The politics of recess

In her article, The Hidden Dangers of Freeze Tag, Kyra Kyles writes:

"School administrators at Willett Elementary School in Attleboro, Mass., have banned kids from playing tag and touch football during recess because of liability fears. They join a list of overreacting officials at elementary schools in Wyoming, Washington and South Carolina with similar bans, according to The Associated Press."

Her article, fortunately, is fun to read. Fortunately, because fun is precisely what's at stake here - the fun of being a child, of having the energy and passion, curiosity and capacity for delight. Yes, yes, there are risks, liabilities even. But any institution that is purportedly dedicated to children, and finds itself unable to defend the child's right to play, simply cannot serve the whole child - physically, socially, educationally. I know this. I know you know this. But apparently there are others who have forgotten. Hopefully, all they need is a gentle, playful reminder, or two, or many.

from Bernie DeKoven's FunLog