At least two Quebec schools have announced pilot projects to set up supervised zones in the schoolyard called rough play zones.


Most schools frown on pushing and shoving these schools are experimenting with the idea of letting their students play rough.

The play-fighting zone will be outlined by cones, and subject to strict rules including:

Participation has to be voluntary, and kicking, hitting, biting, or throwing objects is strictly forbidden.

Before being allowed to play in the zones, kids are taught how to fall without hurting themselves and to immediately back off if a student says ‘stop,’

They say it doesn't encourage violence, it actually prevents it by showing kids how to expend their energy in an appropriate way. Also that by allowing children to play on their own teaches them valuable lessons, including empathy for peers and how to set rules and negotiate boundaries.

Do you think it's a good idea and we should be doing something similar in Airdrie schools? Is it time to let kids rough house again?