Posted on 01/26/2009 4:27:32 AM PST by Zakeet
All work and no play may be a hazard for some U.S. school children.
Researchers reported on Monday that a growing trend of curbing free time at school may lead to unruly classrooms and rob youngsters of needed exercise and an important chance to socialize.
A look at more than 10,000 children aged 8 and 9 found better classroom behavior among those who had at least a 15-minute break during the school day compared to those who did not, Dr. Romina Barros and colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York reported.
The behavior assessments were general in nature and not made at any particular time of the school day, their report said.
"The available research suggests that recess may play an important role in the learning, social development, and health of children in elementary school," the research team said in a study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
But today many children get less free time and fewer physical outlets at school "because many school districts responded to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 by reducing time committed to recess, the creative arts, and even physical education in an effort to focus on reading and mathematics," they added.
The researchers also found that children not getting recess were more likely to be black, from poor families and attending public schools in large cities.
"This raises concern in light of evidence that many children from disadvantaged backgrounds are not free to roam their neighborhoods or even their own yards unless they are accompanied by adults," the team said. "For many of these children, recess periods may be the only opportunity for them to practice their social skills with other children."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I agree that recess is necessary, but at the same time, I worked in an inner city school years ago and when we let the kids out for recess, half of them would be out of the school yard in no time at all and come back with somebody else’s wallet or purse or bicycle. Or in a police car.
The article compaines that the kids are not allowed out to “roam the neighborhood.” I think that’s pretty reasonable, since roaming those neighborhoods could be dangerous for either the kids or the neighborhoods. More recess is fine, but even that has to be controlled, and I can tell you from experience, the behavior of the kids made recess one of the most dangerous times for the teachers.
What this article is really about is trying to overthrow the Bush attempt to put in equitable academic standards at all schools. Obama’s Chicago was a leader in fighting them, complaining that black children particularly could not be expected to spend “all that time” studying and needed instead to spend it in consciousness-raising or social activities. Recess is great, and I agree that kids don’t get enough physical activity, but that’s not really what Reuters is concerned about. It’s actually an attack on objective academic standards.
Totally agree. But the author can drop the “inner city disadvantaged” routine, it’s happening around the country. Children are “caged” much more now then previous generations because of our pervert invested society.
I homeschooled. Kid’s need exercise and breaks from studies. If ours got antzy, we’d send him for a jog around the block, or out in the yard to play.
If you had a rambunctious dog and you didn’t exercise him, he’d be almost impossible to handle. Children, especially boys aren’t much different, in that they need exercise to work off excess energy.
In the dark ages, when I was in elementary school (late 50’s early 60’s) we had 2 recess breaks each day.
I'd be ecstatic with a mere 15 minutes. LOL!
This is not entirely a pants load. Government schools for a host of reasons have been cutting back and outright eliminating recess and P.E. classes. Reasons include the need for more classroom instruction and avoiding playgorund injuries that could lead to lawsuits. Of course they have the obvious result: a classroom full of 8 year olds who have not had a chance to expend all the energy they build up during the day. The Government solution? Drug the kids.
In defense of “government education”, the teachers have little power to dismiss the kids who thwart the education of the others.
I know it sounds harsh, but until we cull the true morons or the juvenile delinquents from the roles, you can expect poor performance.
I have a (former) teacher friend who gave up when she had no ability to get rid of the bad apples.
Although I do agree that all children need good, hearty recess. It's where I learned all of my essential social skills. The important things, like pulling wedgies, hawking loogies, the venerable Atomic Situp, and that long lost art, fist-fighting in the sandbox.
He drives me crazy ... but I know (Oh God, I HOPE I know ... /8^) ... ) he'll be a better man for my not medicating him, but forcing him outside to do ANYthing ... just go do ANYthing ....
Fortunately we live rural and it's winter and wood needs to be cut and split .. and he does a terrific job, too !
Now, if I can only figure out how to pay for all the food he eats, and .. (do you remember that character in "Peanuts", Pigpen? ... ) .. get him to not drop his every earthly possesion behind him as he walks.
In this case, I can't agree with you. This study is very similar to one done in New Zealand. It resulted in a major initiative called "Push PLAY", aimed at getting New Zealanders -- particularly children -- more physically active, with a view to reducing health costs.
It is proving to be fantastically successful.
It is a great cross-the-board initiative that also includes adults and the medical profession. For example, I have a lingering medical issue that is treated by medicine but is also improved by physical activity. I went to see my doctor, and she gave me a "Green Prescription" -- which is a prescription to undertake physical activity.
That prescription is filled by the SPARC people (Sports & Recreation New Zealand -- a Government corporate entity) who fill the prescription with discounts to sports and recreation facilities -- in this case, to a gym and a pool.
The whole idea being investment in physical activity ultimately translates into reduced healthcare costs. And as you would be aware, our social medicine system costs the Nation a fortune. So it is a "Win/Win" scenario.
