School bans tag, chase games

[hammer]

Without reading the article, (but my wife is a PE major & teacher & went to the school & had the professor who in New England is credited with creating the list of games in the Hall of Shame)

The object is that most of these games don't positively involve all the kids, you get the small kids inside & you bean the living cr@P out of them. The slow kid is always it. If kids do it at recess it's one thing, they decide on their own & kids don't have to play.

When an adult makes it manadatory to participate & then does not monitor the game, thats not Physical Education, that's recess.

The article said that these games were being prohibited during recess because of the "hazards associated with chasing" and the chance that "inappropriate touching" would take place.

I actually agree with Mike P. in the case of PE classes -- they need to include activities that encourage all kids, regardless of athletic ability, to participate. This situation, however, sounds like one in which the school is being forced to prohibit these games during recess out of fear of lawsuits.

 

[JimG.]

Well, I was a big fan of launching stuff or blowing stuff up.

My favorite launching tool was the 3 man funnelator. Take a large funnel, cut 2 small holes into the funnel on each side on the diameter, and double up two 12 foot long pieces of surgical tubing through the holes. You'll get a 6 foot doubled up elastic cords on each side of the funnel.

One man on each side of the funnel holds the cords (make sure these 2 participants stand at least 12 feet apart) while the third man pulls back on the funnel until the cords are fully stretched. Now put a water ballon into the funnel. Release!

I believe our record launch was about 300 yards. Depended on the angle of launch.

 

[Paul]

I agree with Mike P and Hammer, to a degree

Yes, PE like any other class in school should be inclusive. All kids need to participate, and, for the most part, the playing field should be somewhat level. The purpose is to encourage kids to learn about the world through being active, not just passively reading about it etc... However, like any other class, PE serves as a barometer for kids to learn more about things they like, and don't like, what they're good at, and what they're not good at. It also is a good way to introduce competition, in a rational, supervised way. It teaches kids how to compete to win, and how to take a loss with grace and dignity. (something which is also being quickly eradicated) I was a short, skinny kid growing-up. And I got the shat kicked out of me in Gym class. I was okay at baseball, but sucked eggs at basketball, football, etc... But I used the experience to learn not to give-up, and to find sports/activities that I was better suited to. I joined the swim team, and placed in the New England championships. I won and placed in various Wrestling tournaments, I played tennis, I skied, I hiked, etc.... If the Banaholics were around when I was a kid, I likely never would have done any of those things. I would have been enabled to not have to compete, not have to "survive" and most importantly, would not have had to find a way into the top of the pecking order. Ironically, getting my ass handed to me everyday by the bigger, stronger kids only made me use my head even more to find a way to become one of the "popular" kids.
Pecking orders et al will never go away, they are a function of society. The only way that kids will grow-up and be able to compete (in the job market, global business etc) is if we (as a society) STOP CODDLING THEM. Kids that get picked-on need to learn how to best the bullies (and NOT in a Columbine way, either) and that is not going to happen if we shield them from all bad experiences. We as parents need to guide them, and give them advise, but not interfere. Let kids work things out with each other, and be there for them as often as humanly possible to help them learn. But we need to stop doing everything FOR them.


/rant off
//We really are witnessing the decline of Western Civilization
///Loves me some slashies!!!

 

[JimG.]

I agree with Mike P and Hammer, to a degree

Yes, PE like any other class in school should be inclusive. All kids need to participate, and, for the most part, the playing field should be somewhat level. The purpose is to encourage kids to learn about the world through being active, not just passively reading about it etc... However, like any other class, PE serves as a barometer for kids to learn more about things they like, and don't like, what they're good at, and what they're not good at. It also is a good way to introduce competition, in a rational, supervised way. It teaches kids how to compete to win, and how to take a loss with grace and dignity. (something which is also being quickly eradicated) I was a short, skinny kid growing-up. And I got the shat kicked out of me in Gym class. I was okay at baseball, but sucked eggs at basketball, football, etc... But I used the experience to learn not to give-up, and to find sports/activities that I was better suited to. I joined the swim team, and placed in the New England championships. I won and placed in various Wrestling tournaments, I played tennis, I skied, I hiked, etc.... If the Banaholics were around when I was a kid, I likely never would have done any of those things. I would have been enabled to not have to compete, not have to "survive" and most importantly, would not have had to find a way into the top of the pecking order. Ironically, getting my ass handed to me everyday by the bigger, stronger kids only made me use my head even more to find a way to become one of the "popular" kids.
Pecking orders et al will never go away, they are a function of society. The only way that kids will grow-up and be able to compete (in the job market, global business etc) is if we (as a society) STOP CODDLING THEM. Kids that get picked-on need to learn how to best the bullies (and NOT in a Columbine way, either) and that is not going to happen if we shield them from all bad experiences. We as parents need to guide them, and give them advise, but not interfere. Let kids work things out with each other, and be there for them as often as humanly possible to help them learn. But we need to stop doing everything FOR them.


/rant off
//We really are witnessing the decline of Western Civilization
///Loves me some slashies!!!

I thank you for this dose of sanity. EVERYONE gets their ass kicked at something at some point in life. You had better learn how to deal with it.

You know, the skinny geeks who got their butts kicked in PE are the ones who grew up and became technology billionaires. So who is laughing now?

Life is tough...kids had better get tough. That's the way I raise my kids. NO CODDLING HERE. Guess what? We have never had any bullying issues with any of my sons, either them giving it out or taking it.

