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What do you think about teachers taking away recess from students as a punishment or consequence?
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Anonymous
| My neighbor's son goes to K at our local public school and she said he has recess taken away from him as a punishment a few days per week. He is made to sit out the whole recess on the bench outside. When I asked her what he does to have this as a punishment, she says it is usually talking in line while lining up in the classroom or in the halls (he does love to talk) or for not paying attention sometimes. My son isn't in school yet but this makes me wonder if this is a typical consequence for rule breaking at other schools too? My neighbor says they only get 20 mins of recess per day and he often isn't allowed to participate. |
Anonymous
| It is completely counterproductive, I know a few kids with IEPs for ADD which specifically state that recess cannot be taken away. Kids need to run and play, it helps them be more alert and in control of themselves later. If it was effective, it wouldn't be a few times per week. I think she should meet with the school counselor. With 20 min of recess am I correct in guessing that you are in MD? My kids in NW DC get 60 min. |
Anonymous
| Yes, I am the OP and we live in MD. I also told her that it seemed like the consequence of losing recess wasn't doing what it was intended- to correct these behavioral infractions. |
Anonymous
| I get so indignant when I hear things like this. Kids need breaks. I completely agree it is counterproductive. I would speak to the teacher and if that doesn't work go above her/his head. There are countless articles to back up the fact that kids need recess and that should not be taken away (unless perhaps a child is aggressive during recess). I could go on and on about this one, but I will get off my soap box for now. |
Anonymous
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It doesn't achieve what the teachers want to achieve.
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Anonymous
| I'm a DCPS teacher and I don't approve of taking away recess. It's cruel and unusual punishment to deprive children of fresh air, physical exercise, and unstructured play. |
Anonymous
| As a former recess assistant, we have had children sit on the bench for a 5 minutes cooling off. Seems like an eternity to the kids but it is a very brief time in the scheme of things. I do not believe in taking away recess for children. |
Anonymous
| I think it's counterproductive to take away recess as punishment. |
Anonymous
|
I know at my child's school children stay in from recess if they don't have proper clothing (jacket, mittens) Not sure about behavior.
I would be curious what the teachers here (or parents for that matter) think are appropriate consequences for bad behavior outside or during lunch which seems to be the time recess would be most likely taken away. |
Anonymous
| It compounds the problem for children who need to run around and let out energy. |
Anonymous
| It makes him MORE likely to repeat the inattentive and impulsive behaviors in the afternoon. Basically, the teacher is shooting herself in the foot. |
Anonymous
You WOULD think that but many teachers take it away for fidgeting, acting spacey and being slow to line up, a many things that have NOTHING to do with conduct during recess or proper clothing. Typically it is the kids who most need recess who hardly ever have it. The compliant little girls are unlikely to lose recess, it't the active or inattentive boys. |
Anonymous
| what elementary is this??? |
Anonymous
| God forbid poor behavior is penalized. This sort of self righteous helicopter parenting has to be totally annoying to teachers. |
Anonymous
At our school, the only 2 things we have heard is that a) kid got into a fight and had to go to asst principal's office. (Both kids.) and 2) you didn't finish your homework (usually a longer project) and now you lost your recess time since you have to make it up. Very few kids lose recess to not doing homework! 
Never for talking on line and minor stuff like that. |