by Jessica Shayne

Created on: March 06, 2009

Life's Little Games

The game of tag is among many schoolyard activities played by children of all ages, races social levels and cultures. It has likely been played for far longer than we are aware of and should be encouraged, not discouraged. It is a relatively safe game, as safe as you can get where children chase each other around madly, it is fun and it is a healthy activity.

If you watch young children playing, even those that have never been introduced to the game of tag, you will see that the children naturally, instinctively chase each other around. Before they know how to share and take turns, they learn to run and chase. Tag in fact could be considered a primitive form of interaction and competition. You will notice that even animals, whether wild or domesticated chase each other as a form of play as well.

Aside from the "play" aspect, children who engage in games such as tag will over time improve their physical capabilities such as stamina, strength and flexibility. Their ability to strategize will improve as will their self esteem and confidence.

Any problems that arise surrounding the game of tag are not with the game itself but with the children who play it. Bullying can become a problem during any situation where children are gathered and adults must begin to place blaim appropriately. Do not ban a game because of a few bad kids, instead punish the children for bad behaviour.

Certainly some children will be at a disadvantage since some kids seem to be naturally faster, more agile, and better able to evade their opponent, but this too is a good thing. We need to face the fact that not all children are created equal. There will be winners and there will be losers. Kids are not as sensitive and delicate as we treat them in todays society. In order to become a good sport and learn to have a winning attitude children need to experience winning and losing.

If we continue on this path of banning enjoyable activities for children then what will they do? Boredom leads to mischief, and mischief leads to far bigger problems then a game of tag creates. We cannot and should actually refuse to plan our children's entire lives. Let them free to explore and learn on their own. Our future world will be full of robots who can't make a decision without others input. Parents will not be around forever to tell their children what is right and wrong, it is our job to teach them and then let them go to try it for themselves.

Don't take the game from the child, take the bully from the game.

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