Elementary school was perfect, especially in the early grades before homework began.
You got nap times and snack breaks right in the middle of the school day. That's the kind of scholastic experience you just can't replicate as you get older -- at least until you start making your own schedule in college.
Then there's the mother of all grade school innovations: recess. What could be better than going outside and playing games with your friends for half an hour? I used to wonder what kind of benevolent principal invented recess. Usually those folks insist that students spend their time actually learning.
But now I realize that kids learn a lot at recess -- probably more than in their second-grade classrooms. That principal knew what he or she was doing.
My thoughts have turned to recess this summer because some of my friends, trapped in Muncie, have taken to passing time with the playground classic "four square."
Like euchre, four square seems to be a midwestern phenomenon. I was almost in middle school by the time I came to the "Crossroads of America," so I had never played. Fortunately, four square is much easier to learn than euchre -- I still can't play that dreaded card game after 10 years among Hoosiers. But I digress.
The beauty of the four square is that, simple as it is, when advanced players become king or queen, they can add their own twists and make it outrageously complicated.
You can find the basic rules here: www.gameskidsplay.net/games/ball_games/foursquare.htm.
As we played, I began to notice the lessons young children could learn from the game. It wouldn't help them in multiplication or spelling (although it might improve their spatial skills), but four square would surely teach kids how to deal with each other. For example, they learn that:
1) Fun can be simple. All you need for innocent entertainment is a ball and a parking lot.
2) It's fine to be good at the game, but no one likes people who "play mean." If you do, it won't be long before the other players gang up to take you down a notch.
3) It's just as much fun to talk with your friends while you wait in line as it is to actually play the game.
4) If you aren't nice, no one has fun. Bad sports ruin it for everyone.
5) Referees are completely unnecessary. The crowd's groans and yells will make rule-breakers abundantly obvious.
6) Any remaining conflicts can be solved with a simple round of rock-paper-scissors. Luck never lies.
7) Some people have very sophisticated strategies for winning rock-paper-scissors (see www.worldrps.com) -- these do not work.
8) Games are more fun if you don't care about winning.
9) The king or queen gets to make the rules of the game, but it's lonely at the top.
10) Marty is mean.
Well, okay, maybe the kids on the playground don't learn that last one. Heck, they probably aren't even aware of the other life lessons they learn while they play.
But they do know, without even thinking about it, that playing is very important. In fact, it's the most important thing they do.
Stressed, serious college students would do well to imitate their grade school counterparts. Next time I plan a schedule, I'm going to leave a half hour block after lunch to relax. It'll be even better than recess -- I won't have to stand in time out for throwing spit wads.
Will you play with me?
Write to Stephen at
stevehj@mac.com
+â-äI
@
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
