Give that kid a break. In fact, give one to his entire class. Research shows it actually will help them learn better in school.
Recess time has been championed as a way to help combat the nation’s childhood obesity problem. Studies also have shown that the free-play that comes with recess is crucial to a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development.
Recess “represents an essential, planned respite from rigorous cognitive tasks,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics in a 2013 policy statement(link opens in new window) touting the benefits of recess. “It affords a time to rest, play, imagine, think, move, and socialize.” It also helps kids reset their brains for the remainder of the day.
“After recess, for children or after a corresponding break time for adolescents, students are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively,” the organization said.
In essence, recess can help students retain more of what they learn, said one of the AAP report’s lead authors, Robert Murray, M.D.
“The science shows pretty clearly that taking those breaks in the day makes students better able to encode memory and learn and perform academically. There’s a lot on the table in terms of the child’s health, well being and academic success,” said Murray, former chairman of the AAP’s Council on School Health.
But just as critical to cognitive improvement, recess also is crucial to developing social and communication skills picked up on the playground – lessons that usually don’t get taught inside a classroom. “Recess is the only place in school, maybe the only place in their social life, where kids have the opportunity to develop social skills with their peers,” Murray said.
Turner said kids need a chance to “just go out and play and have fun,” something they may not be able to do in P.E. class.
“Kids need time in an unstructured environment where they are given creativity in terms of their outlet where they basically learn how to share and get along with each other,” she said.
“In my 6-year-old’s mind, P.E. doesn’t count. P.E. means running laps, and he wants to go to the playground,” Lipham said. “Recess gives him a chance to sociality and really just be a kid for a small portion of what to him is a very long day.”
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/01/recess-helps-kids-learn-better-in-school