User:Mjboutwell

Recess in Elementary Schools Today

In many elementary schools in the United States are making adjustments to instructional time. They have determined that they need more of it, so they are taking recess minutes from the students. They feel like the time is in excess of Physical Education and is not needed. Many parents and researchers disagree. Recess is one of the only times during a child’s day that they may run about and relax. This time is their only time to interact socially with other students and burn bottled up energy. Researchers have commented that play is an active form of learning and it is needed. Not to mention that extended periods of inactivity are not developmentally appropriate for the students. These statements are opinions, however are also supported by research. Children have shorter attention spans than adults but they are expected to sit in class for hours on end without a break. Even adults take breaks from their working day. I feel that recess is a vital time of the day for children. It allows them to run off their bottled up energy and if we deny them that right, we will see more discipline problems around not paying attention in the classroom.