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Keeping Recess in Schools
Issues and challenges of physical education
The effects of recess in school
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Recommended: Keeping Recess in Schools
Imagine life as a child growing up and having to experience school without recess breaks. Since 1970, recess and physical education in America has dramatically decreased. Twenty two percent of schools have decreased recess and physical education time within the past six years in order to cram in more recess time. However recess and PE is not only decreasing in the elementary schools but is almost nonexistent in grades 7-12. As 7-12 graders do not get breaks throughout the day a student’s schedule begins to be extremely stressful and not healthy on the mind. In fact with only 4 states across the U.S. that require mandatory recess, it is a valuable reason why obesity in America has increased. Less than half of America’s youth meet the daily
This solution provides students with a short time to get their mind off of school and get some exercise. Also short breaks help decrease stress levels and help increase test scores. All of this is happening whale the student gets to relax for a short period of time and get their mind off of school (Dairygood.org). However, this solution has many issues and would not completely solve the issue of not enough child exercise. Short breaks do not provide long enough periods of time where students can participate in physical games. Also breaks at the end of every hour would constantly disrupt the learning process and often force the teacher to rush threw a lesson in order to get it done before the break at the end of the hour. If the only physical activity kids have during the school day was in five minute increments by the time one started it would almost be time to end. Lastly, five minute breaks would take too much time away from the school day and would not provide the student with a P.E. class. In conclusion, five minute breaks at the end of the hour would be a good solvent to the issue, but would not be the classes as well. With this solution students from kindergarten threw twelve grade are ensured with time to take their mind off of school and for time to ensure that they receive the physical activity that the body needs. With this solution kids have plenty of time to play the recess games that get them active and their mind engaged throughout the day. Also with the recommended amount of activity being 60 minutes a day giving recess and P.E. time for students will get them to stay in shape and decrease the issue of adolescent obesity in America. By students participating in Physical Education classes it provides students with a background and knowledge of sports. “My life wouldn’t be where it is today without that PE class. PE in schools is as important as the other subjects. PE needs to be considered a real class. Without it, we are doing a disservice to our children. I’d like to see physical education as a much bigger priority in schools.” –Hershel Walker. When schools do not give students the opportunity to participate in P.E. it is taking away the chance of making sports an opportunity in their life. So in conclusion, the best way to fix the issue of adolescence not receiving enough exercise and physical activity each day is to provide all students with a specific time for recess/breaks each
With an increasing demand for higher standardized testing scores, schools are finding themselves in a tough position. The huge question being asked is how do we create more time for students to learn common core. The simple answer is, we don’t! Incorporating more time for recess is the key to success for students everywhere. Many researchers and educators alike agree that participating in recess increases students’ cognitive, academic, and social skills. The amount of time allotted for recess should be increased for students of all ages. A child’s well-being encompasses more than just academia. Children spend almost eight hours a day at school, sometimes more. The school system and
Children can burn off bottled up energy at recess that they have accumulated while sitting through their teacher’s lessons. Lahey mentions that “studies have found that students who enjoy the benefit of recess are more attentive once they return to class”. This is helpful because the child will be focused on what they are learning instead of fidgeting in their chair. Also, providing breaks to students while they are learning can result in longer attention spans. Recess is a break that recharges the brain and allows elementary students to control their desire to adventure. Young children are easily distracted, so recess regulates this by providing them with their own free time. Students become more self-contained after they return from recess due to their tiredness. This is useful in class because children will be less hyperactive. The absence of recess would not permit students to learn self-control
Council on School Health (2012). The Crucial Role of Recess in School. Pediatrics, 131, 182-189. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-2993
In her Huffington Post blog article titled Here’s One Way to Wreck a Child’s Education: Take Away Recess, Haley Krischer takes an emboldened stand against the practice of eliminating recess; which is often done as a punishment or to make more time for instructional learning. I stand in agreement with Krischer. I do not agree with schools taking away recess for any reason with the exception of dangerous weather or environmental circumstances. Yet, research indicates how common the 86-ing of recess is occurring in schools. A study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2010) revealed 77% of school Principals reported taking away recess as a punishment, and 81.5% of schools allow students to be excluded from recess. Krischer begins the article by introducing her 9 year old son and his affinity for recess: “the only subject he will talk about”. She gives examples of how recess benefits her son such as other students who help him troubleshoot technology issues and challenging him to improve his sports skills. Indeed, the unstructured playtime allows children to explore their environment and develop new ideas and understandings of it and those within it (American Pediatric Association, 2013). Kischer also expressed that children need active play to combat restlessness and that this is especially important for children who may suffer from ADHD, noting that taking away recess as a punishment for misbehavior may be counterproductive and result in increased behavioral problems. A longitudinal study that followed over 10,000 students between the ages of 8 and 9 concluded that student recess of at least 15 minutes resulted in better behavior as rated by teachers (Samuels, 2009).
