Open Discussion Forum

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area. 

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

Hi Margaret,
This topic is so important, and admittedly uncomfortable for many teachers. When I observe children closely on the playground, I see a natural inclination towards physical contact. Many teachers where I teach don't allow physical contact, but I think it is an extremely valuable way for children to learn about self regulation. 
Here is how I facilitate "rough and tumble" play. 
At the beginning of the school year, I always notice those kids that can't keep their hands off of each other outside. So we meet and I provided guidelines.
I ask kids to find me when they want to do that kind of play so I can closely supervise.  Kids can put hands and arms around legs and bodies, but never around necks or on faces. the head area is off limits. I coach kids to say "stop" loudly when the play doesn't feel good. Kids must ask if their friend wants to play that way. It takes awhile for kids to figure out their own physical limits and strength. I ask kids to look at each other's faces to see if their friend looks like they are having fun. Each pair is a bit different, but with time, I learn and they learn what works.  The other day, 2 children were watching 2 other children who were wrestling, and wanted to try it, so I gave them the guidelines. The 2 observers began to roll around on the ground near each other, and were delighted with their play. They occasionally bumped into each other, and then veered another direction. It was a joyful interaction, one very different from the other pair who were rolling around on top of each other, also having a great experience. 
We need to get out of our own comfort zone to provide children with a safe way to explore their strengths and limits. Give it a try!!

------------------------------
Hilary Laing
Teacher
Orono Discovery Center
Orono MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

This is a good approach.

------------------------------
Eden McKinnon
Beaverton OR
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2019 09:19 AM
From: Hilary Laing
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi Margaret,
This topic is so important, and admittedly uncomfortable for many teachers. When I observe children closely on the playground, I see a natural inclination towards physical contact. Many teachers where I teach don't allow physical contact, but I think it is an extremely valuable way for children to learn about self regulation.
Here is how I facilitate "rough and tumble" play.
At the beginning of the school year, I always notice those kids that can't keep their hands off of each other outside. So we meet and I provided guidelines.
I ask kids to find me when they want to do that kind of play so I can closely supervise.  Kids can put hands and arms around legs and bodies, but never around necks or on faces. the head area is off limits. I coach kids to say "stop" loudly when the play doesn't feel good. Kids must ask if their friend wants to play that way. It takes awhile for kids to figure out their own physical limits and strength. I ask kids to look at each other's faces to see if their friend looks like they are having fun. Each pair is a bit different, but with time, I learn and they learn what works.  The other day, 2 children were watching 2 other children who were wrestling, and wanted to try it, so I gave them the guidelines. The 2 observers began to roll around on the ground near each other, and were delighted with their play. They occasionally bumped into each other, and then veered another direction. It was a joyful interaction, one very different from the other pair who were rolling around on top of each other, also having a great experience.
We need to get out of our own comfort zone to provide children with a safe way to explore their strengths and limits. Give it a try!!

------------------------------
Hilary Laing
Teacher
Orono Discovery Center
Orono MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

Hello from Melanie, 

------------------------------
Melanie Smith
The Preschool Doctor
thepreschooldoctor.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2019 12:07 AM
From: Eden McKinnon
Subject: Big Body Play

This is a good approach.

------------------------------
Eden McKinnon
Beaverton OR

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2019 09:19 AM
From: Hilary Laing
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi Margaret,
This topic is so important, and admittedly uncomfortable for many teachers. When I observe children closely on the playground, I see a natural inclination towards physical contact. Many teachers where I teach don't allow physical contact, but I think it is an extremely valuable way for children to learn about self regulation.
Here is how I facilitate "rough and tumble" play.
At the beginning of the school year, I always notice those kids that can't keep their hands off of each other outside. So we meet and I provided guidelines.
I ask kids to find me when they want to do that kind of play so I can closely supervise.  Kids can put hands and arms around legs and bodies, but never around necks or on faces. the head area is off limits. I coach kids to say "stop" loudly when the play doesn't feel good. Kids must ask if their friend wants to play that way. It takes awhile for kids to figure out their own physical limits and strength. I ask kids to look at each other's faces to see if their friend looks like they are having fun. Each pair is a bit different, but with time, I learn and they learn what works.  The other day, 2 children were watching 2 other children who were wrestling, and wanted to try it, so I gave them the guidelines. The 2 observers began to roll around on the ground near each other, and were delighted with their play. They occasionally bumped into each other, and then veered another direction. It was a joyful interaction, one very different from the other pair who were rolling around on top of each other, also having a great experience.
We need to get out of our own comfort zone to provide children with a safe way to explore their strengths and limits. Give it a try!!

------------------------------
Hilary Laing
Teacher
Orono Discovery Center
Orono MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

So glad we are discussing this topic - so important for children's development and creates discomfort in many adults supervising children.  One of our favorite activities to address this need was called "pillow toss" but really implemented as pillow fight.  On a defined space (we used a tumbling mat indoors or out) 2 children would face off holding pillows with an adult supervising.  We used 3 minute  sand timers so all interested children could have a turn.  It was intriguing to see who came back over and over for this activity- not always the children you would suspect.
Another wonderful product we invested in were long fabric scarves that children would use for tug of war and to pull each other around on.  Great for sensory input and social/emotional learning.  Hope to hear more ideas from others..

------------------------------
Debora Jones
Retired Master Teacher
Burrier Child Development Center
Eastern Kentucky University
Berea KY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2019 09:19 AM
From: Hilary Laing
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi Margaret,
This topic is so important, and admittedly uncomfortable for many teachers. When I observe children closely on the playground, I see a natural inclination towards physical contact. Many teachers where I teach don't allow physical contact, but I think it is an extremely valuable way for children to learn about self regulation.
Here is how I facilitate "rough and tumble" play.
At the beginning of the school year, I always notice those kids that can't keep their hands off of each other outside. So we meet and I provided guidelines.
I ask kids to find me when they want to do that kind of play so I can closely supervise.  Kids can put hands and arms around legs and bodies, but never around necks or on faces. the head area is off limits. I coach kids to say "stop" loudly when the play doesn't feel good. Kids must ask if their friend wants to play that way. It takes awhile for kids to figure out their own physical limits and strength. I ask kids to look at each other's faces to see if their friend looks like they are having fun. Each pair is a bit different, but with time, I learn and they learn what works.  The other day, 2 children were watching 2 other children who were wrestling, and wanted to try it, so I gave them the guidelines. The 2 observers began to roll around on the ground near each other, and were delighted with their play. They occasionally bumped into each other, and then veered another direction. It was a joyful interaction, one very different from the other pair who were rolling around on top of each other, also having a great experience.
We need to get out of our own comfort zone to provide children with a safe way to explore their strengths and limits. Give it a try!!

------------------------------
Hilary Laing
Teacher
Orono Discovery Center
Orono MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

We allowed rough and tumble play and had the same parameters, always supervised, we used the grass outside and tumbling mats inside. The participants loved it, others ranged from interested to indifferent. We had mostly boys but some girls participated too. The pairing up was interesting, we let them choose and after a few trials they learned who was a good match and who wasn't.  We likened it to puppies or lion cubs playing. 
Then a parent complained, as high up in the ranks as he could. He said other parents would be appalled so we asked the parents to weigh in and had a lot of support, some indifference but he was the only one who was opposed and not just for his son but for everyone! We justified it was pre-wrestling skills, a test of strength, strategy and agility. We teach many pre-sports skills and this is just one of them. (there was NO wrestling in his high school). There is research that is very positive, we made that available, but NO.  He made such a stink, threatened with a lawyer, that the administration (who agreed with us) caved and we could not "wrestle" anymore, anyone, ever. 
But give it a try, we loved it until we couldn't.

