Why have schools cut recess?

Schools report that recess has been cut back to reallocate time for academic learning. In addition, withholding recess is commonly used as a punishment or tool to drive desired behavioral outcomes.

Why schools should get rid of recess?

In addition to the idea that eliminating recess can provide additional time that teachers can use to improve students' academic performance, some schools have eliminated recess for liability reasons. They are concerned about the injuries and lawsuits that can arise from outdoor play.

Why do teachers take away recess?

A recent Gallup poll indicated that 77% of principals shared that their schools take away children's recess for punishment. From late homework to inappropriate behavior, recess is often seen less as a valued part of a child's learning and more like a bargaining chip to hold over students' heads.

What are the negative effects of recess?

On the contrary, recess time can also be a breeding ground for bullying, name-calling, and aggressive behaviours, which can have detrimental effects on our youth. It is crucial that we recognize the true realities, such as bullying, that take place on our school grounds each day.

Are kids happier with recess?

Students tend to be more attentive and better able to perform cognitively especially after recess. Fun and physical activities with family and friends in a supportive environment give children the sense that they've achieved something new. They feel happy.

Why have schools cut recess time?

Is recess good or bad for students?

Recess benefits students by: Increasing their level of physical activity. Improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Helping them stay on-task in the classroom.

Should recess be banned?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess is “crucial and necessary” for a child's development and should never be withheld to make room for more academics or as punishment. On top of the health benefits, recess also enhances creative thinking, focus, and social skills like cooperation and sharing.

Is taking away recess as punishment for ADHD?

First, kids with ADHD are the kids who need recess the most. Second, taking recess away as punishment is not effective. If the goal is to have a child with ADHD complete their classwork more efficiently, taking away recess will not motivate them to work more quickly.

Should recess be a punishment?

Recess should not be withheld as punishment

Focus on positive rewards rather than punishment, such as offering extra recess for good behavior.

Is recess a privilege?

It is not a reward. Children should not have to earn recess, and they should not miss recess as a punishment.

Should schools have recess pros and cons?

Recess is necessary for young students and when it is taken away, the students show the major consequences. Recent studies have shown that a break for physical activity during the school day is more beneficial to test scores than not having a time outside the room.

Should recess be longer than 20 minutes?

According to Eric Jensen's book Teaching With the Brain in Mind, "A short recess arouses students and may leave them 'hyper' and less able to concentrate." Children benefit from an extended recess session (approximately an hour in length), because it gives their bodies time to regulate the movement and bring their ...

Why is recess time decreasing?

When recess is eliminated or reduced, it is often because a school is allocating more time to subjects covered on standardized tests, aiming to improve student achievement.

Does recess improve grades?

Proponents of recess say that young students are more focused and are better listeners after they've had time to get rid of their pent-up energy during recess. According to the CDC, the physical activity typically involved in recess improves their attention, memory, and concentration.

Why should recess be 10 minutes longer?

Why should kids have more recess time? Taking a break for physical activity helps students (of all ages) focus, learn, and retain information better. Even if the break is stretching or a short walk, it's helpful. Younger kids definitely need more time for free play and imagination though.

Is school bad for ADHD?

School can present challenges for many children with ADHD. Because ADHD symptoms include difficulty with attention regulation, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can affect planning, organizing, and managing behavior, many children with ADHD struggle with change.

Is it OK to punish a child with ADHD?

Avoid disciplining with anger.

So, it's important to stay calm when you discipline and keep the focus on correcting the behavior. In fact, research shows that cutting back on yelling and harsh punishment can make a big difference in how kids with ADHD behave.

Can kids hide ADHD at school?

Young people may mask ADHD traits they believe bother other people or that their parents had asked them to stop doing. Some ways that young person might be put up an ADHD mask include: Purposefully saying less so that they do not talk too much or interrupt people. Suppressing intense emotions.

Why is recess a right?

Recess, experts say, is more important than some might think. It is often kids' main source of time to play freely and without structure — something that is crucial to kids' development of social skills, creativity and long term mental health.

Should adults have recess?

Recess is not just for kids. If we are to stay focused and energized as we learn new material, we must step away from our screens and talk to other people. The human, in-person interaction is a pivotal yet often overlooked part of our learning process.

Why is silent lunch bad?

Silent lunch effects students in a negative way, by hindering an opportune time to socialize freely with peers and staff; students being made to eat in silence is additionally detrimental to the learning institution.

Why recess is better than PE?

Having a long recess period gives students time to engage in creative play, practice life skills, and regulate physical activity. And PE doesn't count. The CDC says PE does not have the same benefits because the playtime is structured.

Why does middle school start so early?

Districts often stagger start times for elementary, middle, and high schools to allow for multiple busing runs, lessen traffic congestion, and allow caregivers to drop off children at different schools. If high schools are starting later, it likely means that elementary and/or middle schools must start earlier.

How does recess affect grades?

Recess can help students retain more of what they learn, because it helps with memory and can “reset” their brains for the remainder of the day. What does the research show? Recess “represents an essential, planned respite from rigorous cognitive tasks,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.