To the Members of the Boston Public Schools Board of Education:
“School districts across the country have been slowly limiting recess and children’s free time at schools with many schools taking the drastic step of eliminating recess altogether” (Keeler 14). Many schools believed that smarter students could be cultivated with less free time and more work time (Keeler 14). However, children in America are suffering from a health crisis from the lack of physical activity and free time in schools, and it is crucial for to take action to keep and improve recess (Alliance for Childhood 1). Moreover, not only do free time and physical activity improve fitness and physical health, but they also ensure that children maintain a healthy mental and emotional state (Alliance for Childhood 1). With a variety of spaces, sports equipment, and toys to play with, recess should last more-or-less 40 minutes long and have a free structure.
During elementary school, recess was a treasured break that all of my peers and I looked forward to; even though the break was only 20 minutes long, each day promised a new adventure with seemingly limitless options. Some days, I delighted in playing handball, tetherball, and basketball with my brother and his friends, building up courage and strength along the way. Other days, my best friend, Lindsay, and I climbed monkey bars …show more content…
My elementary school’s recess was only 20 minutes long, giving students hardly enough time to participate in fun physical activity or go to the restroom. 40 minutes of recess seems adequate for a break, allowing students to fully engage in outdoor activity and take a breather from the classroom. In fact, doctors recommend that children have 60 minutes of free play every day to stay physically and mentally healthy (Alliance for Childhood 1-2). Overall, a longer recess time would be beneficial to the health and happiness of pupils in elementary
“School districts across the country have been slowly limiting recess and children’s free time at schools with many schools taking the drastic step of eliminating recess altogether” (Keeler 14). Many schools believed that smarter students could be cultivated with less free time and more work time (Keeler 14). However, children in America are suffering from a health crisis from the lack of physical activity and free time in schools, and it is crucial for to take action to keep and improve recess (Alliance for Childhood 1). Moreover, not only do free time and physical activity improve fitness and physical health, but they also ensure that children maintain a healthy mental and emotional state (Alliance for Childhood 1). With a variety of spaces, sports equipment, and toys to play with, recess should last more-or-less 40 minutes long and have a free structure.
During elementary school, recess was a treasured break that all of my peers and I looked forward to; even though the break was only 20 minutes long, each day promised a new adventure with seemingly limitless options. Some days, I delighted in playing handball, tetherball, and basketball with my brother and his friends, building up courage and strength along the way. Other days, my best friend, Lindsay, and I climbed monkey bars …show more content…
My elementary school’s recess was only 20 minutes long, giving students hardly enough time to participate in fun physical activity or go to the restroom. 40 minutes of recess seems adequate for a break, allowing students to fully engage in outdoor activity and take a breather from the classroom. In fact, doctors recommend that children have 60 minutes of free play every day to stay physically and mentally healthy (Alliance for Childhood 1-2). Overall, a longer recess time would be beneficial to the health and happiness of pupils in elementary