Many who attended elementary school around the late ’90s will remember the popular Disney animated series, Recess. The show revolved around the exploits and adventures of six fourth-graders who, during their daily free time, battled savage kindergartners, sneaked into the forbidden teachers’ lounge and tried to avoid the Ashleys and their evil schemes. Sadly, for many schoolchildren around the country, recess will be nothing more than a sad reminder of a school-time tradition that has fallen to the wayside.
For the past few years a disturbing trend has spread across the country as many school districts are choosing to eliminate recess altogether. Too few adults seem to understand the value of recess and the many benefits it can bring.
A 1993 study sponsored by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement revealed that allowing recess every day has enormous benefits. Exercise during free time helps release built-up energy and allows students to better concentrate when they return to the classroom. Unstructured playtime also allows students to interact with each other – them to develop social skills, communication skills and a better understanding of how to cooperate with one another without adults.
To eliminate recess would be to eliminate a very important part of the day. While many adults might argue that recess is an important part of a child’s day, many do not appreciate its importance after elementary school. It would be silly to argue that for half an hour each day, ACU students should be given the opportunity to run around and play, but there are certainly principles of recess that carry over into adult life.
Free time is an essential part of being healthy. While staying on top of your commitments is certainly important, keeping a nonstop pace, morning till night, can bring on serious health consequences. According to a recent study by Ohio State University, a stressful lifestyle can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases, including Type 2 diabetes.
Taking time off from your busy schedule to interact with others is also an important component of healthy living. Joining a health club, getting involved in an activity such as jogging or swimming with others or simply spending time with friends are each contributors to emotional health.
While none of us are in preschool anymore, the importance of nap time cannot be overstated. Getting the proper amount of rest, 7-8 hours each night, makes an enormous difference on the quality of a person’s day. Taking a 20- minute power nap during the day can also increase your alertness, your productivity and improve your mood.
While several years may have passed since many of us longed for the recess bell, the lessons of childhood carry on into our adult lives. Taking time out each day to exercise, be with friends or to simply burn off steam is as important now as it was when nap time was a mandated activity. We hope more adults will come to understand these values, and recess will remain an important part of everyone’s day.
