The average student takes 112 standardized tests between Pre-K and 12th grade. And although recess is often sacrificed to make room for even more academics, the research suggests that is a big mistake.
Recess Benefits:
- Brain Health: Recess promotes physical activity, which is key for developing healthy, active brains-especially for young children. Regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain, stimulating nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, the centre of learning and memory. So it actually alters the structure of the brain, improving attention, memory, and coping ability.
- Emotional Health: Young children learn valuable life skills on the ground. When the students play together they practice how to take turns, resolve conflicts and work together.
- Academics: Finally, pretend play during recess lays the foundation for creative inquiry- enhancing a child’s ability to produce and test multiple solutions to the problem. Despite the myths, kids return from recess feeling more focused, not less. So they are more likely to stay on task, leading to better academic performance.
The research is clear.
If you want smart, healthy, well-rounded children, it pays to invest in recess.
Source: Edutopia
