The Extinction of Recess

The old way of life has come and gone and the age of recess seems more like seems more like a J.R.R. Tolkien novel right now. We're at a time where a 9 year old has a better phone than you and preschoolers play with tablets, all the while, young student's privilege of playing outside or experiencing nature during school is at a decline. That's just one thing I can't stand to see affecting the youth today, along with participation trophies and Justin Beiber, but that's another story.

I was able to read and interesting excerpt by Richard Louv called "Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Restorative Environment", it discussed the effect of children's interaction with nature and the positive effect it has on their cognitive skills. As you'd probably expect, the more time children had outside during school, the more focused they became in the classroom. However, I did not need a scientific study to tell me this.  It's essentially just giving your brain a breather after running a marathon. They have plenty of time in the future to go without breaks when they're 24 and working 9 to 5. My fondest memories came from that playground, and that's where I made all of my friends.

Me, age 6 (green shirt), making friends in the park.

"...many parents notice significant changes in their children's stress levels and hyperactivity when they spend time outside." (Louv 4)

Recess is not only a stress reliever, but also a way for social interaction and a way of exercise considering childhood obesity is a tad bit worrisome in the United States. Not to mention nothing beats the smell of true fresh air and the feel of the breeze or grass between your toes. The excerpt went on to explain that studies have shown that kids with access to more "green" areas during recess experience greater test results when it came to concentration and focus. It also held a significant impact on children with ADHD. "...parents reported that their children exhibited fewer symptoms of ADHD after spending time in green surroundings" (Louv 9). The green areas of trees and grass act like a suppressant for the condition or, in other words, are Nature's Ritalin.

Richard Louv's excerpt told me something I've already believed for a long time; It's that there's a certain kind of knowledge to be gained from nature that you can't learn in the classroom. The "Nature-Deficit Disorder", in other words, not enough outside time, is a problem in our society and is a huge factor in a child's lack of focus.