No running in the playground

[NaughtyNigel]

Is it only me or does anyone else think this is rediculous?
The children can skip and play certain ball games (football/basketball) on certain days.
I feel the whole school day is so structured a bit of running around and screaming like banshees to let off steam would be a good thing at playtime.

Everyone will be permanently doomed to a childhood of s-s-s-ss- (God I can't even bring myself to type the phrase) soft play.
Aargh!!

Our school has a special bit of the playground 'coned off' for running games, the rest is for quieter games. Stops the children who love running and races from barging into those playing less physical games or just standing chatting.

It really is NOT typical of schools. Pointlesly annoying dashing goes on in every single playground here. Skipping - with ropes - is madly encouraged.

mine would refuse to go to school if they banned running in the playground - playtime is the highlight of the day as far as they are concerned - and appears to involve constant running around chasing each other.

DD's school has a separate playground for reception...I think that is a good idea

I visit a school where the staff are permanently on look-out at playtime armend with walkie-talkies and first aid kids.

This is rural North Wales ffs, not Toxteth.

Yeah Motherinferior - i have always wondered why they keep the kids inside when it is raining.

I never remembered that from when i was at my school.

Perhaps the rain is far more dangerous now than it ever was.

Out of all the different groups of animals on this planet, i would say that human children are the least bothered about the rain to be honest.

Mine would go out the door in a vest if i didn't stop them at the door and insist on a rainproof coat.

Schools probably think they will be sued if someone slips over on a wet playground.

We try to let them out whenever possible for all the reasons mentioned. Although you'd be surprised at how many children don't bring a coat or any sort of outdoor wear even in winter

If running has been banned it is probably because there have been incidents. Children running into younger children on purpose and injuries resulting. Parents complaining. The answer is zoning really. Either zoned for activities or zoned by age.

Anyway I'm sure the teachers will realise that all that non-released energy is having a detrimental effect in the classroom and it will return to normal soon!!

We have playground equipment at our junior school. Lovely, best safety stuff, all appropriately set up over a soft surface. Far safer than anything I've ever seen in a park.

Only problem is, kids aren't allowed to use it. It must only be used under teacher supervision, according to a strict schedule, so that only the children from the right class are on it at any one time.

At coming home time of course local parents turn up with younger children, and the poor caretaker gets to spend all his time shooing kids off it.

My ds is told off for talking at lunch time . Discipline gone mad!

Avenap - have a look at my thread about zero tolerance.

Perhaps this is a nationwide initiative.

Really was your DS told off for talking at lunchtime?

Was he in the queue or out in the playground?

Cory - would you want 200 children on equipment at the same time?? 11 year olds pushing and trampling 4 years olds off? The rules aren't designed to annoy anyone they're there for safety reasons honestly!

Yes, even his teacher admitted it was over the top (it was another teacher that told him off, he seriously expected ds and others not to talk whilst eating their lunch). He also got kicked off the choir by the same teacher for laughing at another kid. I'll have a look at your thread. I have one saying I'm so happy ds is leaving the workhouse . He's moving to a new school in September, they are allowed to talk at lunchtime . He had a taster day last week, I asked him if he had got into trouble, he said he had, he was told not to run. It's a sad, sad world when an 8 year old considers this as getting into trouble.

But if they cant run in a playground where can they run!! I thought that was the idea of a playground was for the children to expell some energy before more lessons..otherwise they get fidgety and uncooperative..what a silly rule..i mean in my day running around a playground playing tig, kiss chase, or just having a race was normal. They bang on about exercise, healthy eating but then they wont allow children to exercise there own way. I'm sorry but to me it's probably about the school being scared of any claims coming there way, and it's the children that are suffering..i'm all for no running inside..(apart from pe) because there just isnt the room..but outside the children should be able to play the games we used to when we were kids without being in trouble for it..i would be taking it up with the headteacher.

Kids need to run around to burn off all that energy. It makes them concentrate better (so I have been told). Exercise is good for them aswell.

I can't find it citylover.

Absolute madness.

Thank God our head is so anti all this stuff. And I pray he stays at the school for at least another 4 years .

It was the only school in the area last year that not only allowed the kids out to play in the snow, but extended their break to make the most of it. I love love love him.

I have had to talk to school several times as my 5yo keeps coming home with lunch still in his box, i ask him why havent you eaten your yogurt, and apple..he replies..didnt have time teacher told me to hurry up..hes always been a slow eater but i dont expect them to rush him so he doesnt eat his food! I've have told him now that he is to stay at table until he has finished everything! There are quite a few silly rules i have come across with schools, most of my children bar 1 will drink plain old water and the children are allowed to take water bottles to school..but not allowed juice in it. If you send juice the school tip it away. My point is that in the heat at summer, the children that dont drink water, will have to go without because of this rule, they need fluid of some kind and will lose all concentration if dehydrated and its not good for them and when i send juice its very diluted just to give it slight taste..i dont see the problem!

Have you trie chopping up some fruit and putting it in the water? Looks like water, tastes of oranges. They'll never know . I don't understand why they can't let them be children. Why shouldn't they run around and chatter? God, no wonder our kids are the most unhappy in Europe. It makes me so angry!

I could see the problem if sending them to school with sweets and fizzy pop but i'd never do that..and i do think a lot of our rights as parents being taken over by school and that shouldnt be..i'm all for healthy eating but not all children will eat and drink same things. I know i have 4 and all have certain things that they wont touch..all brought up the same with same diet!

Thankyou avenanap i will try that!! My feelings exactly..i think that children grow up far too quickly and we should be allowing them to be children for as long as possible and enjoy their childhood..yes they need some rules but not silly ones! We are in danger of going back to the children should be seen and not heard age, if we are not careful.

I agree. I don't even get a say in how my ds' school tells him off. They are inconsistent and tell him off for things then let others off for doing the same. I have no input, I try to tell them what works best for my child but I am ignored. I don't see how they know what is best for my child given I'm his mother, have worked with children for years and am educated in child psychology.

I used to put orange pieces in a water bottle, leave in the fridge over night and then take them out. Very tasty, not as bad for the teeth as fizzy pop (I think). It's tempting to open a school free from all of theis crap. Let them be children and let the parents have a say in what happens to their children.

Here here!!I'm not a push over though same as you avenanap, was eldest of 7 kids in my family so lots of experience with children, also studied childcare at college and i have worked in nurseries..and as you say we know our kids best! But you can bet your bottom dollar if i think that the school is wrong or has crossed the line, then i will go and have words..they are only teachers after all and they will not be telling me off. I am in control, overall i am happy with the school, kids doing very well i only have few things that bother me. Like when they send letters home about a trip for followng week and they want the money the nxt day or day after! I am on tight budget and i dont always have cash available to me! A little more notice would be good..i remember when i was at school you would get at least 2 weeks notice before the money was due!

I am a teacher, and actually had a parent say to me this year that she wanted me to ban her sin from running. He is six! She replied 'He's not allowed to run at home, so he shouldn't be allowed here. I'm sick of getting bumped head letters.'!
I told her that I could not, and would not, stop a six year old boy from running around. They need to!

'son', of course