Real Talk
In today’s testing-obsessed school culture, one shocking reality has emerged: children are spending less time outdoors than inmates in correctional facilities. Yes, really!
That’s right. We value physical activity and Vitamin D for our prisoners but not for our rapidly developing children. This startling comparison highlights the growing problem of reduced school recess and outdoor time and its damaging effects on children’s mental and physical well-being.
The Shocking Comparison
According to federal guidelines, inmates in U.S. prisons are entitled to at least two hours of outdoor recreation per day. In an article by the FEE, prisoners referred to their yard time as the highlight of their day and expressed that they would be angry and resentful if the time were decreased.
I wonder how our students feel when we cram hours and hours of “learning time” into their schedules without allowing them to breathe in fresh air, expend their pent-up energy, talk to their peers, and clear their heads. I am pretty confident they also feel angry and resentful, leading to emotional outbursts and behavioral issues we continuously see.
In contrast to our prisoners, another study shows children spend less than an hour a day outside, and 30 percent of children get less than 15 minutes of recess daily.
Some schools cut recess after first grade, and some don’t allow any recess at all, all in the name of achievement.
The Shift away from the Great Outdoors
The testing revolution began with the advent of No Child Left Behind in the 80s. High-stakes tests evolved into the education big business mania we see today. Fun activities, unstructured play, and multiple recess breaks flew out the window faster than a rumor in a small town.
Administrators no longer wish to address the problems associated with recess, such as bullying, fighting, and injuries, so they cut it. As a result, children are not developing the social and problem-solving skills needed to be well-rounded and mentally healthy.
At the same time, the amount of homework and parents’ hypervigilance regarding safety has increased, further limiting the number of outside playtime hours.
Social media and the 24-hour news cycle of kidnappings and murders create anxiety about simply allowing our children the ability to roam outdoors as we once did. The latter is more of a problem than the former.
Odds are your child will never be kidnapped, but they will suffer the psychological problems associated with staying indoors with an iPhone and an XBOX all day.
The Mental Health Crisis
Childhood mental health issues are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder each year. Anxiety, depression, and attention deficits are widespread, and the reduction of unstructured outdoor play is a significant contributing factor. Research shows that outdoor activity can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Time spent outside has been proven to lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation.
- Boost mood: Exposure to sunlight helps the body produce serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer.
- Improve focus and attention: Physical activity stimulates brain function, making kids more attentive and ready to learn.
Without outdoor time, children are suffering internally and physically. Childhood obesity rates have tripled since the 1970s, which further leads to problems like low self-esteem and a negative self-image.
The elimination of outdoor unstructured play and the increase in technology use have hindered the development of self-regulation and weakened neural pathways that are necessary for attention and deep thinking.
The Case for Recess
Ask any teacher, parent, or researcher, and they will tell you that outdoor play is not wasted academic time. In fact, unstructured play fosters creativity, imagination, social skills, and problem-solving abilities. Regular breaks throughout the school day would reduce the out-of-control student behavior that teachers deal with daily.
In a series of recent studies, short physical activity breaks in the classroom improved students’ behavior, increasing their effort and ability to stay on task. Countries like Finland, which prioritize recess with multiple breaks throughout the school day, consistently outperform others in academic achievement. We need to follow their lead, STAT.
A Call to Action
Why are our students suffering the lasting effects of being prisoners of the four walls of our classrooms? If we can mandate that prisoners have consistent and ample time outdoors, shouldn’t we do the same for our children?
It’s time to rethink the priorities in our education system. By restoring and expanding unstructured play time, we can give children the opportunity to thrive both mentally and physically. Three recesses outside should be mandatory.
Parents, educators, and policymakers must advocate for more outdoor time in schools. Parents must also encourage it at home, recognizing that a well-rounded education includes nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.
Let’s pop the bubble and let them play.
