To: Dr. Antoinette Rath, CEO
More Recess Time for Collegium Elementary School Students
American Association of Pediatrics states: "Recess is a crucial and necessary component of a child's development and, as such, should not be withheld for punitive or academic reasons.
After recess, for children or after a corresponding break time for adolescents, students are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively.
In addition, recess helps young children to develop social skills that are otherwise not acquired in the more structured classroom environment."
After recess, for children or after a corresponding break time for adolescents, students are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively.
In addition, recess helps young children to develop social skills that are otherwise not acquired in the more structured classroom environment."
Why is this important?
Our family has been very happy with Collegium. My twin sons are in 3rd grade and have been at the school since kindergarten. The academic days are particularly long and we feel that more balance is critical in regard to recess. Studies prove that children are much more attentive and retain more information when given adequate breaks. There is also a noticeable difference in behavioral issues.
"Through active, free play and interactions with schoolmates, children can develop a respect for rules and an appreciation for other people's cultures and beliefs. They learn skills such as conflict resolution, self-discipline, determination, compromise and teamwork, as well as sharing during recess."
Dr. Robert Murray, a pediatrician and professor of human nutrition at the Ohio State University, did a study on the benefits of recess. What she found was that playtime’s benefits extend beyond the physical. “We came to the realization that it really affects social, emotional and cognitive development in a much deeper way than we’d expected,” she says. “It helps children practice conflict resolution if we allow them unstructured play, and it lets them come back to class more ready to learn and less fidgety.”
For a real life example of the impact that increased recess can have, read this article entitled, "Texas School Triples Recess Time and Sees Immediate Positive Results in Kids":
http://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/news/play/texas-school-triples-recess-time-and-sees-immediate-positive-results-kids101
Some of the links referenced above:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/1/183
http://study.com/academy/lesson/benefits-of-recess-for-elementary-school-children.html
http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/31/yay-for-recess-pediatricians-say-its-as-important-as-math-or-reading/
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION SO WE CAN GARNER SUPPORT FROM DR. RATH (Collegium's CEO) TO GIVE OUR KIDS MORE RECESS!
"Through active, free play and interactions with schoolmates, children can develop a respect for rules and an appreciation for other people's cultures and beliefs. They learn skills such as conflict resolution, self-discipline, determination, compromise and teamwork, as well as sharing during recess."
Dr. Robert Murray, a pediatrician and professor of human nutrition at the Ohio State University, did a study on the benefits of recess. What she found was that playtime’s benefits extend beyond the physical. “We came to the realization that it really affects social, emotional and cognitive development in a much deeper way than we’d expected,” she says. “It helps children practice conflict resolution if we allow them unstructured play, and it lets them come back to class more ready to learn and less fidgety.”
For a real life example of the impact that increased recess can have, read this article entitled, "Texas School Triples Recess Time and Sees Immediate Positive Results in Kids":
http://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/news/play/texas-school-triples-recess-time-and-sees-immediate-positive-results-kids101
Some of the links referenced above:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/1/183
http://study.com/academy/lesson/benefits-of-recess-for-elementary-school-children.html
http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/31/yay-for-recess-pediatricians-say-its-as-important-as-math-or-reading/
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION SO WE CAN GARNER SUPPORT FROM DR. RATH (Collegium's CEO) TO GIVE OUR KIDS MORE RECESS!