Hi Folks! This story comes to us by way of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which loves when kids make up their own games rather than them simply playing something pre-programmed. At this particular school, the superintendent is quoted as saying a desire to keep kids “out of trouble” and “injury-free” prompted the decision to give kids Wii time as opposed to FREE time for recess, once or twice a week. As I watched the video, I despaired about three things.
1 – The fact that Wii is seen as the same thing as making up a game, even though there is no imagination or organization required.
2 – The fact that it is now DE RIGUEUR that we not show any children’s faces in a video. As if somehow that is damaging to them or us or someone somehow somewhere.
3 – The fact that the hopscotch game at this school is a pre-fab mat, placed on the ground.
I’m sure I am a little too sensitive to all these issues, but come on: Let kids run around! Let them use chalk. Let them make up their own games. Let them get away from the screen. And PLEASE quit worrying that every non-scripted moment outside = an injury waiting to spring. – L.
Filed under: Helicopter Effect on Kids, Parks, Playing and Playgrounds, School and Zero Tolerance and Bullies, Uncategorized, Worst-First Thinking | Tagged: free time, kids and video games, lawsuits school, let kids play, no fre time at school, no recess, obesity, principal, recess, school liability, screen time kids, superintendent rules, video games at school, wii instead of playing | 35 Comments »
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