Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Rough and Tumble during Covid

    Posted 02-24-2021 04:34 PM
    I'm wondering...how are you all handling the need for rough and tumble play during Covid?  I teach 4/5 year old's, and in the past I've worked very hard to facilitate safe rough and tumble play.  We'd have wrestling time inside.  And outside I'd let them push and pull on each other as long as both parties were in agreement and it wasn't done out of anger.  I did draw the line at punching and kicking.  I gave them "soft swords" (pipe insulation) to satisfy their need to strike as long as, again, both parties agreed, and it was below the neck.  This year though, because of the call for "social distance" (which I personally think is developmentally inappropriate and practically impossible), I find myself stepping in and disallowing close rough and tumble play.  Even though the kids are masked and outside ( our program is 100% outside this year).  What are you all doing? What are your thoughts?

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    Scott Mitchell
    Teacher
    Silver Spring Nursery School
    Maryland
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  • 2.  RE: Rough and Tumble during Covid

    Posted 02-26-2021 03:29 AM
    I think this is great and awesome..The kid's are learning fine and gross motor skills.





  • 3.  RE: Rough and Tumble during Covid

    Posted 02-26-2021 11:37 AM
    Scott, rough and tumble play is SO important for kids so I think you should keep up the same boundaries you had before and allow it. They're outdoors with masks on and they are close in circumstances I'm sure. I believe your instincts are correct and true social distancing is developmentally inappropriate for young children. You're taking safety precautions and that's great.

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    Dawne Morison
    Gainesville FL
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  • 4.  RE: Rough and Tumble during Covid

    Posted 02-27-2021 11:58 AM
    Hi Scott,

    I love that you're invested in providing an opportunity for such an important aspect of play! I think that as long as the children are wearing masks and following all the other health and safety protocols (temp checks, pre-entry health questionnaire, frequent hand-washing, etc) there is a safe way to encourage big body play. Maybe the need to wrestle could be met with large pillows or foam pieces like child-safe punching bags. Are there heavy objects in the outdoor environment that the children can independently move and manipulate meeting that need for intense physical exertion? Perhaps this NAEYC article or this recent webinar, Children's Lively Minds by @Deb Curtis and @Nadia Jaboneta could help. Nadia reviews how she transformed a portion of her classroom to create a big-body moment and sensory area, during COVID no less! Your program is outside, but perhaps some of the same guiding principles could apply?

    I've love to hear what solutions you come up with!




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    Erin Murray
    Education Consultant
    Moorestown, NJ
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