School Yard Games

Margaret Pilkington · 22-07-2005, 14:44

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......?????

Tealeaf · 22-07-2005, 15:05

I still play 'em.

West Ender · 22-07-2005, 15:08

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.

cashman · 22-07-2005, 16:17

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!

Gayle · 22-07-2005, 16:22

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.

Tealeaf · 22-07-2005, 16:27

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")

Margaret Pilkington · 22-07-2005, 16:59

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.

Doug · 22-07-2005, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle Knight

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.

Don’t you just get sick of these idiots?

Margaret Pilkington · 22-07-2005, 17:27

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?

Doug · 22-07-2005, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

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?

What worries me Margaret is that our children are the Policeman and Serviceman of tomorrow and I’m beginning to worry that they might not be competitive enough when they face situations of danger.

staggeringman · 22-07-2005, 17:34

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

janet · 22-07-2005, 17:36

Do kids still play hide and seek?

Margaret Pilkington · 22-07-2005, 17:39

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.

acertun · 22-07-2005, 18:35

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

janet · 22-07-2005, 18:42

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