Rough and Tumble Play...a memory

Tonight I clicked on the “memories” Facebook had for me from this day years past. One came up that grabbed my attention, and I just must share.

When I posted this memory, I received many questions and comments as this concept was new for many (parents and early childhood educators alike).

I remember Dan Hodgins and other friends saying I needed to put this in a blog post. I didn’t…so now I am!

The August 25, 2015 memory read like this…

Last night I was part of a conversation about rough and tumble play with preschool aged children. Rough and tumble play is something that frightens many adults at least a little. Some question whether it is healthy. Some even ban children from rough and tumble play. Unfortunately those children are missing an incredible learning opportunity.

Among things learned directly through this type of play are self regulation, ability to read facial expressions, listening skills, gross motor development, and social navigation. As you can see in this little video clip, the skills being used and developed here are tremendous! Sure we could work as teachers diligently to regulate/prevent this type of play, but imagine all that we would be neglecting these children of developing! I'm reminded of when I've heard Bev Bos and Dan Hodgins remind us to ask ourselves, "will the world end if I allow this to happen?"

This video clip was taken this morning during a wrestling session that lasted more than 45 minutes for this group of children. There was one boy with a slight bumped head during this time and one slightly twisted ankle. Both of these "injured" children moved straight back into the rough play after a very brief pause to vocalize their hurt.

After this lengthy rough and tumble play, this group of children moved naturally, by self initiation into eating snack and then into cooperative play in every sort of animal costume imaginable...moving together throughout the school space.

Had we tried to prevent this play, we would have likely faced some very challenging behaviors, as these children's bodies and brains NEEDED to play BIG!

On top of all the above mentioned learning, the strengthening of relationships between these children that has developed through the rough and tumble play is AMAZING! It puts many adult relationships I've seen and experienced to shame! I think these kids are onto something!