Recess-the Silverlining for Kids

My days of waiting in line for the tire swing and making an obstacle course within the jungle gym is no longer, but to millions of Elementary School kids those times are still the highlight of their school days.

A loving Mom relays the importance recess plays in the eyes of her 9 year old son- “to him it is everything, it his world” (Krischer).  Because recess is so important to young children it seems to be a good punishment for when bad behavior ensues—right? Not so much according to parents and many health officials.

Many school systems have turned to taking away recess as punishment in an attempt to control “those wild kids.”  But, is this really a good form of punishment in a country where childhood obesity is at an all-time high of 18%? 

 Recess for kids is a time to release energy they build up while confined in a classroom.  A time for exercise in a fun and thrilling way.  One school district banned the banning of recess (say that two times fast) for punishments, because they realized the importance it had on growing healthy kids.  The prevention of overweight (affecting 1/3 of the young population) and obese children lies within physical activity—or in kids’ minds', recess.

Recess is not just the answer to more physical activity for kids, but it is an energy outlet helping kids reach their maximum potential in the classroom.  One Mother, a family physician, found her son coming home with disciplinary notes from his teacher.  When she confronted her son about why he was struggling, he told her he couldn't keep his legs still; his 15 minute recess time was not enough for his energy to be released.  If a story like this is true for many kids the punishment of taking away recess would be counterproductive- less exercise would create worse behavior.  As the kids would way: let there be recess!

http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/06/12/schools-ban-recess-kids-health-concerns/10371467/

 

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hayley-krischer/heres-one-way-to-wreck-a-childs-education-take-away-recess_b_4149596.html

http://www.livescience.com/15555-schools-cut-recess-learning-suffers.html