“Because the kids are focusing so hard and concentrating so hard on their academic work, it just gives their minds a break and their bodies a break to relax to go expend that extra energy – and come back with a clear head.
”

– Carol Drummond, Ph.D., Psychologist

By mid-day, after several hours of sitting, reading and listening to lessons, the 5th graders in Mrs. Jennifer Foster’s class are ready for a break.

“In the classroom all you do is sit down,” says 11-year-old Kiara Reid. “You never do anything. Just sit down and do your schoolwork.”

“There’s only so much freedom you can allow within a classroom,” says Mrs. Foster. “You can look around – we’re packed in here pretty tight. And being on the playground is totally different. They can run. They certainly can’t scream in here.”

And that’s what recess is for. Shortly after lunch, the class heads outside to run around, yell and play for 20 minutes.

“I think it helps you learn,” says 10-year-old Ade Adeosun. “I think it helps your brain get a good stretch for 20, 25 minutes.”

Seven years ago, 10-percent of schools had no recess. The national PTA now estimates that almost 40-percent have eliminated recess, or are planning to.

“I think it’s a trend that really is not consistent with good child development principals,” says Carol Drummond, Ph.D., a school psychologist.

She says the trend against recess is often blamed on standardized testing.

“I do think there are many more pressures on schools for performance evaluations,” says Dr. Drummond, “and I think that many times eliminating recess is driven by the need to push more academics – to raise the standardized test scores.”

The irony, she says, is working kids non-stop without a recess can lead to burnout – and lower test scores.

In fact, some students like 11-year-old Crystal Le say that, without recess, “I might feel like I don’t want to go to school anymore.”

That’s why the national PTA’s ‘Rescuing Recess’ web site is asking parents to join a letter-writing campaign.

Experts say that’s not the only thing parents should do.

“I would lobby,” says Dr. Drummond, “I would be in the principal’s office, signing petitions, trying to get it re-instated. I think it’s that important.”

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• Studies have shown that kids who have recess have an improved ability to stay on-task, are less fidgety, and better behaved. Breaks are important both during school and outside of school. Parents should let kids be kids. (National PTA – Rescuing Recess web site)
• Children who have difficulty finishing their work or staying on-task are often the kids who need a break the most. But sometimes parents and teachers make the mistake of ‘punishing’ them by not allowing them to go out to play or go out to recess. (Carol Drummond, Ph.D., School Psychologist)
• P.E. if often billed as a replacement for recess. But because the activities are structured, children do not get the same benefits – making up their own games, freely socializing or making friends (Dr. Drummond)

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• National PTA – Rescuing Recess
• National Education Association

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