! event tomorrow Tue, May…

You've heard of sit-in?   A few years back ( well, quite a few years back) they were as popular as "peaceful demonstrations".  Well some Chicago students and parents organized a "play in" earlier this week at Chicago Public Schools Headquarters.

Chicago parents are upset that CPS does not have a  mandatory recess period.  It is up to an individual school and teachers whether to offer recess.  Some parents think that is &q…

Retiring Kindergarten teacher Beverly Gavrel donates Peaceful Playgrounds Program to improve the place children play at Phillips Elementary school.



View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

I guess because its spring or maybe because the San Francisco Chronicle wrote a blog post about it but either way the dodgeball debate is raging again.  I always defer to The  National Association of Sport and Physical Education's (NASPE) position statement on dodgeball which provides guidance to physical education teachers and schools in general.  But first, what brought this topic to the surface?


The San Francisco Chronicle blog spoke about…

School Recess: Structured Games and Activities at Recessby Melinda Bossenmeyer, Ed.D. Structured recess.  Good idea or bad?
Today I received a phone call from a second grade teacher.  She indicated that she had a behavior challenged child (frequent discipline issues) and was growing pretty frustrated with him.  In response to Jeremy (not his real name), who was hitting kids, pushing kids, and causing chaos at recess, the school decided that they w…

This message is being forwarded by the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), NCCDPHP, CDC, on behalf of the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO). Visit the DASH Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth and the DNPAO Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/index.html.
Subject: CDC Overweight and Obesity (Nutrition and Physical Activity) Update: Team Up to Improve Physical Activity in Schools
Did you …

For more information on bullying go to: stopbullying.gov

Peaceful Playgrounds Information on Bullying Prevention

How teachers should respond to bullying.

Bullying Prevention: Is Empathy the Key?

Bullying & Harassment : What Schools Can Do

Bullying Prevention: Life Lessons on Good and Evil

Why Bullying Programs Succeed or Fail