------------------------------
Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2019 09:19 AM
From: Hilary Laing
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi Margaret,
This topic is so important, and admittedly uncomfortable for many teachers. When I observe children closely on the playground, I see a natural inclination towards physical contact. Many teachers where I teach don't allow physical contact, but I think it is an extremely valuable way for children to learn about self regulation.
Here is how I facilitate "rough and tumble" play.
At the beginning of the school year, I always notice those kids that can't keep their hands off of each other outside. So we meet and I provided guidelines.
I ask kids to find me when they want to do that kind of play so I can closely supervise.  Kids can put hands and arms around legs and bodies, but never around necks or on faces. the head area is off limits. I coach kids to say "stop" loudly when the play doesn't feel good. Kids must ask if their friend wants to play that way. It takes awhile for kids to figure out their own physical limits and strength. I ask kids to look at each other's faces to see if their friend looks like they are having fun. Each pair is a bit different, but with time, I learn and they learn what works.  The other day, 2 children were watching 2 other children who were wrestling, and wanted to try it, so I gave them the guidelines. The 2 observers began to roll around on the ground near each other, and were delighted with their play. They occasionally bumped into each other, and then veered another direction. It was a joyful interaction, one very different from the other pair who were rolling around on top of each other, also having a great experience.
We need to get out of our own comfort zone to provide children with a safe way to explore their strengths and limits. Give it a try!!

------------------------------
Hilary Laing
Teacher
Orono Discovery Center
Orono MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

Hello from Melanie, 
Perhaps at home with mom's permission we had a  pillow fight, but at preschool the rules say no fighting. And so it's not that teachers don't want children to play this way, it's just not the right place for them to be playing. 
Older children who do sports have to get parents permission.  Do you get parents permission?

------------------------------
Melanie Smith
The Preschool Doctor
thepreschooldoctor.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2019 09:19 AM
From: Hilary Laing
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi Margaret,
This topic is so important, and admittedly uncomfortable for many teachers. When I observe children closely on the playground, I see a natural inclination towards physical contact. Many teachers where I teach don't allow physical contact, but I think it is an extremely valuable way for children to learn about self regulation.
Here is how I facilitate "rough and tumble" play.
At the beginning of the school year, I always notice those kids that can't keep their hands off of each other outside. So we meet and I provided guidelines.
I ask kids to find me when they want to do that kind of play so I can closely supervise.  Kids can put hands and arms around legs and bodies, but never around necks or on faces. the head area is off limits. I coach kids to say "stop" loudly when the play doesn't feel good. Kids must ask if their friend wants to play that way. It takes awhile for kids to figure out their own physical limits and strength. I ask kids to look at each other's faces to see if their friend looks like they are having fun. Each pair is a bit different, but with time, I learn and they learn what works.  The other day, 2 children were watching 2 other children who were wrestling, and wanted to try it, so I gave them the guidelines. The 2 observers began to roll around on the ground near each other, and were delighted with their play. They occasionally bumped into each other, and then veered another direction. It was a joyful interaction, one very different from the other pair who were rolling around on top of each other, also having a great experience.
We need to get out of our own comfort zone to provide children with a safe way to explore their strengths and limits. Give it a try!!

------------------------------
Hilary Laing
Teacher
Orono Discovery Center
Orono MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

In our center, children were not "fighting", they were not angry and did not get hurt; there was a great deal of laughing by participants and observers. When a dad rolls around on the rug with his young son or daughter, are they fighting? Of course not, they're playing. 
We didn't ask for permission (but were pleased with the response when we asked for feedback) because we didn't ask for permission to ride the balance bikes, play with the basketball and hoop or the nerf ball and fat bat. When in doubt, go to the research (one of the best things I learned in grad school).

------------------------------
Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2019 02:10 PM
From: Melanie Smith
Subject: Big Body Play

Hello from Melanie,
Perhaps at home with mom's permission we had a  pillow fight, but at preschool the rules say no fighting. And so it's not that teachers don't want children to play this way, it's just not the right place for them to be playing.
Older children who do sports have to get parents permission.  Do you get parents permission?

