- Target:
- Mary Delai and Wilmington Public School System
- Region:
- United States of America
Recess serves as a necessary break from the academic rigors of the classroom.
Wilmington Elementary School in grades k-5 are allowed one recess of 25 minutes out of an six hour day. Recent research has shown that most kids can concentrate for 40 to 50 minutes and do best at the end of that time with a 10 to 15 minute break. ((http://www.today.com/parents/want-kids-listen-more-fidget-less-try-more-recess-school-t65536)) ((http://liinkproject.tcu.edu)) ((http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/02/26/22rhea.h33.html)) ((http://www.phitamerica.org/News_Archive/Quadruple_Recess.html))
We have all read that in Finland the schools break for 15 minutes after an hour and in East Asia it's ten minutes after every 40 to 45 minutes. http://neatoday.org/2016/07/14/bringing-recess-back/. We also know that their Pisa scores are typically higher than US schools.
Furthermore, The American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC and most cognitive research groups call recess “a crucial and necessary component of a child’s development.” Studies show it offers important cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits.
Additional benefits:
-It can help the obesity rate by offering them a time to be free to move their body as they wish and play with their friends as they wish, which gets them moving more.
- It improves concentration and focus
- Lessens anxiety
-improve sense of well being
-promotes executive function and decision making
-more recess has been linked to less bullying
We, the undersigned, respectfully request that Wilmington public schools institute more recess time especially at the elementary level. We are grateful that our children have one recess that is slightly over the minimum recommended time for recess. However, we feel the 25 minutes is the starting point and that we should strive for four 15 minute breaks through out the day as has been done at some of the elementary schools in Texas or at the very least a second recess.
We all know that kids who play are happier and sharper. It teaches children creativity, social skills and makes them better decision makers which is a win-win for everyone involved in the educational process.
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