Guest Post from Suzanne: The Role of Rough and Tumble Play in Young Children’s Development
Dear Families,
Recently, the idea that play is the foundation of social and cognitive development in the early years has been gaining ground. This has resulted in a spate of interesting research, books, educational conferences and articles in the paper. LREI’s founder Elisabeth Irwin believed in this idea deeply, and play has always been consistently woven into our early childhood program.
Meanwhile, rough and tumble play remains a challenging idea that many adults, teachers and parents alike find they are less sure about. Rough and tumble play is the kind of roughhousing that involves gentle wrestling or “play fighting.” Where does this kind of play fit in?
Recently, at a conference titled, “But Does It Work? Debating an Independent Curriculum,” NYU researcher Clancy Blair shared his findings that rough and tumble play benefits social development. Because children express so much physical exuberance through play fighting, they gain the opportunity to learn to regulate this. By engaging in this play, children also learn to read social cues and to regulate their emotions and impulses more productively. While this type of play is often considered to be the domain of boys, Blair pointed out that it is critical for all children, and should even be encouraged.
What about at school? Teachers often see young children engage in rough and tumble play on the roof, as well as during transitions and free time. There are times when it can get uncomfortable when children tumble around or “play fight,” but teachers also understand that it is important to make a safe space for. Superhero play, “bad guys,” or Star Wars themed play come up frequently in early childhood classrooms. LREI teachers understand the value of allowing children to develop these forms of expression, and if children need time to act out “fighting” scenes on the rug or roof, teachers monitor it for safety. For example, children may be asked to share first whether or not they are comfortable with the play and are encouraged to speak up if they are not. Children — both boys and girls — need the space and freedom to play in a physical way, and the role of the teacher is to monitor the play for safety, and to create an environment in which children feel empowered to take risks, stand up for themselves and express themselves if they are uncomfortable.
In my own parenting experience, I’ve seen that my two-and-a-half-year-old son loves to engage in roughhousing. He loves to be bounced around, grabbed suddenly, and even engages in the occasional “take-down” with friends where he grabs their legs and throws them down on a bed or pillows. One of his friends delights in this, another friend expresses that he doesn’t want any part of it. My son is learning when it’s appropriate, how it’s appropriate, and with whom it’s appropriate. I enjoy observing the process as he negotiates the boundaries and learns social cues.
All children need to physically test things out to experience and learn about the world. Through safe rough and tumble play, children express exuberance, learn safe boundaries, social cues, and self-regulation. For adults, we sometimes have to regulate our discomfort, and trust that children have tremendous capacities to figure things out on their own and with each other.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Cohen
Early Childhood Curriculum Coordinator
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LETTERS FROM LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
(click on the links below to view and print notes from teachers)
Deborah & Randi’s 2nd Grade: Click here to read a note from Deborah and Randi about the many ways the students have been exploring Chinese culture and traditions in their neighborhood study, including traveling to Chinatown and making tangrams!
Kate & Nicole’s 4th Grade: Click here to read a letter from Kate and Nicole’s about the fourth graders’ many recent field trips and an important note about homework.
All Fourth Grade: Click here for a letter for all fourth grade parents on the new math unit, including ideas for practice at home.
From Afterschool: Come check out the Afterschool blog at: http://blog.lrei.org/afterschoolphotos/
New posts include Reds: Experiments/Explorations: Bones Project- 1/25; Choice Friday: Rope Swing Art-1/28; Reds: Art Day: Hand Art-1/31, Blues Stop Motion Animation Art Project (Fall), and Blues/Reds Cooking Project: Monkey Bread- 2/3.
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LOWER SCHOOL REMINDERS AND EVENTS
For the most up-to-date information visit the school’s online calendar at www.lrei.org/calendar. Click here to download the one-page 2010-11 school calendar.
Presidents’ Weekend Reminder: LREI will be closed Monday and Tuesday, February 21st and 22nd for Presidents’ Day.
A note about Valentine’s Day:
Dear Parents,
The month of February brings with it a number of holidays, including Valentine’s Day. I wanted to let you know in advance how we plan to acknowledge this day in school community. Some classes will be expressing appreciation to the many support staff who do work behind the scenes in the lower school. Some teachers may mention the holiday, read a story and/or do a craft project. However, students will not be exchanging Valentine cards with each other in school. In this way, we’re able to maintain the day’s curricular momentum and avoid the hurt feelings that arise so frequently as cards are swapped, dropped, and misplaced during a school day. If your child would like to send Valentines, please do help them to send them by mail as this is a good alternative.
On behalf of our faculty, I appreciate your understanding and support.
Best wishes,
Namita
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
HAIRSPRAY: February 24th, 25th and 26th at 7pm and 2pm on Saturday the 26th in the PAC at 40, Charlton Street. Tickets on sale Tuesday 16th at 8am in both school lobbies. $10 students and senior citizens, $12 for adults.
In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. HAIRSPRAY is not only a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s but also a story of how a single person can make a change within a community. Tracy is a tornado of positivity and open mindedness that we follow as she navigates through high school and beyond.
