MONTREAL — While pushing and shoving is often frowned upon in the schoolyard, some Quebec elementary schools are experimenting with the idea of letting their students play rough. At least two schools have announced pilot projects to set up supervised ‘rough play’ zones in the schoolyard, where students can shove, grab and wrestle in the snow to their hearts’ content. On snowy days, a play-fighting zone is outlined by cones, and is subject to strict rules, according to principal Sherley Bernier. She reminds them that participation is voluntary, and there are plenty of other schoolyard activities for kids to do. Bernier believes that, rather than encouraging violence, the project actually prevents it by showing kids how to expend their energy in an appropriate way.

Source: National Post February 24, 2019 18:00 UTC