Title: RECESS
1 RECESS
-
- Recess is a period of free play, usually
conducted outdoors. A key component of recess is
that it is unstructured and undirected.
2Recess vs. Physical Education
Though some people may believe that physical
education often resembles recess, they differ in
many ways. Structured play, as in P.E.,
addresses a childs physical health and
development. It is part of an organized
curriculum where the student receives a grade
like all other subject areas. Participation is
not voluntary and free social time is not part of
the curriculum. Unstructured play, as in recess,
addresses a childs physical health, mental
health, social and cognitive developments. It
has little or no adult direction and children are
allowed to choose their activity, activity
levels, and degree of social interaction. A
childs imagination and creativity plays a vital
role in this type of play, as opposed to
structured play. While recess is an
essential component of the elementary school
program, it is inappropriate to substitute recess
for physical education or physical education for
recess.
3Importance of Recess
- There has been an enormous amount of research
conducted on the important role recess plays in
healthy child development, concluding that recess
is necessary for a childs - Physical Health
- Mental / Emotional Health
- Social Development
- Cognitive Development
- Academic Achievement
4Recess is the right of every child.
- Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on
Childrens Rights states that every child has the
right to leisure time. Taking away recess,
whether as a disciplinary measure or abolishing
it in the name of work, infringes on that right.
5Reduced opportunities for outdoor playtime have
been linked to
- There is no research or theory to suggest that
getting rid of recess is good for student
achievement. - School Difficulties
- Increased Childhood Anxiety
- Disconnection from Nature
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Epidemic of Childhood Obesity
6Play Deprivation
- Several studies over the past decade have
looked at the effects of play deprivation and
found that an absence of play in supportive,
positive context can create adults who are - Violent
- Anti-Social
- Mentally Impaired
- Emotionally Sterile
7- RECESS AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
8Being Physically Fit
- Regular physical activity promotes health in
children just as it does in adults. It is a fact
that physically active children are more likely
to become physically active adults.
9Childhood Obesity Leads To
According to the New England Journal of Medicine,
American life expectancy will decrease 2-5 years
by the year 2040 due to the current childhood
obesity epidemic.
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Colon Cancer
- Depression
10Benefits of Daily Physical Activity
- Weight Control
- Aerobic Endurance
- Muscular Strength
- Motor Coordination
- Enhanced Muscle Growth
- Stimulates the growth of the heart, lungs,
- and other vital organs.
Given the short and long-term health benefits of
physical activity and the fact that children
spend a significant amount of their waking hours
at school, it is imperative that they be given
ample opportunity for physical activity during
school hours.
11 12- In a 1998 study, two 4th grade classes of
25-30 students each were observed for
attentiveness and fidgetiness before and after
recess. The study group included five students
diagnosed with and medicated for attention
deficit disorder (ADD). The results showed that
the majority of students were more attentive and
less fidgety after recess. All of the children
diagnosed with ADD were observed to have
benefited from their recess break. Many experts
believe that free play is a far better treatment
for ADD/ADHD than Ritalin. - Goodbye recess, hello Ritalin
13Childhood Stress Can Lead To
Todays children are faced with more stress than
any generation of children preceding them. They
are experiencing a whole new realm of tight
schedules, and high expectations, which often
demands that they behave, not as children, but as
little adults.
- Health Problems
- Behavior Problems
- Sleeplessness
- Worry
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Exhaustion
14Studies show that prolonged periods of
confinement can lead to
- Fidgeting
- Restlessness
- Inability to Concentrate
Furthermore, studies also show that by offering
recess it can
- Relieve Stress
- Reduce Anxiety
- Improve Attentiveness
- Reduce Fidgeting
- Increase Self-esteem
15- RECESS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
16Recess is the period of time during the school
day that allows children the opportunity to
interact with peers in a way not usually possible
in the typical classroom. During Recess
Children Learn
- Cooperation
- Sharing
- Language
- Conflict Resolution
- Respect for Rules
- Self-Discipline
- Appreciation for Other Peoples Cultures
17- According to a recent study conducted in three
San Antonio, Texas schools, when denied of
opportunities to learn socialization skills and
develop friendships during recess, students
demonstrated insecure behaviors and lack of self
confidence. - An important educational and socialization
experience is lost when children are not allowed
to participate in free play with peers on a
regular basis.
18- RECESS AND ACADEMIC/COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
19Frequent Breaks Can Help Children
Physical activity fuels the brain, making the
brain better able to process a variety of
information, thus leading to improved retention
of facts, a greater understanding of concepts,
and the capacity to master new and remember old
information.
- Stay on Task
- Minimize Disruptive Behavior
- Retain What They Learn
Studies show that providing more time for
physical activity by reducing class time actually
leads to increased concentration and stronger
academic achievement by improving reading,
writing and mathematic test scores.
20The Freedom to Play and Learn Actas cited by
House Bill 366 states
- Numerous national organizations support
school recess as an integral component of a
childs physical, mental, social, and academic
development. The Texas Legislature has shown
their support for recess for elementary school
children by passing Senate Bill 530 (House Bill
366) -
that the local school health advisory council
shall consider and make policy recommendations to
the district concerning the importance of daily
recess for elementary school students. The
council must consider research regarding
unstructured and undirected play, academic and
social development, and the health benefits of
daily recess in making the recommendations. The
council shall ensure that local community values
are reflected in any such policy recommendation
made to the district.
21This school year a huge change was made to the
daily schedule at my own childs school. Recess,
once a staple in the childrens daily routine,
has now been greatly reduced and for some
students, eliminated.
Grades Currently
Previous Years Including all 5 years the
elementary was rated Exemplary by the State of
Texas.
22Why No Recess?
- In my efforts to both understand my
schools current recess policy and to educate my
school on the important role recess plays, I have
met with both the elementary principal and the
school superintendent. They cite two basic
reasons for reducing and eliminating recess - According to the principal I require 60 minutes
of instruction time for the core subjects and
there was no way to find the time without taking
recess and putting it back into instruction. - According to the superintendent Because of a
decline in reading scores for fifth graders and
math scores for fourth graders on last years
TAKS, the students are now allowed only one
earned recess a week. - Despite the overwhelming amount of
research supporting recess impact on a childs
physical health, mental health, social
development, and even academic achievement, the
recess policy has not changed.
23Wellness Policy
- My schools current wellness policy states
- Elementary school will provide daily recess,
preferably outdoors, during which moderate to
vigorous physical activity will be encouraged.
Exceptions may be made by the principal for
circumstances such as shortened days, special
events, and altered schedules. - Note On February 5th, the SHAC clarified their
original intent to state To provide the
principal the opportunity to make temporary
adjustments due to inclement weather, shortened
days, or unforeseen, unplanned events.
24SHAC Challenges
- I took part in presenting research regarding
recess to my local SHAC. After reviewing the
research, the SHAC made a recommendation to the
district to reinstate daily recess. Many
challenges faced during this process include - 1) SHAC Liaison (school
nurse) directs the meetings - 2) Administration sets the
agenda - 3) Parent participation is
below 50 - 4) School Board is not
represented - Though the SHAC fulfilled their duty as cited
by HB366, the superintendent rejected both the
recommendation as well as the clarification in
regards to the wellness policy.
25In Conclusion
- The research overwhelmingly shows that recess
is a necessary component of a childs physical,
mental, social, and academic development. To
ignore the benefits of recess could very well be
detrimental to our childrens health and
well-being. Therefore, recess and its many
benefits should remain a part of our childrens
daily school routine.
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