Physical activity helps boost cognitive abilities in children. Recess generally involves a lot of running, playing, and games involving exercise. In fact, recent research has found a direct correlation between intelligence and physical fitness, especially in children under 16 years old and elderly persons (Pica 64). In a study conducted by F. L. Martens, academic scores, attitudes, and fitness were improved when a third of the school day was dedicated to recess. Another study study found that at least five hours of physical activity resulted in substantially higher academic achievement in the core subjects (Pica 63).
Movement and physical exercise is key to a child’s life, especially in developing necessary skills to function throughout their whole life. Recess can be a time where children are able to explore how their bodies can function. Student’s can learn and apply skills like bouncing, throwing, catching, running, skipping, and the list may keep going on. Research has even shown that children who are more physically active in school are more likely to be physically active at home. Children who don’t have the opportunity to be active during the school day don’t usually compensate during after-school hours.
Schools all over the country are considering, if not already applying, the removal of recess for elementary school students. Having recess has scientifically proven to play a substantial part in the social development of a child, their physical health, and the amount of attention they pay in the classroom. For example the Tennessee Board of Education says, "It is the position of the NASPE that all elementary school children should be provided with at least one daily period of recess of at least 20 minutes on length" (National Association for Sports and Physical Education). Keeping recess in schools could help lower the childhood obesity rate, help children to be more attentive in class, and assist in the development of their much needed social skills. These aspects are essential to academic healthiness and to your child succeeding academically. Removing recess could cause a dramatic decline in the graduation rate in the U.S.
Fewer and fewer children are playing outside regularly, choosing instead to be inside on the computer, in front of the television, and playing video games. Many children do not get enough physical activity in their daily routine. Many schools physical education programs cut back on the time actually spent doing vigorous activities. "One study showed that gym classes offered third-graders just twenty-five minutes of vigorous activity each week" ("Overweight and obesity,"2009). Guidelines show that children over two years old should at least get sixty minutes of vigorous activity a day ("Overweight and obesity,"2009). The average family is busier today than ever, which causes parents to rush meals and not take the time to plan nutritious hom...
The value of physical education P.E. teachers bring to schools and their students. P.E. has an effect on everyday life. With this in mind I feel P.E. is highly valuable. Physical education activities have development in mind. Children can participate in a variety of activities and are encouraged to achieve overall wellness by continuously staying active.
The amount of physical activity students receive during school hours has started to present itself as a major issue. This problem has become major because kids need physical activity, not only to stay healthy but it helps them stay focused in school and benefits them in many other ways. It is essential, for the good of Vianney, that the amount of physical activity we receive during school hours is increased. Physical activity gives students a way to get rid of all of our unused energy and help us stay focused in the classroom. In order to improve learning and class management Vianney needs to open the gym during encore.
Opponents of physical education in schools state that gym is not the best way to utilize students’ time. Students’ should be given the choice to participate in gym class or not because many students aren’t as athletic and don’t enjoy it enough to want to do it in school. Despite this downfall, PE is important in students’ life and even though some don’t enjoy it as much, they need it in order to be successful in life. If not, diseases and health risks could come up and it wouldn’t be robust. Ultimately, physical education provides superior benefits.
The modernized world has changed people’s perception on how they look at break time or playtime. Many people fail to give importance on break time or playtime in primary school. Thus, the duration given for playtime in primary school level has eventually reduced down the years. The NF (2014) states that ‘school breaktimes are getting shorter despite pupils and teachers recognizing them as an important opportunity for physical exercise and socializing’. Rochman (2012) mentioned that ‘playtime can be as important as class time for helping students perform their best’. If studying is claimed to be important and is the main focus at primary school level, playtime is equally important too as playtime is the duration where children gets the opportunity to develop various skills.
In conclusion, the time students spend in a physical education class should not be reduced or eliminated altogether. As I have discussed, the physical education course is just as necessary as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Everyone deserves a chance to live a healthy and long life and education is the key to this success.
Some may say that adding a twenty minute rest period is illogical because schools would have to extend their days; students would be going to schools longer, so what’s the point? Well, studies show that on average school hours are from 6.22 and 7.17 hours. The average number of hours that schools are open is 6.93 (Education). In reality a twenty minute rest time is very reasonable with the average number of hours of school in America being so low, schools should use some of those extra hours in favor of the student 's well being. For example, adding a twenty minute rest time for kids to take a break, relax, and sleep to refuel before going to their next class; this is a better solution than loading students with homework on top of sleep deprivation and stress. “I agree with your theory, however, I do
“Physical education plays a critical role in educating the whole student. Research supports the importance of movement in educating both mind and body. Physical education contributes directly to development of physical competence and fitness. It also helps students to make informed choices and understand the value of leading a physically active lifestyle. The benefits of physical education can affect both academic learning and physical activity patterns of students. The healthy, physically active student is more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. … Throughout the school years, quality physical education can promote social, cooperative and problem solving competencies. Quality physical education programs in our