------------------------------
Melanie Smith
The Preschool Doctor
thepreschooldoctor.com

Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2019 09:19 AM
From: Hilary Laing
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi Margaret,
This topic is so important, and admittedly uncomfortable for many teachers. When I observe children closely on the playground, I see a natural inclination towards physical contact. Many teachers where I teach don't allow physical contact, but I think it is an extremely valuable way for children to learn about self regulation.
Here is how I facilitate "rough and tumble" play.
At the beginning of the school year, I always notice those kids that can't keep their hands off of each other outside. So we meet and I provided guidelines.
I ask kids to find me when they want to do that kind of play so I can closely supervise.  Kids can put hands and arms around legs and bodies, but never around necks or on faces. the head area is off limits. I coach kids to say "stop" loudly when the play doesn't feel good. Kids must ask if their friend wants to play that way. It takes awhile for kids to figure out their own physical limits and strength. I ask kids to look at each other's faces to see if their friend looks like they are having fun. Each pair is a bit different, but with time, I learn and they learn what works.  The other day, 2 children were watching 2 other children who were wrestling, and wanted to try it, so I gave them the guidelines. The 2 observers began to roll around on the ground near each other, and were delighted with their play. They occasionally bumped into each other, and then veered another direction. It was a joyful interaction, one very different from the other pair who were rolling around on top of each other, also having a great experience.
We need to get out of our own comfort zone to provide children with a safe way to explore their strengths and limits. Give it a try!!

------------------------------
Hilary Laing
Teacher
Orono Discovery Center
Orono MN

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

Hi! We've had different approaches depending on the kids and their needs. This year I said "no wrestling"

We allow kids to touch one another and they have close contact in play. Sometimes they roll down our grassy hill together hugging and squishing one another. Sometimes they they pick one another up (and fall over!) - in chase they inevitably tumble or tackle. We try to guide and set some boundaries- no sneak attacks, no punching, etc... 

this year we had had a few kids who wanted to wrestle. Teachers pulled out mats to make it safe or cleared the grassy areas and we supervised. As the director, I felt very uncomfortable. I am usually in support of following their lead and supporting and elevating all kinds of play. I could tell by the way they played that some of the kids had watched World wide wrestling. I didn't like they way they cheered on the sidelines. I read in the news last year - these horrible sensational stories about "fight clubs in child care" and it promoted such a awful image of early childhood play. My two boys grew up wrestling and engaging in rough house and I know it is healthy- as a parent I tumbled my kids around- squished them, spun them, threw them in the air- but as a child care director I feel more protective and vulnerable. I feel protective of the teachers and myself. I am not worried about the kids but I am worried about the teachers being understood and protected.  I don't believe we would be understood or supported if a child hurt another child while wrestling. I told the teachers no wrestling this year.  I said, we give the children an amazing play based experience indoors and outdoors- but they are going to have to get their wrestling someplace else this year.

------------------------------
Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

Teacher Tom ha a lovely blog here about wrestling time... 
http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/when-is-wrestling-time.html

I love his approach and we've done it like this in the past. This year my gut is telling me no - not for this group of kids and parents and teachers....
 maybe I will feel differently at a different time...


------------------------------
Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 07:28 AM
From: Carol Murray
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi! We've had different approaches depending on the kids and their needs. This year I said "no wrestling"

We allow kids to touch one another and they have close contact in play. Sometimes they roll down our grassy hill together hugging and squishing one another. Sometimes they they pick one another up (and fall over!) - in chase they inevitably tumble or tackle. We try to guide and set some boundaries- no sneak attacks, no punching, etc...

this year we had had a few kids who wanted to wrestle. Teachers pulled out mats to make it safe or cleared the grassy areas and we supervised. As the director, I felt very uncomfortable. I am usually in support of following their lead and supporting and elevating all kinds of play. I could tell by the way they played that some of the kids had watched World wide wrestling. I didn't like they way they cheered on the sidelines. I read in the news last year - these horrible sensational stories about "fight clubs in child care" and it promoted such a awful image of early childhood play. My two boys grew up wrestling and engaging in rough house and I know it is healthy- as a parent I tumbled my kids around- squished them, spun them, threw them in the air- but as a child care director I feel more protective and vulnerable. I feel protective of the teachers and myself. I am not worried about the kids but I am worried about the teachers being understood and protected.  I don't believe we would be understood or supported if a child hurt another child while wrestling. I told the teachers no wrestling this year.  I said, we give the children an amazing play based experience indoors and outdoors- but they are going to have to get their wrestling someplace else this year.

