Yay Recess!

 Turns Out Monkey Bars and Kickball Might be Good for the Brain

Yes!  Here's another news story that affirms the notion that recess is not only good for kids' bodies, but is an essential component to a well-rounded school day that can lead to a boost in academic achievement.  

Eagle Mountain Elementary School in Fort Worth, Texas (yes, Texas) has increased recess time for students to four chunks of fifteen minutes each.

These breaks help students get the "blood out of their butts and back into their brains", provide processing time for learning, and give them time to play!  Eagle Mountain took to heart what schools in Finland have known and been doing for a long time: short breaks from academics combined with the opportunity for physical activity help make students more focused for learning.

At the high school level, we don't have unstructured "recess" time, but the school where I work - Chanhassen High School - has instituted 20-minute breaks on block days.  During this time students can get a snack, visit with friends, enjoy a game of ping-pong in the student union or just use the time any way they wish.  The idea is that they both get a break from academics and have a choice as to what they do with it.

What are YOU doing to advocate for more recess time for kids?

UPDATE:
A recent story in the Star Tribune, "Across State, Kindergarten is Becoming the New First Grade". discussed the increase of academic rigor for kindergarteners at the expense of play and recess.  I think this is very unfortunate.  I think that Finland and other countries have proven that play is critically important for healthy development in brains and bodies.  I fear that fewer opportunities to play will lead to more stress.  I hope I'm wrong.