Monday, October 5, 2015

"Free Play" at Recess is No Longer Supported

Two Edina elementary schools, worried about the politics of the playground, are taking an unusual step to police it: They have hired a recess consultant. 

Some parents have welcomed the arrival of the firm Playworks, which says recess can be more inclusive and beneficial to children if it’s more structured and if phrases like, “Hey, you’re out!” are replaced with “good job” or “nice try.” 

But some of the kids at Concord and Normandale Elementary say they are confused, or that the consultants are ruining their play time.

The kids feel that way because the "consultants" are ruining their play time.  What kids want a child psychologist constantly observing them at recess, correcting their language, and providing all of the rules.  Is childhood so potentially toxic that adults need to control every, single aspect of it?

When, exactly, did public education become a form of child abuse?