Peaceful Playgrounds

Obesity Study Results: A little help from my friend

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Researchers in London were fooled by children taking part in a study to measure how much exercise they do. It seems that when step counts were unusually high they find out that clever children had increased their numbers by attaching their pedometers to their pet dogs.

The pilot study in Whitechapel required 11 and 12-year-olds to clip a pedometer to their waists, with researchers at the center collecting the readings by satellite.

"But after a week we found there were some kids who were extremely active but still obese," said Professor Maffulli.

When adjustments were made for the dog's activity the study indicated that boys in the borough walk or run 12,620 steps a day, below the recommended level of 15,000 steps.

It also found that girls take 10,150 steps, falling short of the recommended 12,000 steps.

Boston schools failing to provide physical education mandate

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Boston’s public schools have failed to provide any formal instruction in physical education to about 25 percent of the city’s students, despite a state law that requires physical education be taught to all students in all grades.

Boston’s failure to provide physical education to all its students has prompted the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to order a “corrective action plan’’ from the city. The plan, approved last month by the state, calls for Boston school officials to file a progress report in September showing steps the city is taking to remedy the problem, according to Heidi Guarino, chief of staff for the Massachusetts Department of Education.

More on school failing to provide mandated physical education.....

Balance- The Basis of all Movement

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:52:00 +0000

Balance is the foundation upon which all physical skills are built. Children experience balance first by controlling and “balancing” their head. The balance mechanism comes into play in a baby who tries to sit up without falling over.
Standing balance and walking with balance is evident by a proficient stride. Then there is balancing on one foot and also the ability to balance an object with a body part. Good balance practice comes into play when, oddly enough, a child is off balance and internal balance mechanisms are stimulated and the body works hard to regain its balance.

A wide base of support is helpful for good balance. Football players do this in their stance and babies learning to walk do this with their feet wide apart, sub-
consciously applying this principle.

So, even if high rope walking isn’t planned for your future for your child, balance abilities lay the foundation for graceful execution of daily skills.

Copyright 2001 Fundamental Movement "Parent's Page" Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc.

Pupils' work improves after a healthy lunch

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:54:00 +0000

New research from the UK suggests that improving students' lunch experience can improve their behavior and classroom concentration by almost 20% in the afternoon.

A School Food Trust (SFT) study found that improving food and dining facilities had a positive effect on pupils' behavior and meant they were better at working on their own. This study was conducted in secondary schools across England and included a control group.

The study said: "These findings have important implications for classroom teaching in secondary schools.

More on Pupils' work improves after healthy lunch....

Free Webinar Today - Recess Before Lunch- 5 Steps to Success

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:01:00 +0000

A few brave principals across the nation are bringing a long standing school tradition to an end. They are advocating Recess Before Lunch. Recent research shows the number of schools implementing Recess before Lunch is rapidly growing.

Kids eat more, waste less food, return to class calmer, behave better and as a result, instruction time is increased. Sounds great but implementing Recess Before Lunch can be tricky.

Attend this free webinar where we share 5 steps to prepare staff, students and parents for successful implementation.

Free Registration Link. July 8 at 11:00 PST.

100 Top Play Resources

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:26:00 +0000

Check out the Blog called, Kinetics by Dr. Carol Torgan, Ph.D.

The list of play resources includes organizations, resources, guidelines and reports, current news stories, books, audio and video, e-newsletters, blogs, twitter hashtags, programs, locations, and events.

Recommended Blog: Grass Stain Guru

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:52:00 +0000

If you are interested in play, check out the Grass Stain Guru Blog. A current post is entitled, Sign o’ the Times: Playborhood. Blog author, Bethe Almeras stated, " I am so proud to be a part of the play movement in America that is working hard to reverse this trend — to take childhood off the Endangered Species List and restore play to its rightful place." Another play advocate, Mike Lanza, has formed a group called Playborhood. Playborhood has created the fantastic sign that you see above and is selling them online. What a great way to show your support for play and to start a trend in your neighborhood.

Summer Safety Tips from American Academy of Pediatrics

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:30:00 +0000

PLAYGROUND SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/maytra.htm
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/playgrd.htm

* The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches. The protective surface should be installed at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.
* Equipment should be carefully maintained. Open “s” hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous.
* Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
* Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
* Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.
* Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children's legs from getting burned.
* Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines.
* Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.

