What do I love most about recess? For me, it’s the fresh air and physical activity! My favorite activites were playing games like “Simon Says”, “London Bridges”, “Jump Rope” and “Handclapping Games” with my BFFS. Remember this one? “A sailor went to see sea, sea, sea to see what he could see, see, see. But all that he could see, see, see, was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.”
I asked my five year old daughter and here’s what she said!
Mom: “Rosie, what’s your favorite thing about recess?”
Rosie: “Hanging on the monkey bars because it is soooo fun. Second is playing with my friend, Hope, because she climbs the highest.”
Recess time was a chance to talk and laugh, usually on the school playground. We would cluster into our groups of friends usually girls with girls and boys with boys until later years. We would whisper secrets and giggle! For some reason, second grade is my favorite memories of recess with my best friend, Sue. We were together all day at school and visited one or the others houses after school. Bestest friends!
My sister-in-law is a teacher and when I asked her what her favorite thing about recess was, she told me it was fresh air and a change of environments. She likes getting the children into new surroundings and awakening their minds with the change. Especially when they could go outdoors, it gave everyone a boost of positive energy.
There is quite a bit of discussion around here on the benefits of recess. We live near Chicago and Chicago Public Schools are discussing mandated recess and the length of the school day. As a mom, it seems pretty obvious to me that children that have a break and an opportunity to expend some energy are better behaved, easier to teach, happier and healthier. But, as usual, it takes “studies”, not moms, to convince people about hot topics. Well, studies have shown that children that have a break and an opportunity to expend some energy are better behaved, easier to teach, happier and healthier. Huh, imagine that!
When we were trying to decide where we wanted Rosie to go to Kindergarten, I was concerned that the school we liked the best didn’t have a playground. Thankfully, they put a playground in over the summer and she has a great place to play every day. Rosie’s favorite days are when they have two recesses :)! She is blessed to have the opportunity to attend a school with a “place-based curriculum” that emphasizes knowledge of the community, an appreciation and understanding of nature, and plenty of time spent in places other than at a desk. (In fact, her kindergarten classroom has work tables and creative spaces – no desks.) We wouldn’t want it any other way!
Danimals is committed to childhood health and wellness, which starts with good nutrition and an active lifestyle. Through February 8, 2012, purchasers can find codes on Danimals packaging to enter and register. The top school in each of five categories with the most codes registered wins!
In the past twenty years, children have lost an average of 8 hours of recess a week. Danimals Rally for Recess is a national initiative designed to create healthy competition, pitting school against school. Go to Danimals Rally for Recess for a chance to win $20,000 for your Elementary school playground. Plus each day Danimals is giving recess-related prizes to keep kids healthy and active. Share your Recess memories below and go to Rally for Recess for more information on how your school can win!
Disclosure:Â This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Danimals. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest Rules.