Recess

[Anonymous]

Don't kids get recess anymore. My kindergartner told me that they only got 10 minutes of free play outside today and spent most of the day sitting inside. I hope this isn't typical.

[Anonymous]

It varies by school, but I would think they would get more. I do remember that my Kindergartner didn't get the facts exactly right, though! One thing, on the first day, things don't run smoothly, and each grade is usually assigned a time to be outside, otherwise all the grades would be outside at the same time, so if the teacher was running behind on things, the class might have missed some of their assigned time. Give it a few weeks to shake out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It varies by school, but I would think they would get more. I do remember that my Kindergartner didn't get the facts exactly right, though! One thing, on the first day, things don't run smoothly, and each grade is usually assigned a time to be outside, otherwise all the grades would be outside at the same time, so if the teacher was running behind on things, the class might have missed some of their assigned time. Give it a few weeks to shake out.

Good advice. I will try not to get too worried about the first day. I just feel bad that a 5 year old coming from preschool that they get so little play time and time outdoors.

[Anonymous]

I think VA state law mandates 30 minutes of recess per day. I agree about waiting a couple of weeks for routines to be established, etc.

[Anonymous]

Also, as a Kindergarten teacher, i would caution you to not rely on your child’s sense of time here. Do they tell time or have a watch? Time can be very fluid when you are excited about something!

[Anonymous]

Actually good point. My child is still learning time concepts. Thank you.