The Observation Of Lunchtime Recess In Elementary School

As a small child in elementary school uniquely I can still remember the anticipation of lunchtime recess, do you? Ordinarily, the bell for lunch rings, the teacher lines up everyone for lunch, that’s when the excitement begins to erupt. The chatter of voices commerce as students consider exactly what their desire to conquer first might be. Mary-go-rounds, slides, swings, monkey bars, balls, jump ropes, at that moment imaginations explode and run rapidly. The instant lunchtime is over; teachers open the portal to a wondrous world of whimsical delight: the playground. Immediately, the deafening sound of screeching chairs sliding across the cafeteria floor erupts. Simultaneously, the rumble of wild, uncontrollable energy bursting through the cafeteria

For example, walk into any school during lunchtime you will not hear the chatter of children, you will not see the exercise of socialization. Customarily, in many instances, that magical playground exists no longer. Conversely, students are hastily rushed through lunchtime, sanctioned in alphabetical sequence, not permitted the luxury of communicating with or interacting with friends. Furthermore, to some Teachers, lunch duty has turned into the dreadful task of marching up and down isles bellowing at students to keep the noise below a whisper. Moreover, allowing students just enough time to quaff down their food, then rapidly whisking them back to their classroom so that they can cram more instructional time into their day. Nevertheless, the added pressure placed upon school districts, administrators, and teachers to boost scores on standardized testing by our government is horrendous. Therefore, consequently bringing up the debate of whether students should be allowed unstructured play or should they be involuntarily confined noiselessly within their seats among four walls as the teacher hammers them with the structured curriculum as preparation for this enormously strenuous test. An unstructured recess can offer students’ benefits that structured pay will never allow for. The government, school districts, and teachers may not see the necessity nor the benefits of recess, but research tells

Progressively more children are being diagnosed with medical issues like Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD, and obesity. Have school administrators and government officials lost focus on what really counts: a healthy body equals a healthy mind? Proven that sixty minutes of outdoor play a day, and a reasonable diet can provide students with enough physical activity to stay fit (Howell). Obesity is an epidemic that poses the greatest health problems to our nation (Howell). Physical activity and healthy nutritional habits influence a healthy mind. With over 95% of young people enrolled in schools, we know school administrators cannot solve the obesity problem, however, they can help slow it down by providing strong school-based policies and programs, for instance, physical education (Howell). Studies have provided evidence that indicate a required time for an adequate unstructured outside physical activity per week are: time estimated for elementary school is a hundred-and-fifty minute’s, and estimated time for secondary schools is two-hundred-and-twenty-five minutes (Howell). The school setting is the most auspicious time for students to enjoy physical activity outside of physical education class, because during school students are exposed to peers outside of their own social status, and ethnic background.