"We'll be cool when you give our kids their recess back!"
- lifelessonsfrommem
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Remember when “playing in the sandbox” literally meant that children could be in a square area filled with sand and play with toys in that area, like a plastic shovel, hoe, rake, funnels, plastic molds, trucks and cars, and sometimes a plastic backhoe for digging? Now, adults have taken that phrase and use it to mean “to cooperate with others with the common goal of collaboration on a project for work”.
Seriously–one definition has nothing to do with the other!
When I was young, I would spend all summer on the farm at Memaw’s. I can tell you no chores that I did except feed the pigs in the evening with food scraps, burn the trash in the burn barrel, and mow the lawn with the riding lawn mower. Do any of those things sound like chores?? I would play all summer–digging holes in the gravel driveway, making mud pies, sitting on top of the doghouse with the hound, Smoky. I would play outside every day. If it rained, I was inside with my Barbies, my huge chalkboard playing school, or coloring. I loved summers.
I did not take summer school classes (except one year I did take my driver’s ed class). I did not go to camp. I did not play any organized sports once school let out. I did NOTHING but play.
I read two articles this week, from two different sources. One article was about how the nation's leading pediatricians urged schools to protect free play for children and teens. They recommend at least 20 minutes of recess every day, and short breaks throughout the day. Recess and playing are critical for a child’s development and enhances their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive (academic) developments. Sounds great. What is the problem?
Up to 40% of US schools have reduced or eliminated recess. What?? Whose bright idea was that? I’m sure it was not the parents, or the children, or even the teachers’ idea. All the people who are involved in our children’s development want to have recess–maybe even at least 2 recesses a day. Nope. This brilliant idea of cutting recess was administration’s idea. Those, who have no direct contact with children, want less time for play and more time for testing. “We need to prioritize test performance.”
Seriously? How’s that working out for you? Children are reporting record numbers of poor mental health, increase in anxiety and depression, poor social development, and guess what? Lower test scores!!
Countries that are beating us? Countries that have higher test performance, more balanced students, more educated students? How about the UK, Japan, Denmark, and Finland! Do they use the school day with academics, test preparation, and no playing? Nope. In fact, they usually have at least 2 recesses a day, for 30-40 minutes, and the children must take breaks every 45 minutes.
Hmmmm…I think I see a pattern here….
And so do some of the states. About 10 states have passed laws, with Oklahoma being the latest, that requires elementary schools to have at least 40 minutes of daily unstructured recess time. Teachers are NOT allowed to reduce or eliminate that recess time for punishment or academics.
Great!! Children are getting more recess! But what about adults?
My very first blog was about happiness on Sept. 17, 2024. I said there are three things that brings happiness: being positive, doing things for others, and doing something EVERY DAY that brings you joy or pleasure.
That has not changed. We need to play as adults. We need to “play in the sandbox” more and not for work.
The second article I read was a study that was done by 5,000 US adults about how much fun they have in their lives*. According to this study, almost half the adults felt that their overall life was currently lacking in fun. Not only were they not having fun EVERY DAY but not even every week. In fact, 12% said they couldn’t think of the last time they had fun!! Well, no wonder most Americans are not happy!
The survey said that people felt they were barred from having fun because of cost, personal schedule, work schedule, general burnout, and not knowing what to do.
How many of us could identify with those reasons? I know I can.
The study also revealed that most of us know how important it is to have fun or do something we enjoy in our daily lives. This enjoyment means we feel less stress, feel more motivation, and feel closer to family and friends if we share that enjoyment with company.
So, if we know that having fun everyday is good for us, gives us less stress and brings us happiness, why aren’t we doing it? I know the reasons listed above from the study, but we can’t find 15 minutes every day to do something we enjoy? Hmmm, I don’t believe that.
15 minutes….every day….
What are you going to do today that brings you joy?
What about tomorrow?
Remember–every single day!
*Disclaimer–the study was conducted by Dave and Buster’s corporation. Dave and Buster’s is a chain of restaurants that serve food and drink but they also have games and arcades for people to enjoy while they are eating and drinking:)
Blog Website: https://www.lifelessonsfrommemaw.com/