S

October 31, 2008

Dear Parents,

A number of schools in the area were introduced to a new program this summer entitled the Trouble-Free Playground, by Dr. Curt Hinson, author and the program creator.  We were one of the schools attending and found elements of the program to have merit.

Dr. Hinson has proposed a number of “basics of recess” including, “it is a time for children to learn through movement, play, and social interaction.”  He also discusses 3 Principles to Recess, and Six Steps to a Trouble Free Playground. 

We agree and want to limit the number of non-inclusion games and activities, and instead teach and promote inclusion-style activities for everyone.  Dr. Hinson has provided a number of new strategies and modifications to our standard games and sports activities.  For example, popular games such as football, dodgeball, and even Duck-Duck Goose can be modified to be safer, more inclusive, and provide for more activity to more students.

For example, even though we have allowed only touch-football to be played, competitive students have lost their tempers and become angry leading to arguments, inappropriate contact, and even fights. Also, typical of playground activity, the more athletic students tend to control the play.  With Dr. Hinson’s modifications, his version of football: 1) is limited to 6-on-6; 2) played on a smaller field; #3) the skill positions are rotated; and #4) participants can not run with the ball after the catch. This allows more games to be played, with more students playing the skill positions, with more ability levels included. So football is allowed on the playground, but using these modifications.

Our goal is to bring more structure, provide more safety, and increase student participation to a non-structured area of your child’s school day. I have directed our physical education teachers to teach the new versions of the games in their elementary classes, and our playground supervisors are encouraging those games.   This is a long term process, and I welcome your thoughts and suggestions as we continue our efforts.

You can learn more at drcurthinson@comcast.net.

Sincerely,

Scott Brant

Elementary Principal