Do schools overprotect our children? "tag" eliminated.

[Papa Deuce]

I just read an article where schools all over the country are eliminating the game of tag on the school play yard. Yes, they site injury in many cases as the reason, but what really bothers me is the OTHER reasons I see stated.

They are concerned that there is a stigma attcahed to some children who are always being "tagged". And they are concerned that some kids might be being bullied into playing even if they don't want to play. The latter seems like a fairly easy fix.

C'mon. We all played tag and lived.

Sheesh!

Oh, and you can "play football".... but you can't run?

 

[nwdisgal]

I am sure it all goes back to some liability issue, but IMO they are going way over board. Kids need those running type activities to blow off some steam during recess.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

A lot of schools have eliminated dodgeball, too.

 

[charabby]

A lot of schools have eliminated dodgeball, too.

I'm all for the elimination of dodgeball in gym. As a totally clumsy, unathletic person, I didn't enjoy it and for the life of me I cannot figure out what athletic benefit to the game there is.

At my school, the same thing happened time and time again. One team would end up with a bunch of jocks left and the other team would end up with a bunch of dorks like me left. Then, for the gym teacher's and the jocks' amusuement, I guess, we nonathletic types would get beaned with balls thrown at top speed that it was particularly hopeless we'd be able to avoid.

Yep, learned a lot there and everyone got so much exercise! NOT!

Tag, I see the benefit (even though I was "IT" forever and a day), b/c people are running around. I just can't imagine there aren't other gym activities to replace the very minute amount of exercise people get from your average dodgeball game.

That being said, if a bunch of kids want to play dodgeball and/or tag during recess, I see nothing wrong with it. It's the forced dodgeball playing I don't like.

 

[Stacerita]

Tag is a part of growing it. We all played it. Tag is what used to separate those with cooties from those without cooties.

 

[Charade]

A lot of schools have eliminated dodgeball, too.

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

 

[Aidensmom]

So you were only supposed to "tag" the kids you were bullying? Wow, I spent a lot of years playing all wrong.

 

[yeartolate]

The schools aren't trying to overprotect the kids.

They are protecting their pocketbooks. Can't say I blame them - Junior breaks an arm at school in the yard at school and all of a sudden lawyers are involved!

 

[Sandcass]

My kids are not allowed to RUN AT ALL at recess.

Even the recess supervisors think it's ridiculous and hate enforcing it.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I remember playing tag when I was a kid, of course I was "it" half the time. It was good exercise though. Sad to see they are cutting out that from school.

 

[NeverEnufWDW]

What a freaking joke. Will someone please kill all the lawyers already ?

 

[shortbun]

A lot of schools have eliminated dodgeball, too.

our school calls it "medic" and has changed the rules. One person from each side can tag you back in the game, no overhand throws and if you get hit in the head(even by accident) the person who threw the ball is out. Also, if you catch a ball, thereby putting the thrower temporarily out, you pass it to someone smaller or younger on your team. This way, it's a calmer and more gentle game encouraging all children to play and no bullying.

Eliminating tag is stupid!

 

[golfgal]

My kids are not allowed to RUN AT ALL at recess.

Even the recess supervisors think it's ridiculous and hate enforcing it.

Then why bother even having recess?????? What a DUMB policy. I bet those teachers are going nuts with the kids bouncing in their seats all day.

 

[chris1gill]

I think schools aren't over protecting the kids, they aren't doing enough TO protect them... what they're doing is trying to be politically correct... god forbid little johnny should feel bad... this is why our school system doesn't take the brighter kids out & put them in a classroom that can learn at their level. They didn't want the other children to feel bad...

BUT, they can't do anything about Big Johnny who goes around punching and terrorizing kids with his out of control anger.... can't do a thing about him... it's totally outrageous... what kind of generation are we raising? Someone ought to kick Johnny right in the back side!

 

[aprilgail2]

My kids are not allowed to RUN AT ALL at recess.

Even the recess supervisors think it's ridiculous and hate enforcing it.

Then exactly what is the point to having recess?? Why not just eat lunch and go back adn sit inthe classroom if they can't go out and run around?? Even when the weather is nasty the kid go in the gym and they can run in part of it and the other half they are blasting top 40 music and they can dance there.

 

[LBAK]

These schools that are eliminating tag, dodgeball, running at recess are probably the first schools that will complain that our kids are out of shape. It's getting ridiculous. Just let kids be kids!

 

[JoyG]

I'm a teacher (3rd grade). I personally don't let my kids play tag when I take them outside. It's not a "district policy" though.

I don't allow tag because someone always gets hurt. I get tired of filling out accident reports every day...you always have someone who tags too hard and ends up pushing the other kid over.

I don't allow tag because it turns into "teacher endorsed fighting" tags turn into slaps, pushes, etc... It's just easier to say "you are not allowed to put your hands on anyone at all." They can race all day long, they just can't touch.

I played tag as a child...funny, I don't remember playing it at school. But the groups I played tag with were much smaller than the size of a classroom and if a fight or arguement broke out, our parents handled it.

My class is much too aggressive to handle a game of tag, so it's best we avoid it.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

These schools that are eliminating tag, dodgeball, running at recess are probably the first schools that will complain that our kids are out of shape. It's getting ridiculous. Just let kids be kids!

ITA.

Maybe the kids could sit in a circle, pretend they're on the Dr. Phil show, and practice "sensitivity."

 

[Bayshore Bandit]

Maybe the parents should sign a waiver that they won't sue the district
if their kid gets hurt on the playground roughhousing around??

Having said that, my wife is a PE teacher, and her classes still play all
the grand old games..

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Having said that, my wife is a PE teacher, and her classes still play all
the grand old games..

Let the games begin!