Parents asking schools for longer recess periods

By ELISABETH HULETTE, Staff Writer

Published 10/05/09

Shannon Lee Zirkle - The Capital
Jazmyne Mathews, 8, plays kickball with her classmates during recess at Mills-Parole Elementary School.

How much time do children need for recess?

Some county elementary schools offer up 30 minutes; others say 15 is plenty. But some parents are worried that children need more time than they're getting for social development and to burn energy so they can focus in the classroom.

"Recess helps them pay attention and learn," parent Cathy Demeroto said at a meeting about recess Thursday at Severna Park Elementary School. "Research says students do better academically when kids have recess and are active."

The issue surfaced recently in the countywide Citizen Advisory Committee, a parent group that...

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Recess - 2009-10-06 14:35:12

All children, regardless of their special needs or parental, or economic situation, should have a 30 minute recess to give them time to move around and get the oxygen flowing through their blood. When they are sitting for so long in classrooms, they don't focus as readily as they would if they were able to get up and move for 30 mins everyday. It would help all children even if the child works well without the 30 mins of recess.

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Melissa H. - Lothian, MD - Karma: Neutral

Emmaline - 2009-10-06 09:49:06

10 minute longer recess will not solve obesity in children. Yes, children are supposed to run and play. Turn off the TV, the computer, the PS1-2-3, X-box and ventured outside.

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Rick M. - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent

Exercise is key - 2009-10-05 20:18:30

I hope the board actually looks into a 30 to 40 minute recess for all schools. I am firm believer that recess/exercise and child development go hand in hand. 15 minute recess is a joke. If Dr.Maxwell wants the kids to learn at a higher level than a longer recess is a must. Healthy body Healthy mind.

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A. Barham - crownsville, MD - Karma: Excellent

15 minutes - 2009-10-05 19:44:28

These 15 minutes schools need the time to teach, not to supervise this poor children with bad diets and minimal brain dysfunction. If there is a problem surely it is a limited group of maladjusted children. These kids could be herded together and given a special class for there disabilities. My child on the other hind thrives in a more intellectually stimulating environment. What is an actual fact is that middle and high school children's brains NEED TO SLEEP past the time allowed by the ridiculously early start time. Parent should ask for a later start for this children---ALL OF THEM !!!!

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

ADD-ADHD - 2009-10-05 18:41:28

Lengthen recess and ADD and ADHD numbers drop like a lead balloon. Obesity drops too.
Children are supposed to run and play!
By the way Gym and Recess are one and the same with only structural differences. Why have both for young children?
Curtailing and/or eliminating recess caused many of the problems children have these days.

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Emmaline Giles - West River, MD - Karma: Good

demographics - 2009-10-05 13:52:40

It is readily apparent that those schools with impoverished ( parental and economic) demographics require a shorter recess to compensate for the learning opportunity deficits at home.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible