Recess vs Increased Instruction Time

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/07/243713419/trim-recess-some-schools-hold-on-to-childs-play

The article, "Trim Recess? Some Schools Hold On To Child's Play" by Eric Westervelt discusses the trend in schools to decrease or completely remove recess time. The article focuses on Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Alemeda, California. This school utilizes the non-profit program, Playworks, that works with low-income area schools. Playworks promotes a healthy lifestyle and focus on academics. The article states that Playworks "creates a physically and emotionally safe environment for kids to just be kids. That means trying new things. If they fail, it's OK. It's a setting where they're not going to be made fun of for trying new things, and there will be a lot of praise when they do succeed." This program costs about $30,000 per year.

Most schools can't afford to pay for this program let alone public, low-income area schools. It seems to be the trend to cut out extra curricular activities, physical activities, and the arts. The playground is where kids can put the knowledge they learn in the classroom into practice. The playground is where kids learn social skills that are need for everyday interactions. With the First Lady focusing on the "Let's Move" Campaign I believe that this sheds light on this deficit in our school systems and it's a step in the right direction. Since most schools can't afford a program like this maybe schools can just start out by having and sustaining recess time and then work towards more structured time like the program offers.