Follow AAE on:

Subscribe to RSS Feed:

Shrinking Recess Part 1: Shrinking Recess may Be Damaging Your Kid
posted by: Melissa | August 27, 2019, 01:27 PM   

Today we begin a series of blog posts that explores the benefits of recess and the effects that reducing the amount of time students spend in recess may have. This series is written by Arthur Grant, an advocate for benefits of play. We’ll be posting a new part of the series each week, but if you can’t wait, you can read the entire thing over at Muddy Smiles.

 

The happiest, healthiest kids are the ones who have the chance to cut loose, get active and spend time with friends. Recess is a time when kids relieve stress, build social skills and get physically active through fun playground games, but some schools are drastically reducing recess times or eliminating them outright. The scientifically proven importance of play as a facilitator of healthy child development delivers a crystal clear message: Recess time should not be reduced, and it absolutely should not be eliminated.

 

The literature indicates that kids who have the opportunity to break up the school day with unstructured play feel less stressed out and more self-confident, plus they’re at a reduced risk of childhood obesity and various mental health issues. In both the short and long term, shrinking recess is seriously detrimental to kids.

Science Agrees: School Recess is Vital

 

shrinking-recess-infographic_v2-768x7765

 

This is a multipart series with a new installment released each week. Part two can be read here.

Arthur is a writer, researcher, and father with a keen interest in the science behind play. As chief editor for Muddy Smiles, he advocates for (loads) more unstructured play within education and at home.

Comments (0)Add Comment

Submit a comment
 (not published)
smaller | bigger

security code
Write the displayed characters


busy