Recess isn’t just fun and games

Recess isn’t just fun and games

The running, jumping and general chaos during recess is more than just a few minutes of fun for school kids. That unstructured playtime is critical to their academic and social development, says the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). And with school starting again soon, students will be longing for some fresh air and sun.

In a recent statement, the pediatricians said recess “serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated, academic challenges in the classroom.” The doctors warned against cutting recess in favor of more time in the classroom because recess gives kids time to rest, play, imagine and socialize with their friends. That break helps them focus once they get back to their desks.

With the push for higher scores on standardized tests, the trend in schools is to keep students at their desks as much as possible. But the AAP says children are more attentive and think more clearly after the break. Having a time to hang out with students who aren’t in their regular classroom develops social skills as well.

The AAP statement aligns with other studies that show how exercise can improve learning in kids.

The study examined nearly 12,000 students in 47 Nebraska public schools to determine the link between aerobic fitness, body mass index (BMI) and scores on standardized math and reading tests.

Researchers found that aerobically fit children had a 2.4 times greater chance of passing math tests and a 2.2 times greater chance of passing reading tests compared with children who were not aerobically fit.

What may be missed by adults is the fact that kids think the break is a blast! The AAP says that “recess affords young children free activity for the sheer joy of it.”

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Comments

2 Comments

  1. Mariokart better than Chrono Trigger? No. Especially when you take into account that it hasn’t aged very well. Mario games are often overrated just because it’s Mario. Also, Zelda is great but a bit overrated. It’s not the best on the system. Doesn’t deserve to be #1 on so many lists. I think Super Metroid is probably #1.

  2. I played almost all of these games. except the ones with low graphic art like f-zero, mario kart, castlevania, metroid etc. contra had low graphic but very enjoyable with co-op. earthbound, ff should be top5. idk how many times i’ve replayed crono trigger and earthworm jim. others mostly 75%.

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health enews Staff
health enews Staff

health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.