Synchronicity has brought one of the nation’s great playground designers to Chattanooga at a time when Rachel Bush, Kathryn Truman and Morgan Garner commented on the vital importance of recess to a successful education (Feb. 3, Say yes to Recess). Meghan Talarowski of Studio Ludo will visit Chattanooga as part of the CIVIQ speaker series (many thanks to Lyndhurst and Chattanooga Design Studio) in our Public Library on Feb 27. She is an accomplished playground designer and landscape architect. Google her and check out her projects and read about her serious research into play and the value of play.
To tie-in this CIVIQ event to the subject of recess, the value of play to childhood education is well documented, so the smart people know that play is “essential” and “fundamental” to proper mental and physical development. Decreasing or eliminating recess is asking for poorer school performance. In short, no recess, no play, no learning. Recess is absolutely crucial and that recess time must be utilized in free play. Proper play spaces with lots of “play value” must be available at every school. The amount of recess time must be expanded, not reduced. Those with degrees in childhood education and development know that without play in the child’s day, the effectiveness of any (yes, any) classroom education is drastically reduced. Decades of research indicates that children who are denied adequate play time every day are far more likely to end up as adult tenants of the legal/prison system. Who wants that for anyone’s child?
The President recently noted that kids in Scandinavian countries outperform American kids at every level. No wonder. Compare any Scandinavian school's playground to one of ours. Look at the average city in one of the countries that the President mentions and you will note their totally stunning playgrounds and parks. the well designed streets, and available public transportation.
What can we do for American kids? Educate ourselves and talk to the local education boards. This CIVIQ event can help to get you started. Meghan is well educated, and has a proven talent for making play effective. Effective play makes recess meaningful so that children can actually learn during their class time. Meghan will be at CIVIQ. I encourage everyone to check out the Chattanooga Design Studio website and do the free registration thing to hear her.
Shannon Mikus