LREI’s high school students have been working hard in rehearsals through this tough winter to bring you a spectacular show. We guarantee to warm you up and blast away the winter blues! This huge production, with larger than life characters and up beat numbers featuring our fantastic students should not to be missed. HAIRSPRAY is for the whole family and we sincerely hope you will come and support the many high school students and faculty involved.
- Directed by Joanne Magee and Lorna Jordan
- Musical Director: Matt McLean
- Choreographer: Peggy Peloquin
- Set Design: Jorge Dieppa
- Costume Design: Mark Caswell
- Vocal Coach: Susan Glass
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PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
All parent association meetings are held in the LS Cafeteria at 8:45 am, unless otherwise noted
- Mon, Feb 14, 2011: Multi-Cultural Comm. Mtg.
- Wed, Feb 16, 2011: LS-MS POCOC Mtg.
Community Service Committee: LREI COLLECTION DRIVE FOR ROOM TO GROW
Help a baby born into poverty by donating to room to grow (new and nearly new items for children aged 3 months -7 years old; clothing, toys, strollers, high chairs, all in good condition). Click here to view a flyer with complete details.
WHEN: Monday, February 14th – Friday, February 18th.
WHERE: Drop-off bins will be located in the Sixth Avenue lobby each morning from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. To receive a receipt for tax purposes, please fill out the attached form with information about your donations and return to the front desk.
Red is Green: In February the Red is Green Committee will be recycling plastic bottle caps. We are collecting rigid plastic caps such as caps on shampoo, water, milk and other beverage bottles. Also, pharmaceutical lids, flip top caps on tubes and food product bottles (such as ketchup and mayonnaise), and laundry detergents. When these caps are thrown away, they often end up in rivers and oceans with drastic consequences for both wildlife and the environment. The caps will be recycled through the Aveda plastic bottle cap recycling program. Caps can be dropped off in the collection bin in the 6th avenue lobby. Click here to view a flyer with complete information.
Sports Committee: Ready for some indoor fun on a chilly afternoon? Our basketball teams are RED HOT! So warm up with friends and come to one of our exciting home games! Be prepared to scream, yell, wave your flags and MAKE SOME NOISE as we CHEER OUR TEAMS ON TO VICTORY! All games are held at Thompson Street Athletic Center, 145 Thompson Street. LET’S GO KNIGHTS!! Knights home game schedule for next week:
- 2/10/2011 – MS Girls vs BWL 4PM
- 2/11/2011 – Intramurals – Red/Blue TieDye/Black
- 2/14/2011 – MS Girls vs Packer 4PM
- 2/15/2011 – Varsity Teams Big Apple Conference Playoff 2 vs 3
- 2/16/2011 – MS Boys vs VCS 4PM
- 2/17/2011 – MS Boys vs BWL 4PM
Literary Committee: Did you ever wonder what that book was that had your child so enthralled, or why everyone is suddenly so gaga over teenage vampires? Then come to Well-REaD, a children’s and young adult book discussion event for parents, sponsored by the LREI Literary Committee. It will be held on Thursday, April 7th, from 6-8pm, in the Sixth Avenue building. Sign up for one of four book discussions led by our LREI librarians featuring titles that your children have read and enjoyed.
Like all good book discussions, wine and cheese will be served along with lots of lively discussion on some of the most popular titles published for youth today. Books will be made available for order through the LREI Literary Committee, and make great additions to your child’s bookshelf. Click here for the list of books/order form and credit card authorization form.
Childcare will be available for those attending WELL REaD. The cost will be $15 per child and $5 for siblings. A sign-up sheet will be available at the front desk (you may also e-mail Mary Shea, at mshea@LREI.org).
We’re looking forward to a night of lively discussions. Hope to see you there!
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LOWER SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
All Lower School Assemblies are held in our Auditorium at 8:45 a.m, unless otherwise noted.
Wed, Apr 13, 2011: First Gr. Assembly
Wed, Apr 20, 2011: K’s Music Assembly
Wed, Apr 27, 2011: 2nd Gr. Assembly
Wed, May 4, 2011: 4s/4k Assembly
Wed, May 11, 2011: 3rd Gr. Assembly
Wed, May 18, 2011: 4th Gr. Assembly (note change)
Wed, May 25, 2011: K’s Movement Assembly (note change)
Wed, Jun 1, 2011: 4s/4k Movement Assembly
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LOWER SCHOOL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES 2010-2011
Beth’s Fours Maren Berthelsen, Becca Markley
Fours/K Marjorie Goldner,
Sara Taplitz
Elizabeth’s K Juliet Burrows,
Carmen Lenzi
Luise’s K Shannon Barden,
Yael Goverover
Gina’s 1st Diane Hoffman,
Ceci Van Blerkom
Galen’s 1st Dawn Eig,
Christine Boyle
Rebecca’s 1st Hilary Meltzer,
Mishi Hosono
Tasha’s 2nd Mary Gerzema,
Linda Phillips
Deborah’s 2nd A.M. Homes,
Fia Hatsav,
Julia Wilbur
Dan’s 3rd Holly Glass,
Denise Roederer
Vonick’s 3rd Heather McMaster,
Beth Dary
Dina’s 4th Connie Butler,
Lara Olivieri
Kate’s 4th Susan Harris,
Liselotte Vince