The Schools Ditching the Cotton Wool Approach

Schools are giving students the opportunity to build resilience by adopting the ‘anti-cotton wool’ approach and encouraging kids to get out and play.

Schools across Perth are letting students ride on bikes and scooters, play on trampolines and even climb trees.

There is believed to be many benefits to the approach, resulting in more focus in the classroom, ABC reports.

Schools that encourage physical activity say that the students are happier and healthier, and are able to play more creatively and cooperatively.

With the current ‘obesity epidemic’ and children being captivated by screens, schools are hoping to get children out and about on the playground.

Honeywood Primary School in Perth’s south has implemented weekly ‘Wheels on Wednesday’, where students are allowed to bring scooters, bikes and skates to school.

As long as students follow conditions of wearing a helmet and having signed permission from parents, they’re allowed to ride around the school grounds during recess and lunch.

Principal of the school Maria Cook said that the program was very popular with both parents and the students.

Ms Cook believes that teaching the kids to manage some risk is positive and thinks that ‘cocooning’ them isn’t a good idea.

There are also trampolines at the school that they encourage the students to use, allowing them to do flips and tricks.

The program is teaching students to be active and improves their skills while having fun with their friends.

Is this the answer to beating the obesity crisis? Much better option than weighing and measuring kids!

Share your comments below

13 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 03 Oct 2022
    9:05 am
My kids were allowed to climb trees and one fell out of a tree but only winded herself. They had a trampoline and would be playing on it daily. They would ride their bikes.
none of my kids broke any bones….well until my eldest was in her late teens and after a few too many drinks decided to do a fancy dance move on the dance floor and fell over and broke her wrist…ooppss

- - mom7108 said
  - 17 Nov 2018
    1:31 pm
I found this article interesting and also the comments! I think it is a great idea. So many kids are addicted to screens and don’t want to miss out on TV shows or games. My daughter’s daycare encourages tree climbing and they were 2. No one was hurt, The kids got a whole 10cm off the ground hahaha

- - mom67623 said
  - 14 Sep 2018
    7:06 am
This is great idea for kids to be active and not ‘wrapped in cotton wool’ It gives them freedom to learn new skills including how to look after themselves, like not talking to stranger skills neccesary. I feel lot of children get ill because we try to have things super clean etc they never build up their own antibodies. As a child used to put in my mouth thing dropped on floor,played in mud (grew up in England) and sure I got some in my mouth. So in conclusion am pleased this school lets kids learn to play outside and try new things testing and teaching kids to cope for themselves. Hope other schools follow suit.

- - Blossom said
  - 07 Sep 2018
    11:25 pm
It could be a great idea. It could also be a dangerous one. Think of the children injured by others being careless. A relative of mine nearly lost the sight in one eye during a break and it was purely accidental – it was definitely not a deliberate blow. Is there going to be insurance to cover school injuries like there was many years ago that covered things such as fractured bones??

- - rovermum said
  - 25 Jul 2018
    8:54 am
I don’t think this should be relevant to the obesity crisis, but a great initiative. Most often schools are bursting at the seams and their play spaces are reduced. This is a greater issue – creating enough outdoor play spaces for everyone.

- - mom67623 said
  - 25 Jul 2018
    6:38 am
Excellent idea and with benifits and fun for children. Long ago I was a fat child and was not allowed into dancing cass(because not thin enough) .Shaming a child is not the way to get results and causes isolation and sadness. Therefore congratulations and may other schools follow your great example.These are my grand dogs from no 2 child! Luckily Gareth got ready made family of three when He married his lovely wife. Love andplay with them all..

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 24 Jul 2018
    1:25 pm
That’s a great idea- they should implement this in other schools!

- - Amanda Holland said
  - 24 Jul 2018
    11:56 am
It’s definitely a great start! Well done to the school.

Kids should be allowed to be kids, and get their hands dirty and pay outside
- mom93821 replied
  
  25 Jul 2018 , 7:04 am
  Totally agree – children need to be active and need to move and need to explore.
- - mom93821 said
  - 24 Jul 2018
    7:34 am
A good initiative for sure – children need to play and exercise.

- - mom265671 said
  - 23 Jul 2018
    10:50 pm
Great read

- - mom90758 said
  - 23 Jul 2018
    1:24 pm
I like the idea. Of course if the school takes care that the kids with bikes and scooters take care of the kids without them.

- - mom160421 said
  - 23 Jul 2018
    12:22 pm
Children should be allowed to run around and play, but schools need to take precautions to ensure that where children play is safe, just as you would at home.