Is Eliminating School Recess Child Abuse?

The elimination or shortening of recess is a recurring theme in public schools today. Schools need to raise standardized testing scores and look for more opportunities for teaching time. Schools also need to prove to their boards of education that they have changed routines and methods in an effort to improve learning. Cutting recess is a way to meet all of these needs; yet in doing so, students' needs are not met.

This is problematic for numerous reasons, as anyone who has been around energetic children knows. Children need free time to stretch, to exert energy. Additionally, students form life-long habits in elementary schools, which is why pediatricians and educators stress that parents read to young children and develop healthy habits like wearing seat belts and eating fruit. A poor habit for children to learn at school is to sit sedentary for hours with no life balance. Working against the movement that replaces recess with extra study time is the International Play Association (IPA), which aims to teach children that play and exercise is a healthy lifestyle choice. The purpose of IPA (USA affiliate) is to protect, preserve, and promote play as a fundamental right for all humans. IPA has three defining points.

1. Play makes possible maximum development of self and society by facilitating creativity, individuality and, social, physical and intellectual growth. Humans learn from interaction, and that interaction cannot only take place in a classroom. All parts of a child should grow, in a variety of ways. This includes free play, running and interacting with peers in a nonstructural environment.

2. Play encompasses experiences that provide enjoyment and emotional fulfillment that will ultimately lead to productive and contributing members of society. When people (no matter their ages) are happy, they perform at their jobs better. Students need a variety of needs met.

3. Specific interests include environments for play emphasizing universal access, leisure time facilities, programs that develop the whole child, play leadership training, toys and play materials. Educators can expand the idea of recess as kids running around a field or concrete slab. Play time does not need to be overly organized or managed, but students need a variety of activities.

Only until schools allow students the same downtime that the government mandates adults receive at jobs will they learn at school better. After all as an employee, I can only imagine working an eight-hour job and getting two restroom/drink breaks and one lunch period. Some days I need the rest for my eyes and the conversation with a peer. During training days I especially need a break to digest the content and to keep my sanity. I focus better when I return from a coffee break. I imagine elementary students are the same.

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