 

[hammer]

Life is tough...kids had better get tough. That's the way I raise my kids. NO CODDLING HERE. Guess what? We have never had any bullying issues with any of my sons, either them giving it out or taking it.

I agree with this with one exception -- if there's a risk of significant personal injury or property damage then it's time for parents to intervene.

Case in point:

• Kid gets into argument with other kid
• Other kid threatens to come to house with paintball gun

I had this happen and yes, I did intervene...

The other important thing to do is always be there for your kids...don't coddle them, but don't be down on them if they are getting picked on either.

 

[Paul]

I agree with this with one exception -- if there's a risk of significant personal injury or property damage then it's time for parents to intervene.

Case in point:

• Kid gets into argument with other kid
• Other kid threatens to come to house with paintball gun

I had this happen and yes, I did intervene...

The other important thing to do is always be there for your kids...don't coddle them, but don't be down on them if they are getting picked on either.

Absolutely.

If the kids get into an argument that you are able to notice, then yes, monitor it, and when it escalates beyond what you think your kid can handle, then absolutely intervene. Not trying to sound like I just throw the kid to the wolves, but I do think we owe it to then to try to solve their own problems first.

Any kid threatens to come to the house, yeah, I'm getting involved. Now yer messin' wit' MY <stuff>:flame:

 

[Paul]

I thank you for this dose of sanity. EVERYONE gets their ass kicked at something at some point in life. You had better learn how to deal with it.

You know, the skinny geeks who got their butts kicked in PE are the ones who grew up and became technology billionaires. So who is laughing now?

Life is tough...kids had better get tough. That's the way I raise my kids. NO CODDLING HERE. Guess what? We have never had any bullying issues with any of my sons, either them giving it out or taking it.

Competition is VERY important. If Bill Gates didn't get stuffed in a locker, he wouldn't have had to drive to make Microsoft what it is today. It would've been just any other company.

I tells ya what, you don't see kids in Japan or China being spoon-fed, and hand-held. What happens when one of this generation's little darlings is trying to negotiate with an adamant Chinese government 30 years from now?
"Moooommmyyyyyyy.....Xing zau ming won't give me my hostages back!!!"

 

[ctenidae]

We're all doomed.

That is all.

 

[Paul]

We're all doomed.

That is all.

That's why I like watching "Rome" on HBO so much.

We're in a historical re-run, We've been syndicated!!! EVERYBODY PANIC!!!

 

[JimG.]

I agree with this with one exception -- if there's a risk of significant personal injury or property damage then it's time for parents to intervene.

Case in point:

• Kid gets into argument with other kid
• Other kid threatens to come to house with paintball gun

I had this happen and yes, I did intervene...

The other important thing to do is always be there for your kids...don't coddle them, but don't be down on them if they are getting picked on either.

To me this stuff goes without saying; this is being a parent. But that's me.

Totally agree.

 

[Mike P.]

From Law.com

Tag, you're out!
Officials at an elementary school south of Boston have banned kids from playing tag, touch football and any other unsupervised chase game during recess for fear they'll get hurt and hold the school liable.
Recess is "a time when accidents can happen," said Willett Elementary School Principal Gaylene Heppe, who approved the ban.
While there is no districtwide ban on contact sports during recess, local rules have been cropping up. Several school administrators around Attleboro, Mass., a city of about 45,000 residents, took aim at dodgeball a few years ago, saying it was exclusionary and dangerous.
Elementary schools in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Spokane, Wash., also recently banned tag during recess. A suburban Charleston, S.C., school outlawed all unsupervised contact sports.
"I think that it's unfortunate that kids' lives are micromanaged and there are social skills they'll never develop on their own," said Debbie Laferriere, who has two children at Willett, about 40 miles south of Boston. "Playing tag is just part of being a kid."
Another Willett parent, Celeste D'Elia, said her son feels safer because of the rule. "I've witnessed enough near collisions," she said.

So this is likely an insurance & lawsuit issue & too bad.

As far as raising a generation of Veal, which generation would that be?
I see a bunch of people in work in cubicles all day & go inside another building on run or climb on the cubicles fitness equal, a treadmill or stair climber. (pretend you are walking or climbing in a climate controlled atmosphere - Yes, I'm guilty of this too!)

Go to an airport & see everyone wheel their lugguge, it's too heavy (pack less!, pack smarter or get stronger!) While going away for a week or two may be okay I see people with their F&*^& briefcases & day packs on wheels! So it should be no surpise kids book bags are on wheels & we worry about them getting hit in the face with a ball.

Now I'm off to Volleyball to see if I can sixpack anyone in the face with the ball! (all adults)

 

[Paul]

So this is likely an insurance & lawsuit issue & too bad.

As far as raising a generation of Veal, which generation would that be?
I see a bunch of people in work in cubicles all day & go inside another building on run or climb on the cubicles fitness equal, a treadmill or stair climber. (pretend you are walking or climbing in a climate controlled atmosphere - Yes, I'm guilty of this too!)

Go to an airport & see everyone wheel their lugguge, it's too heavy (pack less!, pack smarter or get stronger!) While going away for a week or two may be okay I see people with their F&*^& briefcases & day packs on wheels! So it should be no surpise kids book bags are on wheels & we worry about them getting hit in the face with a ball.

Now I'm off to Volleyball to see if I can sixpack anyone in the face with the ball! (all adults)

And doesn't it always boil down to lawsuits? *sigh*

Maybe Doug should've said we're raising another generation of veal? I agree completely Mike, as I write this from my own littel veal pen....:sad: