Recess: more time needed

The argument to designate more time for recess is peaking now, as students prepare for the dreaded testing season.

Going to school in our test-driven culture has changed the thinking about the importance of recess. Although many previously considered recess a simple 15 minute break for students and staff, time away from the rigors of the classroom has become increasingly important.

The amount of time for recess depends on the school, district and state. “Pressure to prepare for upcoming exams” is a lame defense when explaining why kids can’t have more time for unstructured play. This is true, especially since recent research shows that a 15 minute recess isn’t long enough to re-charge the brain.