Why do we have disconnected students? Disengaged teachers? Teachers who call for help at any moment when a child is overwhelmed?
Lack of relationship. Lack of consistency. Lack of time spent just listening??
Maybe.
But allowing a classroom to unite is one of the trickiest things a teacher can navigate. However, once conquered, the unified class begins to feel a connectedness and comradeship.
Play, is a word that is used often in the context of junior primary. Allowing students to navigate open ended provocations and watching interactions can be extremely beneficial for a teacher.
But what happens outside of the class at play times is just as important. These are the times when children feel the least safe and often ends in conflict. Research shows a rise in violent behaviours at school, primary school- junior primary even. Why? Just look at society. Look at the games parents are allowing their children to watch. Call of Duty was never made for tiny minds. Squid games for adults was never intended for young ones, but due to accessibility we are seeing behaviours in these games, creeping into the school yard with drastic consequences.
“Keep my child safe”
“Why is this happening to my child?”
“Bullying is rife”
Yeah…. Why? What a child sees, they repeat.
Domestic violence rates have increased.
The price of living has increased.
Students presenting with no food at school has increased.
So, Play is the way is an initiative of Wilson McCaskill. An initiative that allows for teachers, through games, to teach not only communication skills, but resilience, collaboration and problem solving. Skills that are required to navigate the 21st century.
Seeing a cohort of students work together to support in positive language is something this is hoped for. Which hopefully will filter into playground behaviour. The data and surveys collected
will hopefully prove this to be true.
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