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Peaceful Playgrounds Spotlight School
Central Elementary School What is the “Peaceful Playground” Program? The Peaceful Playgrounds provides an organized playground with appealing games and activities. Through these, incidents of playground conflict and injury are reduced and children develop motor, social, and cognitive skills. Peaceful Playgrounds is a positive behavior support program that is implemented school wide. All staff, students, and supervisors engage in regular cycles of training and review of basic program components including review of the game rules and procedures. What are the benefits of the Peaceful Playground program?
Through the activities in the program, the school community is introduced to a consistent set of rules, conflict resolution strategies, and expectations for appropriate behavior. Children practice skills in problem solving and responsible behavior that expand from the playground to the classroom, home, and community. What is the school view regarding conflict resolution? Conflict, a normal part of social interaction, presents learning opportunities for children, particularly at the elementary level. Children make mistakes; it is one of the ways in which they learn socially acceptable behaviors. Most disagreements that involve young children are not characterized as acts of bullying. How can we tell the difference between normal conflicts and bullying?
Bullying has as its goal the gaining power over or dominating another individual (District 39’s definition of bullying). How can we distinguish between friendly teasing and hurtful taunting? Friendly teasing is a form of humor used in a trusting relationship where the participants understand boundaries and are sensitive to the emotions of others. Hurtful taunting involves repeated derogatory remarks or actions designed to intentionally hurt the feelings of others. What is the difference between “telling” and “tattling”?
Tattling is a communication manipulation used to get someone into trouble. We discourage “tattling”. What strategies for conflict resolution are recommended through the Peaceful Playground program? The following three strategies, used in any sequence, are among the kid-friendly ways that children can solve their problems:
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One of the ways in which children learn to
play and work cooperatively is through
positive recreational experiences. Since
disagreements are more likely to occur in
unstructured environments, Peaceful
Playgrounds provides a setting that
encourages skills in conflict resolution.
Conflicts are disagreements between two
equal parties, and usually occur because of
a clash of ideas or interests.
Bullying is categorized by incidents of
repeatedly directed physical, verbal, or
psychological aggression or harassment
toward others.
Telling a parent, teacher, or supervisor
about a concerning event helps a child get
out of trouble or danger. We encourage the
practice of “telling” as a way to involve
adult intervention.
