Remember when your parents’ friends peppered you with questions about school and you’d just had enough? When they asked what your favorite subject was, you finally shot them the smart-aleck answer, “recess.” Turn to 2008, and the No Child Left Untested Behind Act has slowly gotten its hooks into every kid’s favorite time of the school day. Recess is disappearing, but a set of New Jersey parents are fighting back.
Residents of Howell, N.J., have convinced the state’s assembly to put together a task force that will study whether a law is in order to protect a twenty-minute recess period in the school day. Their research shows only eight states have a mandate that kids get a free period at some point during the day; although New Jersey’s education department says it’s more common for schools to have recess than not - even without the mandate.
In light of Sunny’s post earlier this week about educators worried that the loss of playtime for kids is stealing their imaginations (and with it their ability to create and be innovative), shouldn’t states be more willing to make recess mandatory? ’ve heard arguments from teachers that there just isn’t enough time in the day for teaching, and they’d know better than I. But there is a point where kids brains become saturated, and they need a little time to relax. Lunchtime, with the regimented march to the cafeteria, the line-up to pay for hot lunch and the monitor watching their every bite and chew, doesn’t give a kid time to shake their sillies out. Some kids come back from recess rambunctious, but I’d bet it’s nothing compared to the sheer energy level zipping around their little bodies BEFORE the recess bell rings.
And what of the playground politics? The rites of passage? Even the bullying and cliques that - as parents - we’d like to see disappear are learning tools for our kids on their path to adulthood. I applaud the parents of Howell and the Trenton legislators for agreeing to take a look-see at protecting Red Rover, Red Rover and hopscotch.
Maybe they can all get together to celebrate with a game of kickball.
Image: Amazon
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