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Greetings!
This month's newsletter provides information on Box Tops for Education and information on Volunteers who paint the U.S. Map Playground Stencil and an article on the recent release of the CA Physical Education Framework. Don't miss our U.S. Map Playground Stencil Coupon at the bottom of this newsletter. Clip and save for discount.
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Why Play?
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 Recently we, adults and children alike, appear to have lost our motivation to
play. With the economy spiraling downward, fear and uncertainty can manifest itself
into anger and frustration. Who feels like playing in these uncertain times?
But for children, oblivious to the worlds' angst and anxieties, let's not forget
as caregivers we can encourage children to go outdoors and play. As childcare workers,
we also hold within our power the important ability to balance the time spent indoors
and out. Schools and daycare centers can bring back recess and playtime for children
by scheduling a minimum of 30 minute break times in the day for fun and unadulterated
play.
Why play? The following topics are covered in this month's featured article: Understanding the Importance of Play; Play and Development; Play and Its Close Relationship to Recess; Play and Academics; Child's Play as Work; Playing with Things Rather Than Playing With Others; Why the Decline in Play; Anxious Parents Schedule Children's Play; and finally Why Play?
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ABC for Fitness = Classroom Physical Activities
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As a response to the reduction in physical activity opportunities, Dr.
David Katz developed a manual which provides instruction for teachers
to incorporate short bursts of activity at the beginning of each school
day. ABC for Fitness can ensure that children obtain the level of
physical activity that is essential for good health and well being
according to the ABC for Fitness Teacher's Manual.
The ABC for Fitness Manual is
free to download from his website. It includes stretching suggestions,
planning for instruction, recommendations for activity burst selection
by grade span and listings of other physical activity resources.
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Month in Review-Important information
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 In this section we will review some of the events of the last month on topics including: play, playground safety, legislation, physical education and nutrition recess.
The Fit Kids Act
would require schools, districts and states to report on students'
physical activity, and to give youngsters health and nutritional
information. The bill was supported by NFL players on March 19 in
Washington DC.
Recess Before Lunch Request for Information is available for download from our featured article page including: podcast, RBL Guide to Success, slideshow, fact sheets, and research for making your RBL program a success.
Peaceful Playgrounds Enriching Play Environments was the topic of a recent blog after a customer suggested that we advocate for a structured recess. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, we
strongly advocate for schools "to allow children free time at recess
to do what ever they choose or do nothing." I guess the
misunderstanding comes from the appearance of a "structured
playground." A better and more accurate way to think of a Peaceful
Playground is as an "enriched play environment."
10 Reasons to Play Stuart Brown has released a new book on play in which he identifies 10
reasons play is important. You can check out longer descriptions of all
10 reasons that play is important in either his book, Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul or from an article in US News and World Report entitled, 10 Reasons Play Can Make You Healthy, Happy, and More Productive.
Sound Body = Sound Mind Texas fitnessgram test results reveal a correlation between physically
fit students and academic test scores. The findings, including that physically fit
students score better on academic performance tests have fewer
discipline problems and better attendance records, come as no surprise
to educators.
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Sincerely,
Melinda Bossenmeyer
Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc.
www.peacefulplaygrounds.com
951-732-9918
melinda@peacefulplaygrounds.com
17975 Collier Ave. Unit 5
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Copyright Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc. April 09 All Rights Reserved
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