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Recess and Physical Education Is Being Disregarded

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Recess and Physical Education Is Being Disregarded
Recess and Physical Education is Being Disregarded

“About 40% of public schools have already cut, or plan on cutting recess from their school day” (Education Reporter, 1). Along with that more and more schools are now taking away physical education classes to make more time for math, reading, and writing. The main concern with taking these out of schools is that it will contribute to the rising issue of childhood obesity. Also, children benefit from short recess breaks throughout the day in many different ways. The last reason recess and P.E. should be required is that physical activity is a very important part of the development of a young child. Academics and test scores are important; however educators must look out for the health and well-being of every child. I believe that recess and physical education class should not be taken out of schools; they should be required as part of every day curriculum.
With the childhood obesity rate rising upward every year, we would think that recess and physical education class should be required in schools, but the reality is that many schools throughout the United States are getting rid of recess and P.E. class. About 1 in every 5 children are obese and physical inactivity is one of the main contributors to that epidemic. Requiring this in school is so important because for many children this is the only time they may be involved in some kind of physical exercise in the day. Children spend most of their day in school and when they go home the common trend is to play video games, watch TV, or sit at their computer. Recess and P.E. may be the only time that children can be physically active and expend those excess calories and energy that they have acquired. “Some newer schools have even gone so far as to being built without playgrounds” (Education Reporter, 1). Not only are they taking away recess but also any playtime that the children may do before and after school.
Obesity starts at a very young



Bibliography: Education Reporter. Recess Is ‘In Recess’ As Schools Cut Child’s Play. October 2001. http://www.eagleforum.org/educate/2001/recess.shtml Pytel, Barbara. Recess Becoming Obsolete. May 24,2006. http://educationalissues.suite101.com/print_article.cfm/recess_becoming_obsolete

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