The document discusses the Peaceful Playground approach to reducing bullying at recess. It notes that bullying is widespread and harmful. The Peaceful Playground approach aims to eliminate bullying by providing a variety of activities, games and equipment to engage students and keep them occupied. This reduces conflicts and injuries. Research shows this approach reduces behavioral issues and increases learning when implemented. The conclusion advocates redesigning the school's playground using this approach to help reduce bullying and make recess more purposeful.

1. THE
PEACEFUL
PLAYGROUND
APPROACH
By Jayne Arsenault

2. Bullying is a widespread and serious
problem that can happen anywhere. It is
not a phase children have to go through, it
is not "just messing around", and it is not
something to grow out of. Bullying can
cause serious and lasting harm.

3. Bullying Can Be Displayed in Many
Ways

4.  Bullying Does Happen Often
 Repetition: Incidents of bullying can happen to
the same person over and over by the same
person or group.
 Did you know?
56% of students have personally witnessed
some type of bullying at school especially on the
playground.

5. The Data Below Shows the Greater Number of
Behavior Referrals Occurred at DES Recess Times.
Morning recess- 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 thru 12:45.

6. Many Students Have Witnessed Bullying
Children with little to do during their recess
may seek adventure through various forms of
illicit play-
For example, fighting, teasing and annoying
other children. (Evans 1989)

7. To promote positive playground
behaviors, it is helpful to:
 Encourage a range of activities, games, and
equipment to engage the interest of all
children, from those who like energetic games to
those who prefer more quiet activities.
Increasingly, schools are adopting programs to
promote students’ social skills and prevent
problematic behaviors like fighting.

8. Peaceful Playgrounds Aim To Eliminate
Bullying!
 “This program was created to help increase motor
skills, dramatically reduce injuries, and maximize
playground efficiency.
 More students are active bouncing balls, playing
hopscotch, and moving productively making recess
more peaceful with learning games.
 This gives kids more activities to play at
recess, keeps them more engaged and out of
conflicts.
 Schools that use Peaceful Playground activities
have seen their playground issues decrease
tremendously.

9. Here is a school transforming their
playground with many choices of
activities and games.

10. THIS IS WHAT OUR NEW PEACEFUL
PLAYGROUND COULD LOOK LIKE
WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

11. RESEARCH SHOWS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS
LINKED TO INCREASED LEARNING IN THE
CLASSROOM AND LESS BEHAVIORAL
ISSUES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT
http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/index.htm

12. Redesigning our
playground at Dirigo
ElementarySchool
by using the
Peaceful Playground
approach, would
help reduce
bullying, making
recess more focused
and purposeful for
the children and the
faculty.
"Such peace is no accident... That seemingly simple
change in playground dynamics has made a difference!" -

13. The Peaceful Playground approach works nicely
with the PBIS Program we currently have.
 The concept is delightfully simple and
gives kids some organized games to play.
 It provides a number of activities
resulting in fewer conflicts and reduced
playground injury, while motivating
students to be physically active

14. References
 http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/index.htm
 http://stopbullying.gov/educators/index.html

http://www.cfchildren.org/support/teacherstips/skillsplay
ground/