Your Child Needs Recess

Taking away recess as a form of punishment is unhealthy, ineffective and not fair to children!  Many parents are concerned with this form of discipline at nearby schools, yet I don’t think they are connecting with each other, so that a change can be made.  My website is devoted to changing our schools.  There are many things I want to change about our schools, including eradicating the “No Child Left Behind Act”.   But, the first thing I want to change is the use of denying recess as a form of punishment.  Recess is not a privilege, but a necessary part of a child’s day.  Recess has been part of a child’s day since the opening of the first schoolhouse on American soil in 1853.

Taking away recess as a form of punishment is an unhealthy consequence for a child.  Childhood obesity is skyrocketing.  Have you looked at our youth today?  A recent study says 33% of American children are obese.  That doesn’t mean chubby, obesity is defined as “very fat”, isn’t that terrible?  Well, children need many things like a healthy diet, of course, but they also need a break during their school day to burn extra calories.  Some may say, well they play when they get home, but studies show time missed out on recess does not get made up when a child gets home.  Missing recess also causes stress for a child.  Does anybody really think not getting a break would make a child MORE productive?  Think again, all research supports, giving MORE breaks, increases productivity and raises test scores.  We better all believe, the children chosen to miss recess are most likely the ones who need it most.

The most important point to make regarding taking recess away as a form of punishment is the fact that it doesn’t work. “Experimental studies and anecdotal evidence indicate that the same children tend to miss all or part of recess every day. Translation: The threat of missing recess is an ineffective tool in the toolbox.” (Rae Pica, The Pica Perspective) Visit Rae’s website for vital information on this subject.  I consider her a pioneer for child/school advocacy.  She is amazing! 

Recess is actually where a child learns socialization skills and conflict resolution skills.  These skills are not learned sitting at a desk, unable to get up, move, sit by friends, or to speak to anybody without permission.  These actual life skills are learned by children when they play. 

Lastly, taking away recess is not fair to a child.  As adults, would we be willing to give up our break as a form of punishment for talking a little to loud at work or forgetting a paper at home?  These are not serious offenders who miss recess.  The “serious offenders” receive detention, or suspension (another problem in our school system).  No, the reasons I have experienced and that I am starting to hear from other parents for their children missing recess are, for things such as a parent not signing a notebook, (does the school realize some children don’t even see their parents in the evening for numerous reasons I won’t list here), no homework, talking or not walking properly in line…The list goes on and on.  Indeed, my kindergartner’s CLASS was missing part of recess for talking… These children were in daycare just a few months earlier.  My son got in trouble for skipping.  It’s perfectly natural for a kindergartner to skip.  It’s healthy, natural and normal, age appropriate behavior.  

As you can see, I personally disagree with taking away recess as a form of punishment, and experts agree.  Here is what one parent said, on “The Pica Perspective”:  “I just interviewed Warlene Gary, CEO of the National PTA this morning; and she stated in no uncertain terms that withholding recess as punishment is not an acceptable practice! She also mentioned that it's contrary to a school's wellness policy.”  Taking away recess is detrimental to our childrens well being.  There is so much more to say about the subject.  I will have more on my blog at www.jordansadvocate.com.  If you live in the area and have had difficulty with this at your child’s school, you can contact me at my website.  This is my journey to change our schools.