Are you shocked by what happened when this school threw out the rule book?

When a school decided to stop controlling how their students behaved in the playground, the most amazing thing happened…

Schools revolve around rules. Their very ability to function requires each and every student to know exactly what is expected of them and if the rules are broken, the consequences can be harsh. So what do you think would happen if a school simply handed over control of the playground to students?

Swanson Primary School in New Zealand agreed to be part of an experiment to see what would happen if they did away with playground rules. The surprising results included a measurable reduction in bullying, serious injuries and vandalism… and an increase in concentration levels during class time.

Principal Bruce McLachlan said the lesson they learned was that students need some freedom. He told TVNZ, “We want kids to be safe and to look after them, but we end up wrapping them in cotton wool when in fact they should be able to fall over.” He said that while playgrounds look chaotic and adults worry they’ll get hurt, they usually don’t.

The experiment was started by AUT and Otago University just over two years ago and it was aimed at encouraging active play. But the school was so fascinated by the concept of allowing children to manage their own playground time that they took it a few steps further, to the horror of many teachers.

The school set up areas filled with loose parts such as junk wood, tyres and an old fire hose and let the kids do what they wanted with them. There reported no bullying, graffiti or any misbehaviour. Mr. McLachlan said the children made the most of the opportunity, making mudslides, using skateboards, climbing trees and having fun. Teachers weren’t needed for playground duty any more and the ‘time out’ area was no longer required.

Head researcher on the project, Grant Schofields, said modern school playgrounds have too many rules. “The great paradox of cotton-woolling children is it’s more dangerous in the long-run. Society’s obsession with protecting children ignores the benefits of risk-taking.”

He said what children learn from taking risks can’t be taught. “They have to learn risk on their own terms. It doesn’t develop by watching TV, they have to get out there.”

Four schools in Dunedin and four in West Auckland also took part and experienced similar results. The results have left researchers wondering, do modern school playgrounds have too many rules?

Would you be happy for your kids’ school to try this experiment? Or would you be scared of what might happen without rules?