Other topics include:
HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN
BUG SAFETY
POOL SAFETY
BICYCLE SAFETY
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
SKATEBOARD, SCOOTER, IN-LINE SKATING AND HEELYS SAFETY

Play: Where Old Becomes New Again

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:59:00 +0000

An article in USA Today points out that parents should, "look to their past in tough economic times for inspiration when looking for activities for their children," says Carol Torgan, a health scientist with the American College of Sports Medicine. She suggests the parents ask themselves: "What are some of my favorite memories of childhood?"

For video playing kids, toys of yesteryear like hula hoops, jump ropes and hopscotch may provide a whole new view of play.

Benefits of Outdoor Play
Besides being creative and inexpensive, many traditional childhood activities are great ways to strengthen kids' muscles, bones and heart, says Cheryl Richardson, the senior program manager of physical education for the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, a group of physical education and sports professionals.

In the Summer Kids Need Real Play.....

Mrs. Obama Champions Healthy Eating and Organic Gardens

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:47:00 +0000

Mrs. Obama harvested the first crop of fruits and vegetables from the The White House by establishing an organic garden on the South Lawn not long after moving to Washington.

Surrounded by participating elementary school children, Obama spoke about her pride in the project, and the immense value of the lessons learned. “We can continue to make the connection between what we eat and how we feel, and how healthy we are,” she said, before encouraging the children to continue to be her “little ambassadors” in their schools and communities.

More on Championing Health and Nutrition.

Other articles:
Schools Teaching Organic Gardening: “Do what I say and do”

Healthy Food, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Countdown to Good Health: 5-4-3-2-1 Go

Retiring Teacher Leaves Behind the Gift of Play

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:01:00 +0000

A retiring high school science teacher wanted to leave behind a gift for four elementary schools in the district. After much searching it was decided that the Peaceful Playgrounds Program "fit the bill" not only in cost but need as well. Superintendent Linda Hicks told the elementary principals to “dream big” and come up with something special.

And that they did! “We said what could we get that would be good for all four schools and it was Mr. (Brian) Galdes at Fisher who came across the Peaceful Playground, so we started pulling it together,” said Syndee Malek, principal at Vandenberg.

Peaceful Playgrounds provides schools with a kit for making blacktop school yards into productive play areas during recess. The kit contains stencils for game layouts; rules for dozens of games as traditional as four square and hopscotch and as new as world geography; all the balls, hoops, beanbags and other elements to play the games; and even a conflict resolution guide.

“The concept is for peaceful playgrounds,” said Malek. “If the kids are busy, they have things to do, they understand the games, they're playing by the rules, you're going to have less behavior problems on the playground. In three weeks with just the pieces we have painted, we've seen a lot of that decline.”

More on Gift of Play.

Revised from: HometownLife.com By Hugh Gallagher • OBSERVER STAFF WRITER • May 31, 2009

Grants take kids a hop, skip and jump from video games

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Health: Childhood games revived to encourage outdoor play

By Beth Gollob
Published: NEWS OK

For many adults, hopscotch and jump rope seem like games every child should know.

But with a computer or video game system in nearly every household, outdoor physical activity has become increasingly rare during the past decade, said Wendy Jones, executive director of the child wellness advocacy group Schools for Healthy Lifestyles.

"These are just things kids really don't play anymore,” she said.

Nearly 30 teachers from area elementary schools met Monday at Oklahoma City's Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary to help turn around that trend by revisiting conventional playground games and teaching students how to play without fighting.

Schools for Healthy Lifestyles awarded $2,000 grants to 10 schools to provide training, equipment and supplies to bring the Peaceful Playgrounds program to the schools in March. Funding is through a federal grant for physical education programs by the U.S. Department of Education, Jones said.

Oklahoma City elementary schools receiving the grant money are: Fillmore, Heronville, Horace Mann, Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr., Stand Watie, West Nichols Hills and Willow Brook. In Mid-Del Public Schools, Steed and Tinker elementary schools won grants.

Rock, Paper, Scissors
Created by Melinda Bossenmeyer, a former physical education teacher and school administrator from California, Peaceful Playgrounds is a nationwide play curriculum designed to get children moving during recess while avoiding injuries and preventing fights.

Standardized rules are set for the more than 100 games included with the program. Teachers will teach children to work out disputes over broken rules by playing decision-making games such as Rock, Paper, Scissors, Jones said.

"We have more than 500 kids and we'll have about 150 kids on the playground at a time, so this will give them more activities to do during recess,” said Felicia Dorsey, first-grade teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary.

Stencils will be used to paint permanent outlines for games like four-square and hopscotch when the equipment is delivered, Jones said.

