In passing a playground with school children at play, how many times is there a child sitting on the ground or on the sidewalk of the playground with a book and a paper? Why aren’t they playing and getting exercise like the other students?  Chances are they are completing an assignment that was due or being punished for an unwarranted behavior.  Even though many school districts have established a ban on eliminating recess it is still being used as a disciplinary method.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess is a crucial part of a child’s development. There is a plethora of information on why recess is important to every student.  With the studies conducted years ago by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and studies by the School Journal of School Health, it is a wonder that schools still use this as a main disciplinary means.

Recess and active play during the course of the day (not counting PE) gives students a much-needed break from intense studying.  It gives the brain time to process the learning along with teaching social skills.  It is counter productive to punish defiant or highly active students by taking away their time to be physically moving.  In spite of the research, 40 percent of elementary schools have either eliminated or are considering eliminating recess.

With research shows taking away recess does not make classroom behavior any better, what else is a teacher to do to maintain discipline?Many schools have turned to positive behavior and support programs as an intervention.  They incorporate a fun day for students that are acknowledged with a stamp or given points for the expected behavior and logical consequences.  Logical consequences help students to fix their mistakes, learn behavior that is respectable, and to take responsibility for their actions.

All schools want a positive school climate and recess is one variable that contributes to it being positive.  Recess offers opportunities for student-to-student interaction along with participation in conflict resolution practices.  By its elimination, nothing is taught and the student’s behavior doesn’t change.  The same student(s) will miss recess on a daily basis when it is used as a punishment.  The job of educators is not to punish children, but to help them learn behaviors and mannerisms that will guide them in being responsible and successful adults.