In an attempt to raise test scores and to calm anxious helicopter parents' fear of kidnapping their child from the playground during recess; schools have found it easy to target recess and delete it from the school day. Kids, however, need recess for a mental brake, just like union workers need work brakes. Kids also need recess for social, leadership, and following skills, also "new research shows that giving children recess actually helps solve behavioral problems in class," (Parker-Pope, New York Times). Therefore, the teacher also get a brake from fidgeting students in the classroom. Teachers have also noted "Recess allows children to make choices about who to interact with and who to avoid."And teachers can learn a lot about their students by watching them at play, adds Jarrett. "It's important for teachers to know which students are being isolated and teased, and who the bully is," (Svensen, Family Education). Another quick fact "Unstructured physical play is a developmentally appropriate outlet for reducing stress in children's lives, and research shows that physical activity improves children's attentiveness and decreases restlessness,"(The National Association for the Education of Young Children). So, if recess has so many benefits and can actually heighten test scores, because it actually Heightens attentiveness, then why bother taking it out Even a 15 minute recess, while it is something, is not enough time for children to relax and recharge. Think about it, television shows are thirty minutes long, so wouldn't it be reasonable if recess were that long as well That will give not only the student time to recharge, but the teacher time as well. Petition with me to end this trend for good.

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