The Importance of Recess
(http://www.parenting.com/article/why-kids-really-need-recess)
"In the era of test-centric education reform and growing fear of liability, many districts considered recess a waste of potential academic time or too risky." (Louv 1)
Of course I may be a bit biased on the recess subject having been a kid who would count down the precious seconds before that bell rang and allowed us to go outside to get a break from the long day of learning, but I feel that this quote is scary in the sense that many districts consider recess a waste of time. As we all know our brains can only be in 100% focus for so long. After my first semester of college I remember telling my parents "I don't know how I ever survived high school." Of course I was saying this because the freedom that college gave me allowed me to have breaks in between my classes giving me plenty of time to rest my mind between classes. The idea that four classes are considered full time and that you only attend them twice a week is easy compared to high school where you have seven classes five days a week. Now what was a huge factor that made elementary school easier than middle and high school? RECESS! Having breaks is beneficial to a student in almost every way. Although it takes students away from the classrooms recess allows ones mind to rest making it easier to learn.
"Some states now allow students to earn P.E. credits online." (Louv 2)
Online physical education!? Can someone please explain to me how this works!? Having moved to a collegiate high school from a traditional one I noticed that the students at my new school were forced to take online "Hope" courses which would count as physical education. Needless to say the average weight at my collegiate high school was much higher than the other traditional high schools I had attended that required a P.E. course. Physical activity is extremely important to ones well being and should be a required (in person, not online) course at all middle and high schools
(https://www.google.com/search?q=online+classes+photos&rlz=1C1RNVG)
"Nearly 8 million children in the U.S. suffer from mental disorders, and ADHD is one of the more prevalent ones." (Louv 2)
Having a little brother with ADHD I understand what it takes to keep him happy and comfortable. Sitting in a classroom all day with no break does not fit that criteria. If he sits in one place for too long he loses focus and can't absorb anything he is told. When he doesn't see a break/reward in sight he does't put effort in because he doesn't see the point. This is common among MANY children dealing with ADHD and taking away recess only makes this worse.
(https://www.google.com/search?q=children+playing+outside&rlz=1C1RNVG)
(https://www.google.com/search?q=stressed+children&sa=X&rlz=1C1RNVG)
Kids have a lot of energy! It is as simple as that. Children don't only want to but need to move because their bodies are still developing. When you take this away from a kid and put them in a classroom environment without giving them time to enjoy the outdoors they go on autopilot and they don't absorb as much from a lesson. When they are given a break half way through the day to eat and socialize it allows them to get a break and sharpen their mind for the last half of the day. Now this, in the long run, is extremely beneficial to a child's education.