Similarly, the programs for kids: they are fantastic, aimed at reducing obesity and all the problems that go with that like diabetes. (Some of NZ's ethnic cultures are particularly prone to obesity, from a genetic viewpoint)
Yes it is preferable that people take responsibility for this themselves, and that the government not need to be involved. The sad fact is that some people won't because they are too stupid or lazy or incapable of doing it themselves, in which case they become a burden on society unless the government takes matters in hand and "fixes" it for them.
The "Push PLAY" program is probably one such example. And, as I've said, it works extremely well.
New Zealand is a great sports Nation that takes pride in the physical fitness of its citizens and the world dominance of its sports teams: our Nation would therefore not invest in something like "Push PLAY" unless it would be extremely beneficial long-term. That in itself is a testament to the importance of getting the physical activity thing right for children at a young age, before permanent damage is done.
The USA would do well to consider something similar.
“I agree that recess is necessary, but at the same time, I worked in an inner city school years ago and when we let the kids out for recess, half of them would be out of the school yard in no time at all and come back with somebody else’s wallet or purse or bicycle. Or in a police car.”
yes - that would be a problem wouldn’t it?
I was trying to speak more generally - what is good, generally, for normal kids.
As far as kids leaving grounds and getting in trouble?
That right there is an adult supervision problem.
“More recess is fine, but even that has to be controlled, and I can tell you from experience, the behavior of the kids made recess one of the most dangerous times for the teachers.”
I agree roaming the neighborhood is a bad idea.
And the decay of our culture (due to the decay of the family) has made teaching a more dangerous job - especially in the inner cities.
even so - to make those same kids do nothing but sit all day is much of an answer.
” It’s actually an attack on objective academic standards.”
And it’s a typical liberal approach to pretend the 2 don’t go hand in hand.
We can keep the academic standards, and actually enhance them by considering the fact that children need physical activity.
We certainly were more active as kids (I’m 40), as were our parents.
I have a personal belief that sedentary bodies lead to sedentary minds.
“is much of an answer” = “isn’t much of an anwer...”
Kids are like puppies. A tired puppy is a good puppy. Same with the kids. Our oldest son would probably be considered ADHD and a candidate for meds at a city school. Out here with plenty of recess time at school and stuff to do outside at home ... he’s just a typical little boy ;-)
The real problem with school performance: unstable, unhealthy families. No one wants to admit to that.
I’ve got one of those critters at home myself, and he has 3 younger brothers.
Yes - splitting wood is one of the best activities ever for teenage boys isn’t it?
My 8 yr. old is little pisser, and I know if I don’t find a way to positively channel his mischevious nature, we are in for a world of hurtin’ when his teenage hormones kick in!
Huh? I've had plenty of jobs where I got no break except lunch
I get your point, but there are plenty of places where no coffee break is allowed on the job.
My sister's son has been on Ritalin all his life. He's now 22 and has a "chemical imbalance". They are basically experimenting with him using different kinds of drugs to make him "manageable".
I can't/won't say anything to my sister but I firmly believe it's because he has been drugged since he was about 5.
Neither of my sons will EVER be put on Ritalin.
exactly!
One reason I hesitate to become certified to teach is I wonder if I have what it takes to keep a classroom of boys engaged all day.
Good choice!
ADHD drugs can cause hallucinations in some kids
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can cause children to have hallucinations even when taken as directed, U.S. government researchers said on Monday.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration researchers analyzed data from 49 clinical studies conducted by makers of the drugs and found they can cause psychosis and mania in some patients, including some with no obvious risk factors. In some cases, children hallucinated that worms, bugs or snakes were crawling on them.
"Patients and physicians should be aware of the possibility that psychiatric symptoms consistent with psychosis or mania" might arise in the course of treatment, Dr. Andrew Mosholder and colleagues wrote in the journal Pediatrics.
Their analysis provides fresh detail about known risks of the drugs, which include Novartis AG's Ritalin and Focalin XR, Shire Plc's Adderall XR and Daytrana patch, Johnson & Johnson's Concerta, Eli Lilly and Co's Strattera and Celltech Pharmaceuticals Inc's Metadate CD.
It also includes data on Cephalon Inc's modafinil, sold as Provigil, a narcolepsy drug that was rejected as an ADHD treatment in children.
Come on. They spend maybe 1/4 of the time at school in real learning. The rest is having PC bullsh#t programmed into them. Kids need a bread to run around and burn off some energy. We ALWAYS had a morning and afternoon recess in Grammar school and Gym several times a week. I will bet big bucks that the number of kids on Ritalin and other ADD drugs would drop if they had the opportunity to exercise a little.
Well, I agree with you, constant indoctrination is not learning.
Let them play!
More like the fault of more federal government interference. Just as bad when Republicans do it as Democrats.
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