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Southern New Hampshire University *
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English
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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5
Uploaded by MagistrateHare4150
Cheyanna Aune
English composition II
01/05/2024
"Recess: Unveiling the Impact on Children's Social and Intellectual Development"
Since the beginning of organized schooling, children have anxiously awaited the arrival of recess. This time-honored element of the traditional school day has sparked controversy over its impact on children's social and intellectual development, as well as providing possibilities for conflict between individuals. An examination of scientific studies, on the other hand, provides insights into the potential benefits of recess.
There are various heated debates about whether or not students should get recess in school. One common argument is that recess is a waste of important time that
could otherwise be used for valuable purposes. The argument is that dedicating time to
recess reduces overall efficiency and detracts from the primary goal of academic teaching. This position is supported by the decision of Benjamin Canada, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, to eliminate recess in Atlanta schools and replace it with physical education. Canada claimed that this replacement resulted in an increase in achievement scores; however, there was a lack of actual data to back up this claim. Furthermore, available research supports a contrasting viewpoint, calling into
question the supposed benefits of such a replacement (Pellegrini 2008).
Aside from the aforementioned, another argument against recess is that it
exposes children to an increased danger of bullying. While this argument recognizes the
possibility of bullying during recess, it also recognizes that similar dangers exist in other areas of the school. Bullying is viewed as a complex problem that can occur before or after school hours, as well as during lunch periods. Nonetheless, critics of recess believe that the potential for bullying is heightened when there is little adult supervision, emphasizing the importance of structured adult supervision in preventing such actions. In this regard, they argue that reducing the risk of bullying during recess and other unstructured free times demands the regular presence of people to supervise.
The incorporation of recess in school schedules has a positive impact by giving adolescents an opportunity to interact socially. It allows kids to connect and play with their peers, which promotes good social skills and improves their capacity to interact with others. As a result, recess provides a platform for children to learn proper social behaviors and is an important route for some children to connect with others. This dedicated period promotes children's social development by allowing them to engage in play and embrace the essence of childhood. In addition, with proper adult supervision, recess can significantly reduce the danger of bullying, aggressiveness, or negative social interactions, fostering positive social development in children.
However, the benefits of recess go beyond social factors and include significant cerebral benefits as well. The most important advantage is the mental benefit of taking a
break and recharging. According to Pellegrini (2008), children, particularly young children, may benefit intellectually from shifting to a significantly different activity, such as recess, which presents an interesting contrast to highly concentrated tasks. This adjustment provides an important break, especially for young children, and may
enhance their ambitions in school. Both children and adults perform better in work and learning situations after taking time to rest and recharge. This necessary break period protects against burnout and increases overall productivity. While physical education helps to burn calories, its instructional nature limits the mental and social flexibility that recess gives. Furthermore, recess allows children to de-stress by allowing them to unwind and burn energy before returning to the classroom revitalized and ready for successful learning. Some consider recess to be an inefficient use of time for children. This time could've been spent learning instead. It also increases the likelihood of children being bullied. However, there is little evidence to suggest that removing recess is beneficial for
students. Research and data have shown that recess is beneficial. The advantages of recess simply outweigh the disadvantages.
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Reference:
Pellegrini, A. D. (2008). The Recess Debate: A Disjuncture between Educational Policy and Scientific Research. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1069008.pdf
Reflection Questions
1. What ideas originally came to mind when you first read through the article? Did
your initial response to the article change after reading it for a second time? (3-4 sentences)
I tried to read the essay with an open mind the first time I read it. I found the debate about the necessity of recess to be thought-provoking, and I attempted to investigate the opposing viewpoints. After carefully studying the facts and rereading it several times, I ultimately agreed with the author's viewpoint on the importance of recess for children.
2. How does paying attention to the way you respond to a source help you formulate your stance on a topic? (2-3 sentences)
While reading an article, I try to put my personal thoughts aside and concentrate solely on the content that is in front of me. I read the article a number of times, and it has only reinforced my belief that recess is essential for children during their school day.