Playground duty is an anomaly for educators that just doesn’t extend into the business world. Morning tea and lunch are usually the times that workers use to take some time out, catch their breath and relax. Not so for teachers! Playground duty can often be more exhausting than being in the classroom. Most teachers dread the days they have a playground duty because the day feels like it’s racing by and there’s no time for a quiet moment to yourself. So here are 8 tips for embracing and making the most of playground duty.
- Prepare: Have your morning tea or lunch on your desk so it’s quick to collect. Finish your lesson a few minutes before the bell so your students already have their hat and food ready to go. This alleviates the feeling of stress and anxiety having to rush to a duty when the bell goes. It also allows you to get to your duty on time and maybe even swing past the bathroom on the way!
- Observe: Before the duty roster is set, request to be on duties for the age group of your class so you can observe your students. Being on duty is a wonderful opportunity to observe your students socially on the playground. It will give you insight into the friendship dynamics and those who are struggling to connect. It allows you to pre-empt social issues and put in place proactive strategies before matters arise.
- Connect: For some students, the playground is an incredibly daunting and lonely experience. It is noisy, chaotic, overwhelming and it can be hard to connect into a game. Some students enjoy time on their own at morning tea and lunch, they use the time for imaginative play or time to have a quiet moment. But there are others who would love to connect but don’t know how. Look out for these students and strike up a conversation. Ask them about their family, what happened on the weekend and their favourite hobbies. Then ask if they’d like to play with some other students. Coach them in what to say and then support them as they approach a game and ask if they can join in.
- Vitamin D: Put a hat on and enjoy time in the sun to soak up some vitamin D. The sun’s UV rays are the best natural source of vitamin D. Vitamin D impacts calcium levels in the blood that are vital for strong muscles, bones and overall health.
- Exercise: Use playground duty as an opportunity to get your step count up and clock some incidental exercise. Be active on duty and walk the length and perimeter of your designated area. Breath in the fresh air and embrace the opportunity to be outside and moving around.
- Cover Duties: This may sound contradictory, but covering a colleague’s duty can give you a real buzz. When you take on a duty that isn’t allocated to you, it generates a sense of purpose, value and camaraderie. According to psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, when you commit acts of kindness it can have a positive impact on your own self-perception. Acting kindly can also alleviate distress, guilt or frustration with others. If you are proactively helping others, they are more likely to appreciate you. They may express gratitude towards you which satisfies the human desire to connect with others and feel valued in relationships.
- Smile: If you have a before or after school duty, this is an excellent opportunity to build positive rapport with the school community. Focus on smiling at parents and students as they enter or leave the school and say hello or goodbye as they pass you by. It is incredibly beneficial to be perceived by the school community as the positive, warm and kind teacher. Furthermore, smiling also impacts your emotions positively. When you smile, your heart rate is elevated and the zygomatic muscles flex which boosts your sense of happiness and confidence.
- Reflect: Use playground duty as an opportunity to have a mindful moment. Look around you and consider all the blessings from the day. Expressing gratitude counteracts negative emotions. Those who express gratitude are relatively happier, more energetic and hopeful. They are also more empathetic, helpful, forgiving and less materialistic.
Question for you: What can you do to re-shape your attitude towards playground duty?
