More recess time for ES children?

[Anonymous]

Saw this news today about a school in Texas which implemented 15min recess 4x/day for K and 1st graders and saw great improvement on kids' behavior - less fidgety and more focused.

What do you think?

http://www.today.com/parents/want-kids-listen-more-fidget-less-try-more-recess-school-t65536

[Anonymous]

My kindergsrtener told me over the winter break that he didn't like kindergarten as much as preschool because there wasn't enough playtime. He and I would be very happy to have more recess every day.

[Anonymous]

Former first grade teacher here:

I taught back in the day when teachers could adjust recess--when principals trusted teachers to do what was right for the kids. The first grade team had a joint recess mid morning. I don't ever recall it being less than 20 minutes--unless it was super cold. We seldom skipped for bad weather--unless it was rain. If it were a gorgeous day--especially after a series of bad days--we tended to keep them out a little longer. The kids also went outside when they finished their lunch. The length of time depended on the child.

Occasionally, if the kids were really restless, I would take them out for ten or fifteen minutes later in the day--or we would take a music/activity break where we would exercise in the class.

And, yes, it did help the atmosphere in the class. It let the kids let off some steam. It helped the teachers, too!

[Anonymous]

I think that's wonderful. We used to have two recesses a day--morning and after lunch--plus P.E. Kids need to move. Asking them to sit still for so long is a recipe for misbehavior.

[Anonymous]

There should be more breaks - and outside time, primarily. It does have benefits. For adults, too.

[Anonymous]

I think that the recess and break time is critical for little boys. They need to blow off steam in order to stay focused and concentrate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that the recess and break time is critical for little boys. They need to blow off steam in order to stay focused and concentrate.

It's critical for my little girls, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that the recess and break time is critical for little boys. They need to blow off steam in order to stay focused and concentrate.

It's critical for my little girls, too.

Thank you. ALL kids need plenty of time to be physically active.

I would love more recess.

When I hear that my kid's teacher let instructional time run into recess time *again,* I want to e-mail her and say "We're opting out of standardized tests anyway, so could you please send everyone outside."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergsrtener told me over the winter break that he didn't like kindergarten as much as preschool because there wasn't enough playtime. He and I would be very happy to have more recess every day.

Sounds like he is not mature enough. Consider sending him to preschool again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kindergsrtener told me over the winter break that he didn't like kindergarten as much as preschool because there wasn't enough playtime. He and I would be very happy to have more recess every day.

Sounds like he is not mature enough. Consider sending him to preschool again.

NP here. OR 5 yo kids actually need time to move and play. Geez.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kindergsrtener told me over the winter break that he didn't like kindergarten as much as preschool because there wasn't enough playtime. He and I would be very happy to have more recess every day.

Sounds like he is not mature enough. Consider sending him to preschool again.

5 in kindergarten, 6 in preschool, 7 in kindergarten the second time, 8 in first grade...

No, I don't think I'll consider that.