TAG is banned in schools

This may not be exclusively related to Attention Deficit issues, but the following article just touched something in me. In a society where we have an epidemic of childhood obesity and attention problems (fidgeting in class, cannot sit still, cannot concentrate) we are now telling kids they cannot run and play "tag" during the 20-30 minute break they get to run off some extra energy?! This makes as much sense as giving a child with ADD issues a detention and taking away their recess and "down" time. If we would give these children more running time or even more stretching breaks they may not have the problem behavior. Taking away the recess time probably makes the problem worse. I am blending two issues here. But I just wanted to share my frustration at "the system" and see what others out there think.


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - An elementary school has banned tag on its playground after some children complained they were harassed or chased against their will.

"It causes a lot of conflict on the playground," said Cindy Fesgen, assistant principal of the Discovery Canyon Campus school.

Running games are still allowed as long as students don't chase each other, she said.

Fesgen said two parents complained to her about the ban but most parents and children didn't object.

In 2005, two elementary schools in the nearby Falcon School District did away with tag and similar games in favor of alternatives with less physical contact. School officials said the move encouraged more students to play games and helped reduce playground squabbles.
Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com/