------------------------------
Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

Good Morning,
I went to a conference in March that had keynote speaker and workshop presenter, Dr. Larry Cohen, who works specifically around this topic.  Below is the article I wrote for my parents on the subject after attending the conference.  Dr. Cohen has a book out on this subject as well, for those who are interested to do more research on this topic. 
All the Best,
Sherrie Rose

The Art of Roughhousing

On Saturday, March 9th, Teacher Sherrie Rose had the opportunity to attend the California Council of Parent Participating Nursery Schools (CCPPNS) Convention at the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, California. This article is a summary of some of what she learned at this convention.

I started my day at the Convention with Dr. Larry Cohen, who spoke about "The Art of Roughhousing." Dr. Cohen says there are two types of roughhousing: parent-child and child-child. Children learn how to do roughhousing safely by engaging in parent-child play. This is a unique opportunity to build connection with your child. In good roughhousing, the two people involved make connection at the beginning, the stronger person holds back during the play, then the two people make connection again at the end (this can be in the form of a handshake or a hug, for example).

Dr. Cohen then led participants through hands-on examples of different roughhousing games. Yes, I roughhoused with other co-op teachers! We played:

You Can't Get Past Me
In this game, two players face each other and one player tries to get past the other player. You can't go around, you have to go through!

Hands and Knees
In this game, the two players get on their hands and knees and place their bodies beside each other. From there, you hip check and shoulder check each other!

You'll Never Get Away from Me
In this game, one player is the grabber and the other player is getting away!

Wrestling
In this game, the goal is to get the other player flat on their back. This game is best played with no shoes on!

Dr. Cohen encourages roughhousing families to let the rules emerge as you play. Do short rounds (about 30 seconds). This allows for the play to rev up, cool off ("freeze"), and repeat again ("okay go!")

There are different skills your child may work on as you roughhouse together. Is your kid having a problem? Have them pretend that you are their problem! Is your child scared of physical play? "Juice up" the play a little (for example, have an "elephant" come to your tea party and trample about).

------------------------------
Sherrie Rose Mayle
Director/Teacher
Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
Campbell, CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 08:01 AM
From: Carol Murray
Subject: Big Body Play

Teacher Tom ha a lovely blog here about wrestling time...
http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/when-is-wrestling-time.html

I love his approach and we've done it like this in the past. This year my gut is telling me no - not for this group of kids and parents and teachers....
 maybe I will feel differently at a different time...


------------------------------
Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 07:28 AM
From: Carol Murray
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi! We've had different approaches depending on the kids and their needs. This year I said "no wrestling"

We allow kids to touch one another and they have close contact in play. Sometimes they roll down our grassy hill together hugging and squishing one another. Sometimes they they pick one another up (and fall over!) - in chase they inevitably tumble or tackle. We try to guide and set some boundaries- no sneak attacks, no punching, etc...

this year we had had a few kids who wanted to wrestle. Teachers pulled out mats to make it safe or cleared the grassy areas and we supervised. As the director, I felt very uncomfortable. I am usually in support of following their lead and supporting and elevating all kinds of play. I could tell by the way they played that some of the kids had watched World wide wrestling. I didn't like they way they cheered on the sidelines. I read in the news last year - these horrible sensational stories about "fight clubs in child care" and it promoted such a awful image of early childhood play. My two boys grew up wrestling and engaging in rough house and I know it is healthy- as a parent I tumbled my kids around- squished them, spun them, threw them in the air- but as a child care director I feel more protective and vulnerable. I feel protective of the teachers and myself. I am not worried about the kids but I am worried about the teachers being understood and protected.  I don't believe we would be understood or supported if a child hurt another child while wrestling. I told the teachers no wrestling this year.  I said, we give the children an amazing play based experience indoors and outdoors- but they are going to have to get their wrestling someplace else this year.

------------------------------
Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

------------------------------
Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
------------------------------

Sherrie,
I love what you've shared!
I am going to share this with my parents too - such a meaningful way to connect with our kids and oh so needed more than ever in our world of screens.  It made me think of how my husband and I enjoyed rolling our kids up in blankets and turning them into hot dogs to be gobbled up (tickled) or putting them under the cushions on the couch and turning them into sandwiches to with lots of extra spicy pickles (more tickles!)

