Imagine you are a hardworking student in school, waiting for the hours to pass by.

You can hear the rough scratching of your fellow classmates’ pencil and the clock, ticking slowly. The thin smell of paper is fresh in the air. Your hand is red from writing and your brain feels like it’s going to burst after the long day of work.

You do your work well, and you are constantly hoping for a reward, maybe even a little free time to talk and play. Then, you remember something your teacher had announced earlier this month: “No more recess!”

To me it sounded a lot like, “No more fun.”

Recess should not be removed from a school day filled with hard work. Recess is one of the main parts of the day where I can get the exercise everyone needs.

Sometimes, I feel fidgety and jumpy with a longing to go outside, have recess, and breathe fresh air. If I don’t go outside to recess, there is almost no other time where I can feel free and exercise.

According to Rae Pica from the Children’s Health and Wellness, “The outdoors is the best place for children to burn calories, practice emerging physical skills, and experience the pure joy of movement.”

Exercise is very important, and it should be encouraged at recess.

Socialization is very important to me. When can I ever talk to my friends and classmates without recess? If there is no recess, I will never get a chance to socialize with other people.

Rae Pica also states that “Children don’t engage in the neighborhood play of earlier generations, so once the school day ends, there will be little chance for unstructured, natural, social

environment.”

The last reason is improved attitudes. When you exercise, you get more fit, and naturally your attitude improves and you will be happier. When I am happy, I tend to treat others better and everyone is having fun.

Bullying gets reduced and there is a lot more positive language. Milbrey McLaughlin, the David Jacks Professor of Education and Public Policy supports this too.

“We saw how a positive recess experience can benefit classroom climate in low-income elementary schools through students’ improved conflict-resolution skills and sense of teamwork.” McLaughlin said.

Don’t we want everyone to be happy and kind to everyone?

Although teachers may use recess as a punishment by not letting the unruly kids go to it, Eric Jensen, author of several books on brain-based learning says otherwise.

“Remaining seated for longer than 10 minutes reduces our awareness of physical and emotional sensations, resulting in reduced concentration and discipline problems,” Jensen said.

Recess can be a very important part of a school day, child or adult, so make sure you take these facts and reasons into account before taking away anyone’s privilege to

recess.

Remember, recess can increase your academic grades as well as fun! That is why children should be able to experience recess in a school year.