We generally think of recess as fun time for children. But it is not always so for those who find socialising difficult or for those who have trouble thinking of something to do.
Incorporating social and friendship skills into the daily class program has enormous benefits in preventing unhappy times in the playground.
Happy and peaceful playgrounds can be cultivated by:
- providing children with strategies for friendly play, including how to join in, participate, and allow others to join in;
- teaching children activities and games to play alone or with others;
- offering equipment to support those activities and games.
Peaceful playgrounds filled with happy active children contribute to a healthier, happier community more able to focus on learning during class time.
Being active contributes to children’s overall physical development, including gross and fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination, and fitness.
Opportunities for introducing activities and games can be seized in many areas of the curriculum. In addition to the obvious; physical education, they can be slotted into
Continue reading: Ideas for playtime at school – Readilearn
Norah Colvin 