School Yard Games
 

Just before the schools broke up for the summer there was a report in the paper about Leicestershire Dinner Ladies being given instruction on teaching the kids to play School Yard Games.........like hopscotch, french elastic, five stones, what time is it Mr Wolf etc.
They were given little cards with game rules on...... this is apparently because playtime games are dying out.

Do your children play these games at school.......and do you think it is a good idea to encourage the playing of these games......?????

Re: School Yard Games
 

I still play 'em.

Re: School Yard Games
 

My granddaughter's school, round the corner from my house and the same school her mum went to, has 2 hopscotch grids painted on the tarmacked playground. She seems to play many of the same games I did as a child (she's 5) but maybe that's because the school encourages it and the kids have to play outside at breaks unless there's 4' of snow or a tornado.

One thing I've never got used to, even after 30 years here, is what the kids call what I knew as Tig. Here it's called Tick. Anyway, at least they still play it. :)

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i think its great to see kiddies playing these games, we had hours of harmless fun with them,used to mark the hopscotch out on the flags.(would that be regarded as graffiti these days)it would come as no surprise!

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Did you read in the paper today that some schools are banning rounders. They think it's too dangerous for kids to play these days.

Re: School Yard Games
 

Are you sure that's because of Health & Safety? Is it not because, as in any sport, there are winners and losers, and we can't have the latter, can we? (or should I say those who have their "success deferred")

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When I was at school......which, I know is a long time ago.......games used to have seasons.
Marbles, skipping ropes, whips and tops all had clearly defined seasons......I mean, I know that conkers were an autumn pursuit.......but all the others, well, no-one said when it was time to bring out the skipping ropes.....or the five stones or the whips and tops.....it just seemed to happen.

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Re: School Yard Games
 

Where would children find their competitive spirit?
As Bob Dylan observed in one of his songs 'there's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all'

If children are not exposed to failure, how will they cope with failure when they become adults?

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Re: School Yard Games
 

kiss catch ! the fittest birds at school where the ones who where pretty they had to run faster........lol

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Do kids still play hide and seek?

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The kids who live near me don't seem to play any organised games......they just seem to roam around throwing stones at the globes on street lamps and wielding sticks at one another. I really don't think they know how to play.

And yes Doug, you are right with that point.

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I don't suppose they will play with bows and arrows nowadays

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The arrows would'nt have suckers on the end if the kids played with them these days.lol

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The suckers are the ones that stop you plating rounders to stop you knowing the agony of defeat

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I think its a good idea that kids are taught these games, I loved playing these games in the school yard and hope that my daughter can enjoy them too.

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I think the sadness in all this is the stories of schools that are losing their outside play areas to redevelopments. The councils are so quick to sell of what are classed as prime redevelopment areas and then in the next breath they are whinging about obesity levels rising!! Is it any wonder!!!!!

Re: School Yard Games
 

did you put them there? we are all quick on answering but the end of the day if you dissagree later then its too late?

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Was that aimed at me staggers? If yes, did i put what where???? :confused:

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no harwood it is aimed at us all!we can all shout and call who we want too,but at the end of the day we put them there?

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It's crazy isn't it - you need to have losers so that you can have winners, I think you made the point somewhere else that this generation is going to be made up of people who aren't competitive. Where will all our politicians come from? Where will all our brilliant scientists come from? They'll all be thinking 'oh, we can't overachieve because it's going to make it look like someone else is underachieving'.

You have to teach kids at an early age to have an edge of competitiveness, it's good for them later in life. Of course, you've got to teach them that they can't always win but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be trying.

Plus, while some kids thrive on praise some kids thrive more on being told they can't do something - I know I did in some subjects. If I'm told that I'll fail at something then you can be damned sure that I'll try even harder.

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I have to agree with you there Gayle.....if anyone tells me that I CAN'T do something......because of lack of ability......it hardens my resolve. I suppose I could say it makes me stubborn.
I have always been competitive in everything I do.......If I can't be the best, then second best won't do. If I commit to something I will give 110%.