Another effect recess has on elementary school children is that it helps them increase cognitive function and emotional well-being. According to Gross-Loh, “Play is an important, natural behavior that young children use to master what they are learning about the world and derive meaning from it” (par. 14). A critical part of growing up for children is discovering new activities. Trying to learn too many new concepts, on the other hand, causes stress in these students. The amount of stress these young students face to thrive and succeed may be counteracted by the free time for play of recess. Pica states, “Recess reduces stress. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends unstructured physical play as a developmentally appropriate means of reducing stress—a valuable benefit given that stress has a negative impact on learning and health” (Pica, “Why Kids Need Recess” par. 4). If stress has a negative effect on children’s learning and learning is the reason children go to school, then one could assume that common sense to dictate that the schools should do whatever they can to help reduce stress. This is not to say that there are not other ways to for children to alleviate stress. Recess is effective mentally becauses it causes interruptions from constant learning directly during the school day. Constant pressure on students to understand and retain new concepts would be negative to the students. Gross-Loh writes that children are made very happy by spending time with their peers. In his opinion, recess provides some of the skills and techniques required for child development. This free time helps a child feel empowered and confident. According to Gross-Loh’s article the feelings recess provide a healthy and positive attitude towards their education and other aspects of school (par. 12). Gross-Loh is insisting As a result, children will feel better about themselves and happier in school.
Recess also gives young students the opportunity to make choices. When children have the freedom to participate in recess, they also have many options on activities to do during the recess time period. In Rae Pica’s article "Why Recess Is Different from PE,” Pica covers the importance of giving children the choice by saying, “They may also choose no companions—to be alone in solitary reflection. All of these options benefit children, who need to learn to socialize, contemplate, and make choices” (Pica, "Why Recess Is Different from PE” par. 4). To summarize, Pica has said that choices are important for the development of a child. Gross-Loh has stated, when students misbehave in class sometimes a punishment is to skip recess. Gross-Loh thinks that is a bad thing because the kids who get in trouble to most often need the freedom of attention the most (Gross-Loh par. 5). The kids who get in the most trouble could very well benefit from having a scheduled recess time. Given these points, there is evidence to show that recess helps children significantly improve cognitive function and their emotional well-being.
Recess also gives young students the opportunity to make choices. When children have the freedom to participate in recess, they also have many options on activities to do during the recess time period. In Rae Pica’s article "Why Recess Is Different from PE,” Pica covers the importance of giving children the choice by saying, “They may also choose no companions—to be alone in solitary reflection. All of these options benefit children, who need to learn to socialize, contemplate, and make choices” (Pica, "Why Recess Is Different from PE” par. 4). To summarize, Pica has said that choices are important for the development of a child. Gross-Loh has stated, when students misbehave in class sometimes a punishment is to skip recess. Gross-Loh thinks that is a bad thing because the kids who get in trouble to most often need the freedom of attention the most (Gross-Loh par. 5). The kids who get in the most trouble could very well benefit from having a scheduled recess time. Given these points, there is evidence to show that recess helps children significantly improve cognitive function and their emotional well-being.