How much recess in MoCo Kindergartens?

[Anonymous]

DS becomes eligible for K in our neighborhood MoCo public ES next year. But I keep hearing about Kindergartners getting less and less recess these days. My kid really cannot sit all day without having a break.

I've tried to find a more detailed curriculum on the school site - it is supposed to be the same in all schools, yes? But I've not turned up anything more than annual educational targets per grade level. What is a normal day like? How much recess is there?

TIA

[Anonymous]

In my child's school they have about 30 minutes. It is right after lunch. P.E. once a week in addition. Also, the end of the day (maybe 20-30 minutes?) is free play in the class. You might be surprised at how much your child's ability to sit still changes over the next year and how differently the children are in the classroom than they might be at home or in a preschool class.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I should add, they have a "special" almost every day. Music, art, library, computer, and P.E.

[Anonymous]

I would add that our child's K teacher was very good about integrating frequent movement into the classroom, so it wasn't as if the children had to sit perfectly still for long periods of time.

[Anonymous]

Our MoCo K had recess twice -- once after lunch and once during snack time (30 minute mid-morning break always held outside unless the weather was awful). Call you local school and ask.

[Anonymous]

Check with your school to find out more. While the curriculum may technically be the same from school to school, it's not so regimented that the total number of minutes outside at recess will be the same.

And I've heard parents at some schools complain more about recess being moved inside if the weather is slightly bad, whereas at others they may actually go outside for more of the winter.

Our kindergartners had a short outdoor "break" (which ended up being 15-30 minutes on the playground) as well as 30 minutes of recess later in the day.

[Anonymous]

People told me MoCo gives 60 minutes of recess a day: 30 at lunch and 30 another time. Not true in our school, based on what I've seen this year. It's been 20 minutes a day, after lunch. PE once a week for 30 minutes. I understand the recess times have really shrunk over the past few years. It also seems that individual schools vary in this, and perhaps individual teachers.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the input! I guess I'm a little confused - isn't it supposed to be the same at all MCPS schools? Or is it left up to the individual school/teacher to figure out, so long as the curriculum goals are met?

Thanks. (Can you tell it's my first time around?!)

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP, things vary quite a bit by school--it's not THAT regimented yet, thank goodness! Check in with your local school (and other neighborhood parents)--or post questions about your specific school here!

[Anonymous]

Some thing you can do to find out how it is implemented in your school.
1. go and visit
2. reach out to the PTA to find out more
3. call and ask

Seriously - they are happy to answer any questions you have.

Also - a visit is great as you can see what the classrooms look like and imagine how your son would fit in. (Pick out a child who reminds you of your son in the classroom and watch that child.) It is also important to see how the lower grades are set up. I recently went to a private school open house and the 2nd grade teacher mentioned that they understand it is difficult for children to sit still all day and they encourage children to get up and walk around if they need to.

[Anonymous]

About 30 min. after lunch. Perhaps a short (5-10 min) "fitmess" break in the morning to run around the field or do jumping jacks and the like (read - not fun play time, but a break indeed).

[Anonymous]

I think my child is okay with the once a day recess but the lack of a snack is very hard on him. They eat lunch at 11:25 and he gets of the bus at 4 completely famished.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Thank you all for your insight. We're slated for a tour in December, so we'll see firsthand what its like (I didn't even know they did these for our public school! Ack. I have a lot to learn...)