Parents Needed to Make Recess a Reality

Here is what I can do:

I can give you the studies that show that recess is critical to a child's brain development.

I can show you that there is a large disparity in Rhode Island between children who get bare minimum recess and those who don't.

I can provide you with alternatives for teachers besides taking away recess as punishment.

I can show you the research that recess increases scores on standardized tests and increases brain activity and cognitive functioning.

I can show you the research that says that children from poor neighborhoods, non-white children, and children with ADHD and other learning differences are the ones who are most likely to have recess taken away.

I can show you what the Council on Elementary and Secondary education said on setting a bare minimum standard for recess. (Hint: they said they won't.)

I can show you the videos of the impassioned arguments elected officials made on the house floor in support of recess and the arguments of those against the proposed legislation.

But here's the reality: None of that matters without many voices of parents.

Because here is what I can't do: I can't tell your stories the way that you can. I can't explain to your elected official why you want this legislation to go through. I can't compete with special interest groups and the conversations they might have behind closed doors. (Don't think that's happening? Think again.) I can't make your elected officials do the work of the people. The only ones who can do that are the people themselves. The only ones who can make elected officials listen are the people themselves.

Parents have an incredible opportunity today. Now. This week. This month. Before June. An opportunity to make sure that all children are getting necessary free play recess in our state. We need more parents to explain to our elected officials that we expect and demand and insist that they find a way to provide a bare minimum standard for for recess for every child in this state. Without your voices, the RI Senate won't act.

As with every change, there will be administrative hurdles. As with every change, there will be growing pains as people learn new ways of doing things. However, there are abundant resources available right here in Rhode Island to aid in this process.

Parents cannot sit by and wait to see what happens. We have to act and we have to act now.

Please call and write your Senator. Find out who that person is and call & send an email to them. Call and write to the Senate Education Committee and the Senate President. Sign this petition, but don't let that be the only thing you do. If you already have done all of this, ask three others to do it too.

There is a real chance that the legislation that will ensure this bare minimum standard for recess will not go through because of administrative hurdles. A real chance that kids will have to suffer the consequences of parents not insisting on a bare minimum standard for free play.

The only ones who can make sure this happens right now is the RI Senate. The only way parents can be heard is to speak directly to them on the issue. Find the time for this now.