In contrast to the modern trend of helicopter parenting and safety-first playgrounds, one school in New Zealand has decided to completely do away with rules during recess playtime to great effect. They aren't alone in this reversal, some of which can be justified by a study showing that children who injured themselves by falling from heights grow up to be less fearful of heights than those who weren't hurt.
(Score: 5, Informative) by Thexalon on Friday June 13 2014, @12:25PM
The Summerhill School in Britain has as its basic principle very minimal rules, including no requirement that students even attend classes. Basically, if you're not hurting anyone, you're allowed to do whatever it is you want to be doing. The whole place is run as a democracy, with students and faculty getting equal votes (that is, the kids can and sometimes do outvote the adults).
They have some other crazy ideas, like placing kids in classes according to their ability rather than their age: If you can do calculus at 13, you're going to be in class with the 17-year-olds who can do calculus, rather than stuck learning what the other 13-year-olds are capable of.
It apparently works at least as well as the more strict schools, and prevents a lot of the reaction of "Hey, teacher! Leave them kids alone! [youtube.com]"
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 2) by mrcoolbp on Friday June 13 2014, @05:51PM
Eye wint tu eh skuul ezaktli lyke teh Summer Hill Skuul, end eye terned owt fyne!!
In all seriousnes I did attend a school that was very similar to Summer Hill. It's amazing how well it does work, there are of course caveats, but I know many people that attended that are now quite successful. Children gain responsibility when we give it to them, not when they turn 18; and "playing" is just learning.
(Score:1^½, Radical)