By The Way...

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
1:51:00 PM EDT
Hearing Fighting For My Love -- Nil Lara
Folks around here know the drive to deprive kids of recess during the school day is a particular bugbear of mine. Happily, there seems to be a backlash stirring:

A report released yesterday by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that recess can foster creativity and social skills, arguing that when play is undirected, kids become resourceful in figuring out conflict resolution, negotiation and even leadership -- which might not surface as naturally in an adult-structured atmosphere, when children are more likely to "acquiesce to adult rules and concerns." The report cites academic research and includes advice for pediatricians on how to promote and recommend "free child-centered play."

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 21% to 30% of children in grades one to six get 15 minutes or less of recess a day. Last spring, a survey of 25,000 PTA presidents showed that more than half think their daily recess is at risk because of a need to focus on academics or because of insufficient supervisory staff. The National PTA this year organized a Rescuing Recess campaign, which encourages kids to write letters to local and state school officials to support recess.

Right on, PTA! Way to stick up for the kids. I'm all for kids getting a good education, but I think the insane drive for testing we currently pass off as education is possibly not the best way to educate our kids, and I think not allowing kids some time to blow off steam and just enjoy themselves is a fine way to make them hate their time in school. So, yes, bring on the recess. Hell, even adults get a damn coffee break.


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This entry has 7 comments: (Add your own)

• #7 Comment from rebuketheworld 
  10/13/06 10:32 PM | Permalink

  Teather Ball, hop-skotch...fresh air....endorphines stirred up by the sun...exercise...a time to be social....Friendships are made at recess. You dont get a chance to bond during class......So much research on natural light and how we spend so much time indoors...helping to support the increase in depression and anxiety....Whoever these PTA folks who think they know something, dont. Recess is more than just childs play.
  
  ~Raven
  http://journals.aol.com/rebuketheworld/RandomThoughtsConnected/
• #6 Comment from ravenjuiced 
  10/11/06 1:27 PM | Permalink

  Recess was usually when I got in the most trouble...
  
  Fred
  http://journals.aol.com/ravenjuiced/those-eyes-that-the-cherubim-dre/
• #5 Comment from fisherkristina 
  10/10/06 9:14 PM | Permalink

  Recess and taking a break at school is good for the kids.  
  
  Krissy
  http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
• #4 Comment from visionarydiva1 
  10/10/06 6:08 PM | Permalink

  Here where I live my kids still have recess...they are still hyper as all out doors when they get home but I am sure they love it.
  
  Amy
  http://journals.aol.com/visionarydiva1/AVisionaryDiva/
  http://journals.aol.com/visionarydiva1/ABookClubforJLanders/
• #3 Comment from monponsett 
  10/10/06 3:06 PM | Permalink

  I used to give my students recess, and some of them were almost 21. "Recess" in this case meaning "let them have a smoke."

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