Help for a child who doesn't want to play running games

[tenderbuttons]

DD is borderline dyspraxic (good fine motor, gross motor pretty poor) and hates running games because she's always caught/last/can't keep up. I don't blame her frankly.

Of her small Y4 class, most play running games at break, while the small gang of those who don't is dominated by a child who keeps excluding her. This is a problem that school are dealing with, but I was wondering if you have any good ideas for making playtimes work better for her in the meantime? School are generally very receptive to ideas from outside, but I can't think of any.

Oh, and the mean child is daughter of one of the other teachers, which doesn't help.

At our school there are friendship benches (you sit on them if you want someone to play with, play leaders who organise sports/games that anyone can join in with (maybe not ideal if you are dyspraxic but its done very much on fun rather than competitivly) and a number of indoor options for Y3 and above (reading/board games/ICT). There are also a variety of lunchtime clubs.

I've done what seems like a million playground duties in my life, and have never seen a playground where more than a tiny minority - if any - are literally running the whole time. Why not just suggest she plays with one of the vast majority of dc who won't be running ?

Differentschools have different equipment / facilities / rules on things like skipping ropes or balls or a net to throw things into, or chalks or even outdoor toys (although these tend to be more in Infant schools) - what have they got of that ilk ? Or what might she be allowed to bring in ?

Again, different schools have different rules on collectables / current fads from MAtch Attack Cards to Pokeman to Tamogotchi to Loom bands or marbles or conkers - check it out with the individual schools.

Is she allowed to take a toy in? Collectable stuff is good - moshis or whatever replaced them.

i'm impressed they are still doing running games in Y4. DD went straight from pretend play to "hanging out" in Y3. They are also allowed in the library at breaks which is a good sanctuary.

DD3 - also year 4 - is like this - she's always the first one they go after in a chasing game because she's easy to get, which is why she doesn't like playing them. Ball games are also popular, not that DD3 is any better at those, but might that be something for yours? My DD often takes refuge in playtime by playing with a few year 3 kids, which is not ideal, but seems to work for her. Or she seems to hang out by herself, drifting round the playground in some pretend game. Sorry, that's not at all helpful but I do sympathise

Thanks everyone. Chalks I think would be very good. They do have drawing stuff, but it's up to DD to get it out, and often this feels like too much hassle I think (it's way upstairs).

Seamstress - there are several cross country runners/athletics types in the (small class) which may be why. And is also why she really doesn't like the games...

Auntie Ursula - good to know she's not the only one, what a shame they aren't in the same playground. DD would love to play imaginative games all day every day.

DD was like that and I do sympathise, she would have much preferred imaginary play to running but it just didn't happen. Unfortunately, though, in hindsight, I think it's an important part of school life and life in general to realise the majority may want to do something you don't enjoy and then decide whether to join and try to have fun even though it's not your forte or go it alone. Dd learned to compromise a bit and now quite enjoys running games, even though she's not and will never be any good. Sorry if that sounds tough, it's meant to say they do come through these phases and learn from them.

"Oh, and the mean child is daughter of one of the other teachers, which doesn't help."

Why?

Haykylut, it's because - even though I believe utterly that the school have been and will be even-handed about this - the situation makes DD reluctant to report any of the behaviour.

Margaret, yes I do see that, and have suggested to DD that she tries the games, even if just for a bit. Not sure she will though, she would probably be caught by a child 3 years younger and this does tend to make her pretty miserable.

I totally understand OP, I've been in your shoes, I'm just saying down the line you realise that these experiences do ultimately probably make your child stronger. She will come through this somehow. I know it's really tough when it's happening for them and you!

Won't help but it is one of the downsides of small schools sadly