Remember that old expression, “Playtime’s over”? Sadly, for many kids these days, it is!
A new study has found that 40% of elementary schools nationwide have either eliminated or cut back recess time!
BOO!
Recess was what made elementary school tolerable and the recent reduction of free-time in elementary schools may be contributing to the overwhelming amount of childhood obesity we’re always blabbing about!
It’s pretty silly that labor laws require ADULTS to have a 15-minute MINIMUM break for every 4 hours of work and a 30-minute lunch for every 8 hours, while CHILDREN are getting stiffed on recess!
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a psychologist from Temple University, feels the elimination of playtime is endangering children’s behavior and learning abilities, saying:
“If kids were left to have some time on their own, they would in fact develop play. Now what we do is, we endanger the species by taking play opportunities away from them.”
We think it’s fair to say that kids learn a HUGE chunk of their social skills from their freedom to interact and play with their peers at recess. Why take that away?
Click here for information about recess’ decline and how you can support children’s right to play!
[Image via American Association for the Child’s Right To Play.]