There is power in play..

Good day,

I wanted to give you information to think about.  There is power in play.

The elimination of recess within public schools across the country to provide more time for instruction and to raise test scores have more drawbacks than benefits. Students need an opportunity to break from the constant instruction during the day.                

           Play develops a child’s social skills, their ability to take turns, problem solve, self regulate, build self confidence, and develop their creativity. With the absence of recess several challenges take place, obesity. When children have recess they can focus because they are not as fidgety; their cognitive skills are being developed, their memory skills; their brain cells are also able to regenerate “take a mental break” (“Recess…”, 2009).

    There are a few benefits in the elimination of recess. The amount of playground injuries has decreased. Removal of recess also decreases conflict amongst the students.

    After reading this article I realize there is a major disparity, according to the research 39% of African American students vs 15% of White students no longer received recess across the nation. In fact according to the United Nations

“We believe that recess is a right,not a privilege. Article 31 of the U.N.Convention on the Rights of the Child(www.unicef.org/crc) recognizes.The right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recre-ational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts” (“Recess…”, 2009).

The next time you say your child is playing too much take a step back and remember there is power in play, there are more benefits than drawback.

If you would like to view the full article post a comment or send an email SabreeEducationServices@gmail.com.

Reference

Recess-- it’s indispensable! (2009). Young Children, 64(5), 66-69.