The benefits of outdoor play.

This week you learned about the benefits of outdoor play. For this week’s discussion, pretend you are working with children who are 7-8 years old. Now imagine you are facing growing pressure from parents and from the local school district to prepare these children for state testing and more rigorous academic standards. Many parents and school officials have expressed concern that time spent outside might interfere with academic work.

In your initial post, please address the following:

Explain what you would say in response to these parents and concerned school officials. What benefits of recess and outdoor play might you list? Indicate whether there are any downsides or concerns about recess you would want people to know.

Describe how you might incorporate outdoor time, music, movement, etc. into academic learning. Do you believe there are ways to encourage academic learning during outdoor time? Justify your reasoning.

In writing your initial post, you might find the information available at the following weblinks helpful:

Is recess important for kids or a waste of time?

10 things every parent should know about play