Limiting Recess In Schools

Words: 716
Pages: 3

The benefits that recess poses on children are countless and range from a decrease in cases of myopia to an increase of brain matter in the hippocampus which is responsible for the formation for memories in the brain. However, the time given for recess in schools is being cut short due to a higher priority placed on standardized tests and due to the punishments placed on schools that score poorly on the standardized tests. As a result many schools have to cut recess and keep students in the classroom to prepare them for a longer time. In conclusion a priority placed on standardized tests for the past few years has resulted in an ignorance against the development and health of children that recess provides.
A question that has taunted scientists for years is why is there an increase in cases of myopia globally. Surprisingly scientists found that looking at books or screens too closely was not the cause, but rather the exposure of sunlight to children has decreased over the years causing the eyes of children to mature incorrectly. This issue relates to recess because if children are exposed to sunlight, then the rates of myopia could decrease significantly. An increase in myopia may not seem as deleterious due to the fact that wearing a pair of glasses
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Additionally an obesity epidemic on the rise and cutting recess short sets up an unhealthy sedentary lifestyle for the next generation. However recess does not only exist as place for children to endure exercise, it also develops social and developmental skills in children and relieves ADHD symptoms. Interestingly, since there are so many benefits of recess, there are still other potential benefits of recess waiting to be discovered by scientists and cutting recess short is not assisting children