MaryJo Gavin

Dr. Wilson-Robins

February 15th, 2016

The Importance of Recess

In any argument there are at least two sides. In the call for quality recess for children,

there will be people opposed. The key is not to say they are wrong, but to show facts, and

answers to their worries and try to help them realize why something so basic as recess is so

important.

In a regular school day teachers have to grade papers, teach lesson after lesson, keep

every student engaged, do whatever the board of education tells them to do, and at some point

find time turn in paperwork to show they are teaching what they are supposed to be teaching.

Teachers need every second possible to teach the enormous amount of material they are required

to teach. This job by itself, is very impressive. So, when a teacher hears that they will lose their

students to not only gym class. but to recess, they can become nervous. This wouldnt be a mere

fifteen minute recess. but thirty or more minutes; and who is to say that every child participates?

On top of it all, there is also a need for teachers to become movement educators and provide a

variety of time throughout their class time to have students get up and be active. Some teachers

worry that students wont be able to calm down after these brief bursts of energy, or worse

completely forget what they were just learning. For a teacher the pure mention of this additional

workload can be a horror show; but no need to fear. There are simple solutions to this crippling

worries.
 Although not all children play vigorously at recess, it does provide the opportunity for

children to be active in the mode of their choosing and to practice movement and motor skills

(AAP, etal, 2013, 5) Just like in a classroom, you can not force a child to learn, what a teacher

does is provide unique and creative opportunities for said child. Basically, recess can be another

chance for a teacher to positively impact a student's life, by giving the student time and space for

them to express themselves when the time comes. According to a Stanford researcher that Parker

contacted a high-quality recess program can help students feel more engaged, safer and positive

about the school day (2015, 1) As teachers, isnt that what everyone wants; an environment

where children feel safe, and ultimately refer to school in a more positive light. Just by giving the

children some to time to run and be free, a teacher can do this.

For any teacher who is worried about losing control of their student after recess or the

short bursts of energy through out class, not need to fear. As it turns out optimal cognitive

processing in a child necessitates a period of interruption after a period of concentrated

instruction (AAP, etal, 2013,4) In every class, any teacher will loss their students attention,

even as adults this can happen. Long periods of time when a someone has to focus can develop

an opposite effect. Therefore, a quick intermission would actually re focus most students, these

intermissions are the perfect time for ten jumping jacks, or thirty seconds of running in place;

and if a student knows another intermission is fast approaching in a structured environment, they

should settle down quickly after. The more a student is focused the less class time will be spent

trying to get students refocused, actually increasing teachable class time.

Physical activity is very important in life, no matter what age. The most growth human

beings go through is in their youth. Why would we want to risk a child growing to their
maximum potential by limiting to a child to just one gym class, or one day with recess? People

grow in body and mind. Recess is a complement to, but not a replacement for, physical

education. Physical education is an academic discipline(AAP, etal, 2013, 20) By keeping

physical education and including recess, a teacher can help a child flourish into their bright

future.
 References

Parker, C. B. (2015, February 11). School recess offers benefits to student well-being, Stanford

educator reports. Retrieved February 15, 2016, from

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/february/recess-benefits-school-021115.html

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2013, January). The Crucial Role of Recess in School.

Retrieved February 15, 2016, from

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/1/183.full.pdf html
MaryJo Gavin
PED 105
Professor Wilson-Robins
Reflection
The Importance of Recess
Recess has always been important to kids, its their to to be free and exercise.
Adults on the other hand can forget this how important recess can be. This assignment
taught me about the need for recess. Beyond the basic fact it provide students with free
time, recess provide the child time to for students to creatively express themselves,
making students feel more engaged and safer throughout the school day. In writing this
paper I learned the many reasons that recess is so important.
This paper can be considered professional. It is argumentative in the support of
recess; providing evidence in a formal manner as to why recess should be kept along
with physical education class.
The essay was written to motivate teachers into supporting the necessity of
recess. With the evidence found through research, the implied outcome would manage
to persuade teachers, and other adults, into joining the fight to keep recess in school.
The category of Motivation and Management best explains the purpose of the essay.