Carol

------------------------------
Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 11:30 AM
From: Sherrie Rose Mayle
Subject: Big Body Play

Good Morning,
I went to a conference in March that had keynote speaker and workshop presenter, Dr. Larry Cohen, who works specifically around this topic.  Below is the article I wrote for my parents on the subject after attending the conference.  Dr. Cohen has a book out on this subject as well, for those who are interested to do more research on this topic.
All the Best,
Sherrie Rose

The Art of Roughhousing

On Saturday, March 9th, Teacher Sherrie Rose had the opportunity to attend the California Council of Parent Participating Nursery Schools (CCPPNS) Convention at the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, California. This article is a summary of some of what she learned at this convention.

I started my day at the Convention with Dr. Larry Cohen, who spoke about "The Art of Roughhousing." Dr. Cohen says there are two types of roughhousing: parent-child and child-child. Children learn how to do roughhousing safely by engaging in parent-child play. This is a unique opportunity to build connection with your child. In good roughhousing, the two people involved make connection at the beginning, the stronger person holds back during the play, then the two people make connection again at the end (this can be in the form of a handshake or a hug, for example).

Dr. Cohen then led participants through hands-on examples of different roughhousing games. Yes, I roughhoused with other co-op teachers! We played:

You Can't Get Past Me
In this game, two players face each other and one player tries to get past the other player. You can't go around, you have to go through!

Hands and Knees
In this game, the two players get on their hands and knees and place their bodies beside each other. From there, you hip check and shoulder check each other!

You'll Never Get Away from Me
In this game, one player is the grabber and the other player is getting away!

Wrestling
In this game, the goal is to get the other player flat on their back. This game is best played with no shoes on!

Dr. Cohen encourages roughhousing families to let the rules emerge as you play. Do short rounds (about 30 seconds). This allows for the play to rev up, cool off ("freeze"), and repeat again ("okay go!")

There are different skills your child may work on as you roughhouse together. Is your kid having a problem? Have them pretend that you are their problem! Is your child scared of physical play? "Juice up" the play a little (for example, have an "elephant" come to your tea party and trample about).

------------------------------
Sherrie Rose Mayle
Director/Teacher
Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
Campbell, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 08:01 AM
From: Carol Murray
Subject: Big Body Play

Teacher Tom ha a lovely blog here about wrestling time...
http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/when-is-wrestling-time.html

I love his approach and we've done it like this in the past. This year my gut is telling me no - not for this group of kids and parents and teachers....
 maybe I will feel differently at a different time...


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Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 07:28 AM
From: Carol Murray
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi! We've had different approaches depending on the kids and their needs. This year I said "no wrestling"

We allow kids to touch one another and they have close contact in play. Sometimes they roll down our grassy hill together hugging and squishing one another. Sometimes they they pick one another up (and fall over!) - in chase they inevitably tumble or tackle. We try to guide and set some boundaries- no sneak attacks, no punching, etc...

this year we had had a few kids who wanted to wrestle. Teachers pulled out mats to make it safe or cleared the grassy areas and we supervised. As the director, I felt very uncomfortable. I am usually in support of following their lead and supporting and elevating all kinds of play. I could tell by the way they played that some of the kids had watched World wide wrestling. I didn't like they way they cheered on the sidelines. I read in the news last year - these horrible sensational stories about "fight clubs in child care" and it promoted such a awful image of early childhood play. My two boys grew up wrestling and engaging in rough house and I know it is healthy- as a parent I tumbled my kids around- squished them, spun them, threw them in the air- but as a child care director I feel more protective and vulnerable. I feel protective of the teachers and myself. I am not worried about the kids but I am worried about the teachers being understood and protected.  I don't believe we would be understood or supported if a child hurt another child while wrestling. I told the teachers no wrestling this year.  I said, we give the children an amazing play based experience indoors and outdoors- but they are going to have to get their wrestling someplace else this year.

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Carol Murray
Bard Nursery School
Red Hook NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2019 04:18 PM
From: Margaret Kelly
Subject: Big Body Play

Hi everyone! I have read about the benefits of Big Body Play (aka rough and tumble play). I was wondering if anyone familiar with this could share their experience in this area.

Thank you!

Margaret Kelly

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Margaret Kelly
Director
St Peter Lutheran Nursery School
Lambertville NJ
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