News
Is This It for Tag?
Excerpt from Rhonda Clements interview, as printed in Education World.
10.08.2007
By Cara Bafile
Schools in Wyoming, Washington, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and elsewhere are making news by banning tag on their playgrounds, especially during recess. While these schools seek to make playgrounds safer for children, experts say that the teaching that goes on in physical education classes and playground supervision itself may play a greater role in allaying playground injuries. In light of the prevalence of childhood obesity, should schools limit the physical activity of kids during what is often their only "free time" for play at school? And when it comes to this classic game of chase, must it be all or nothing?
...
"I would argue that school administrators who have banned tag because of the potential injury to the child are very misdirected in their thinking," says Rhonda Clements, Ed.D. "We are reaching an epidemic of childhood obesity in the U.S., and we should not quash the child's natural desire to play vigorously with peers. For many children, the playground setting offers their only chance for daily physical activity."
Sitting quietly and chatting with a playmate under a tree is no substitute for activities that increase a child's level of cardiovascular fitness, suggests Clements, a professor of education at Manhattanville College. In ruling out tag, adults convey that they don't trust elementary students to get along and play safely with friends, she says, which stands in opposition to the belief that the real goal of education is to foster independent and creative thinkers.
"Tag offers children the opportunity to release stress, move in vigorous ways, and increase their level of physical fitness," Clements advises. "It is the oldest game on the planet, dating back to early man when the object was to pass on the evil It spirit. This childhood game allows children the opportunity to dart, dash, scatter, and evade opponents, which are necessary skills in many adult sports. Since the rules are simple, it also allows for less skilled children to freely participate."
Clements notes that in most variations of the game, players are only eliminated for a brief period that serves to re-energize them for their return. She points out that most popular children's games -- kickball, wiffleball, tag, and other chase and flee games -- have been in existence for many years and were played by earlier generations. They are often perfect for after-school play because they don't require expensive equipment.
"Children tend to dash in and out of games based on their own motivation and decision-making when left alone to play with peer groups," explained Clements. "A simple observation of children's play clearly shows that rules and roles are frequently changed, children move on to different games with different playmates, and play is interrupted numerous times as problems are solved through kid-like discussions. Adults tend to overly structure physical play activities, not children."
In fact, Clements believes that adults who exert too much control over a child's play are robbing the child of valuable opportunities to work through play episodes with friends and learn how to negotiate rules. Child-initiated play activities provide a sense of freedom and joy.
"All schools need to reconsider the importance of providing a space where students can release energy, yell loudly, and cheer on their best friends in whatever kid-like fashion suits their level of development," added Clements. "This play space should be filled with playground balls, jump ropes, Frisbees, and plastic equipment that sparks the child's desire to move and be active. The child needs to escape the confinements of the classroom and to be active during the school day in order to return and refocus on academics."