Blog #3- Recess is Important in Schools

          Many school districts are forced to cut programs in their schools because their budgets are being cut. Many times, one of the first things that is cut in elementary schools are recess and physical education. Children need their free time, their recess, their play time. Some people say that children need to be learning at all times while they are at school because there is so much to teach and for the students to learn. Others say that the children work better when they have time to release energy and that they also learn to work with others and work through problems when they have free time and recess. I agree with the second group of people; children need to have time to be outside running around and playing with other children. 

  In my opinion, all elementary schools should be required to have recess time and all middle and high schools should be required to have a physical education class every single day. In the article, “The 3 R’s? A Fourth is Crucial, Too: Recess”, the author points out that research shows that “play and down time may be as important to a child’s academic experience as reading, science and math, and that regular fitness...can influence behavior, concentration and even grades”(Parker-Pope).  If recess is just as important as core classes are, why are member’s of school boards voting to cut it? 

  While some people believe that recess is important in schools, others say that it is wasting time that could be better spent teaching students core subjects. Many “educators cite[multiple] ...reasons, besides academic pressures, to explain why recess is going the way of inkwells...:a fear of lawsuits if children become injured, a concern...of unsavory adults lurking at the edge of playgrounds and a shortage of teachers and volunteers willing to supervise the children”(Johnson). Even with all of these concerns, I feel as though the positives far outweigh the negatives. If every parent was aware of the benefits of daily physical activity in their child’s life, then they would probably would be more willing to volunteer to help watch their children out on the playground. 

  Children should be guaranteed play time while they are going to school. They need the time to release energy, to socialize, and to learn to deal with conflicts on their own. The physical activity is not only good for their physical health, but also for their mental health in the classroom. Recess and physical education should never be cut from schools; it is an important part of daily education for children, from elementary school age to high school students. 

Brown, Stuart. “Let the Children Play (Some More).” The New York Times. The New York    Times, 2 Sep. 2009. Web. 1 Oct. 2010.

Johnson, Dirk. “Many Schools Putting an End to Child’s Play.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 7 Apr. 1998. Web. 30 Sep. 2010. 

Kolata, Gina. “Thinning the Milk Does Not Mean Thinning the Child.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 12 Feb. 2006. Web. 4 Oct. 2010. 

Parker-Pope, Tara. “Do You Overestimate Your Child’s Activity?” The New York Times. The New York Times, 6 Jan. 2010. Web. 13 Sep. 2010. 

Parker-Pope, Tara. “The 3 R’s? A Fourth Is Crucial, Too: Recess.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Feb. 2009. Web. 1 Sep. 2010.