Flash forward to today, schools are starting to remove recess from the school day in order to cram in all the required academics. A friend recently mentioned recess being abolished in her local elementary school even for kindergartners. On what planet does it make sense to keep 25-30 five year olds cooped up in a classroom for an entire day?We have, luckily, not encountered such a strict or sweeping removal of free time from the school day at our school. But winter is a continual struggle. If the weather is too cold, muddy or slippery the kids have inside recess (remember that?). What that has meant is every child in that grade level gathering in the common area to watch a video! Recess is supposed to be a release of energy, a break in the "sit down and stay quiet" environment. But with indoor recess the kids are required to do that even more. I just love it when I hear my son has had indoor recess and then is in trouble for talking or not paying attention in the afternoon. The teachers are sure to get an email cced to the principal for that one!
Since I think this is basic common sense, I was not surprised to read a New York Times Article reporting research that supports the need for recess. The research stresses that downtime is as important to success as active learning time. Read the entire article here. It is, of course, comforting to get some academic muscle back up on what I've been saying as an educator and parent for a while now.
How is recess handled with your kids? How does recess time or lack of it impact your child's day?