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:55:00 +0000

The headline reads, Active Video Games may be as healthy for kids as active games? The controversy of video game benefits continues to fester.

Health advocates blame computers and video games on kids expanding waistline. But some researchers are pointing out that they may be helpful. The active video games like some of the wii sports and fitness games may be changing some thinking or at least requiring a second look. The September 2008 issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, reported that elementary school children who played video games for 35 minutes a day could burn around 150 calories, enough to prevent weight gain in an average-weight child.

Here's some links to other studies on the issue of video game:

Effects of video games. Preparing surgeons.

Study fings Wii games equals wee exercise.

What are video games good for? Possibly improving eyesight.

Lego Children's Fund Grant

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:00 +0000

The LEGO Children’s Fund will provide quarterly grants for programs, either in part or in total, with a special interest paid to collaborative efforts and in providing matching funds to leverage new dollars into the receiving organization. We will give priority consideration to programs that both meet our goals and are supported in volunteer time and effort by our employees.

The Foundation awards grants to qualified tax-exempt organizations (as determined under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code) including educational organizations as defined in USC 26 § 170 (C) with specific, identifiable needs primarily in these areas of support:

* Early childhood education and development
* Technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities
* Sport or athletic programs that concentrate on under-served youth

Grant Amounts:
There are no restrictions on grant amounts up to the quarterly allocation. Typical awards, however are between USD $500 and USD $5,000.

Application Procedures.

Coach Free Zone

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:27:00 +0000

The Positive Coaching Alliance, a non-profit organization from California is spreading the word that playing should be "fun". In fact, at a weekly gathering recently in Virginia "coaches put down their whistles, parents rested their vocal cords and children played not for points, not for victory -- but purely for fun," according to a Washington Post article entitled, "Its not whether your kid wins or loses."

The Positive Coaching Alliance is growing. They are providing coaching clinics for parents and coaches aimed at spreading the message that kids play for "fun" and parents and coaches mess things up by throwing up scoreboards and high expectations for "winning."

Moral Habits of the Heart: Teaching Social Responsibility

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:20:00 +0000

The May issue of Educational Leadership is devoted to articles on teaching social responsibility. One might question if it is schools' mission to teach the practice of putting individual interests aside to work together for the common good?

Charles Haynes calls skills associated with social responsibility "the moral habits of the heart". What are your thoughts? Is it schools' job to teach about social responsibility?

When guiding students to become responsible citizens are we infact teaching about social justice? It's an interesting question. Can we do one without the other?

Students today are more cognizant of world affairs than previous generations have been. Author Rahima Wade reminds us, "Technology has brought the injustices of the world to our students' doorsteps." Student's access to information, politics, and injustices are unavoidable. The Educational Leadership articles make the case for beginning to tackle these issues with students in a supportive and informative environment of open discussion.

Our job is to make sure they have the knowledge, the courage, and the habits of heart to take on the injustice and concerns they are confronted with on a daily basis in this new age of mega information and technology.

No Child Left Inside

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:21:00 +0000

How about this for a summer motto, "No child left inside"?

No Child Left Inside urges families in Connecticut to get out and get active in nature. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has started this initiative to revive interest in their state parks and other natural attractions. Parents and children are encouraged to get outside together and be active while enjoying nature.

Although this initiative is unique to Connecticut, the ideas behind it can easily be adopted to any part of the country. Look for parks, forests, and waterways in your area. Make it a family vacation or a family outing.

I'm off on vacation to Bass Lake in Northern California. We'll spend most of the time at Yosemite National Park. Three generations for hiking, fishing, biking, rafting and roller skating.

Eatricious ABC's

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:33:00 +0000

Cute video on eating healthy.

Related Blogs:
School Lunch Program Struggling to Meet Demand

Parent-Child Eating Behaviors Differ

Healthy Food, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

New Policy Guide for Health, Physical Education, Nutrition and Physical Activity

New Recess Before Lunch Study Released

Childhood play critical to normal development

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:14:00 +0000

A play-deprived childhood disrupts normal social, emotional and cognitive development in humans and animals. “Free play,” as scientists call it, is critical for becoming socially adept, coping with stress and building cognitive skills such as problem solving. Research into animal behavior confirms play’s benefits and establishes its evolutionary importance: ultimately, play may provide animals (including humans) with skills that will help them survive and reproduce.

