Promote Positive Playground Behavior
Promote Positive Playground Behavior
• This discussion will help children develop an understanding of the rules, provide opportunities to develop better choices, and essentially guide them through the problem solving process. How can children “Use Kind Words” to settle a dispute? • Help children understand words are a better choice than pushing or yelling to resolve a conflict. • Conflict resolution strategies can be helpful for children as they learn to interact with their peers. • Ask children to give some examples of how to use kind words on the playground. (Example: “That doesn’t feel good.” vs. “Leave me alone!”;
“Thanks for asking.” vs. “I don’t want to play!”; “Please let me pass.” vs. “Get out of my way!”) Discuss how good behavior will be rewarded and what consequences will occur for not following the rules. Once finalized, these rules should become part of your published playground rules. These rules should be distributed to everyone involved with the agency or school, and it is suggested that a copy be sent home to the parents and guardians of the children for further reinforcement in other settings. Posting them in the classroom and/or on the playground provides a consistent reminder and an easy way for supervisors to review and discuss the rules. Depending on the age and development of the children, you may consider adding a simple picture to each rule to provide a visual reminder.
Examples of Positive Early Childhood Rules: • Play Safe • Use Kind Words • Make Friends
• Take Turns • Have Fun
Develop Rules With Children When children have a say in developing the rules, they assume ownership and are more likely to embrace them. When developing playground rules, allow children at your school or agency the opportunity to talk about how they like to be treated and what might upset or hurt them when they are playing outside on the playground. Keep the focus on how the children like to be treated by others (Example: Included, treated fairly, encouraged, etc.), and create a list of “good safety choices” to make on the playground. It may be helpful to use happy and sad faces/ thumbs up and thumbs down to provide a visual during discussion about good and less preferred choices. Use this list to create rules that are simple and positive; develop a few broad rules (5 works well) instead of many specific ones.
When establishing the rules, discuss with the children what the rules mean and give examples to which they can relate or role play the rules together. Following are some examples that might be useful in discussing rules with children:
Examples of Positive Elementary Aged Rules: • Everyone can play – include and encourage others • Follow directions • Always return equipment • Use playground equipment appropriately • Keep hands to yourself • Stay inside designated play area • Wear playground-friendly clothing • All games are open
How can children “Be Respectful”?
• Talk about teasing, bullying, following requests from supervisors, and using equipment appropriately.
What does it mean to “Be Careful”?
• Ask them questions like “Why do we wear helmets when we ride our trikes? What could happen if we didn’t?” or “Is it safe to run behind the swings? What could happen?”
• Take turns and be cautious of others
• Stop, look, and listen when you hear the whistle/bell
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Preserving the Play Environment • Promoting the Value of Play • Protecting Children
Preserving the Play Environment • Promoting the Value of Play • Protecting Children
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