Lost Opportunity

A principal in an elementary school in McLean, VA has banned the game of tag during recess citing that the children have become intensely aggressive.

Isn't that the first course of action that is so often taken? Remove the thing that is causing a problem. Why isn't the first course of action to consider how to create change and make a teaching moment out of it? It seems to me that this principal is missing the perfect opportunity to teach children about appropriate social play and setting specific rules about behavior that is acceptable vs. behavior that is not acceptable. By banning the children from playing tag they are missing a chance to change their behavior and learn. As a result they will probably continue to engage in aggressive behavior...only now they know not to do it on the playground at school. Mom