That finding is based on three key concepts:
1) Childhood play is crucial for social, emotional and cognitive development.
2) Imaginative and rambunctious “free play,” as opposed to games or structured activities, is the most essential type.
3) Kids and animals that do not play when they are young may grow into anxious, socially maladjusted adults.

More on the Serious Need for Play.

Recent Peaceful Playgrounds Featured Articles on the topic of play.

Why Play?

Recess on the upswing.
Low Cost High Activity Playgrounds.

Joint Use Equals More Opportunities to Be Active

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Do you think school playgrounds should be open after hours for public use? Does your community need more practice space for youth sports teams? Would you like to take your child/grandchild to the local school playground instead of across town to a public park?

If you support this type of change check out the new website and information on Joint Use Agreements where community agencies and schools share their facilities. Newsletter sign up for Joint Use.

Here's one such example of a joint use agreement.
San Marcos: City, school district reach agreement on shared facilities

by Andrea Moss, North County Times
June 13, 2009

The city and the San Marcos Unified School District are making what was little more than a handshake deal official. The two agencies have been sharing their sports fields, gyms and other facilities with each other on an informal basis for years. In recent months, however, city and school officials sat down to work out a joint-use agreement that puts the sharing arrangement in writing.

How to Have a Peaceful Playground-Webinar questions

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:00:00 +0000

June 16, 2009
Webinar Questions for How to Have a Peaceful Playground.

Q: The Peaceful Playgrounds Implementation Guide recommends buying water-based striping paint at local hardware stores. Some companies no longer sell the bright colors (IE green and red) do you recommend another kind of paint
A: Yes, you can ask for a masonary paint to be mixed in any color you prefer.

Q: What is the lifespan of the masonary paint?
A: It depends on a number of factors. First the weather. If you live in an area where the playground has snow piled on it for 4 months of the year the game markings need to be repainted more frequently than if you live in Southern California where it never snows and rains infrequently. But generally, properly applied paint will last about 2-3 years or longer in most places.

Q: Do you recommend having separate primary and intermediate areas or combining the two blueprints into one master plan?
A: Most schools don’t have enough area to paint ALL of the markings from the designs. The answer is no you don’t NEED to separate the areas. Most people pick and choose markings from EACH design. They pick the number of markings depending on how much space they have and what age groups they want or need to represent.

Q: What is the best way to combine both?
A: One thing to note is that the blueprint designs have built in safety areas between game markings. Pay attention to the amount of space in between the games. Also you can recruit either a PE teacher to help you pick games, or a classroom teacher from each grade level and have them pick 1-2 designs they’d like to see added to the playground. That way you are also getting them involved which will allow for more “staff buy-in” to the program idea, as well as increase the likelihood that they will take their class outside for interactive learning.

"For the Good of the Group"

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:14:00 +0000

In both sports and life some people surface as "team players." They are the folks that sacrifice individual interests for the good of all members of a team or group.

In life these folks might be labeled, "consistent contributors." A new study identified those folks as people who consistently give even when others don't. It seems these folks play an important leadership role and their example influences others to give monetarily, as well as, personally.

A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, provides reassuring implications that even in a tight economy consistent contributors step forward.

The Power of Play at Work

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:26:00 +0000

Want more innovation, creativity, and general job satisfaction? According to a new book entitled, The Red Rubber Ball at Work: Elevate Your Game Through the Hidden Power of Play, what we learn in childhood—to be spontaneous, resourceful and full of imagination—offers us lifelong lessons for creativity and problem solving at work.

Why as adults do we lose our sense of play? Author Kevin Carroll suggests, " we dumb down the role of play, and we marginalize it and push it to the weekends. But the new generation growing up—the microwave generation—to them, play and work are one and the same. Their play comes with them in the form of a handheld device, and they can plug into play even in the middle of classes. They are going to challenge the standards of behavior."

Recreation Plus Education = Winning Formula for Movement

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:31:00 +0000

Students assist school counselor in adding 28 activity stations and games for recess through playground markings offered by Peaceful Playgrounds.

School lunch program struggling to meet demand

melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com (Melinda Bossenmeyer) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 07:01:00 +0000

U.S.A. Today reports that record numbers of children have applied for free and reduced lunches in America's schools. The increase in enrollment in free lunch programs jumped almost 17% in California, and several states — Arizona, New Jersey, Utah and Vermont — also saw more than 10% growth.

The federal government reimburses schools $2.57 for each free lunch served. But the average food and labor cost for each meal is about $2.92, according to the School Nutrition Association. With the tight economy schools across the nation are struggling to make up the difference.