The Value of Recess

By Jennifer Schroeder

Children need a break!

As children often forget or refuse to do homework, teachers have developed an effective punishment, denial of recess. Although this has provided instant results and homework is turned in, the cost is too great to the child. A child should not receive four hours of instruction without a physical break. Mental fatigue sets in and their ability to absorb information diminishes. Every second of their 15 minute recess should be mandatory, not just a perk lost should a child fail to perform to the teacher's satisfaction.

A possible solution would be the provision of an alternative physical activity, such as running laps for recess, however after two hours of classroom, I believe a child should be allowed 15 minutes to just be a child, and I discourage using recess as a bargaining tool with children.