As a play therapist, I know first-hand that play and physical activity is vital to the overall development of children. It seems as if we are trying to make them into little adults who have to sit still for longer and longer periods of time.

Here is a related website with some interesting insights into this topic:

http://www.wheredidrecessgo.com/

Little boys can’t concentrate without burning off some steam by running around. Of course, no one would allow the wrestling that we did anymore, but they can find something.

Kids definitely need recess. It’s the equivalent of a coffee break for us, with the added benefits of exercise. But … is it really necessary to organize every moment of a kid’s day? When do they get to use their imaginations? Or have we decided those are unnecessary these days in the quest for higher and higher test scores?

Jane Healy, in her book, “Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children’s Minds — And What We Can Do about It,” writes:

“For some time researchers have been examining provocative links between brain functioning and the positive effects of physical activity. Regular exercise increases the blood supply to the brain, thus giving it a greater oxygen and energy supply — for mental abilities. In addition, chemicals secreted by the brain during and after exercise enable it to deal better with stress and anxiety … and help children learn more efficiently by harnessing power for learning and memory. Scientists also suggest that the type of exercise most likely to achieve these positive effects is “unforced,” the type of spontaneous play in which children just naturally engage.”

Recess is absolutely necessary for boys and girls. Everyone needs a break. Unfortunately, Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act leaves administrators with no choice but to cut out or limit programs that do not directly improve test scores. I think it’s time for Bush’s administration to admit that education is not their expertise and leave that up to the schools.

With recess being curtailed so severely, is it any wonder that ADHD is increasing? Sometimes young children need to burn off energy before they are able to focus.I do not consider it wasted time if it makes the lesson work more productive.My homeschooled kids get regular breaks and lots of outdoor time and are able to focus when necessary, if only to earn another break.A book called “Last Child in The Woods” makes a very strong case for unstructured outdoor play.The author,Richard Louv, laments the loss of natural areas and time to explore in nature,and the resulting behavioral problems that seem to increase with each generation. It is sad that so many kids are not being allowed to just be kids because so much of their day is scheduled from dawn until dusk.Even fifteen minutes of chasing a ball or playing tag wherever it hasn’t been banned:( is still better than nothing. Kids can’t possibly spend every minute of the school day learning productively.I doubt even the administrators have that kind of attention span.