It seems over the years, time in the classroom has taken a larger chunk than it used to. School policies and teaching methods are oft cited as 'progressive', but are they? No doubt some changes may be helpful; we learn through our mistakes. But keeping children indoors, in cramped rooms, sitting on hard seats for extended periods of time, does not help with the learning process.
Kids need sunshine; they need to run and play; they need to get rid of built up energies and exercise their muscles. A statement released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, according to ABCNews, reveals that children are not getting enough recess. National Wildlife Federation, in an articled entitled Why Be Out There, states:
American childhood has moved indoors during the last two decades, taking a mental and physical toll on today’s kids. The negative impact of decreased time outdoors includes a doubling of the childhood obesity rate...
Research has shown over the last few years that outdoor activity actually enhances learning: social and cognitive. Hopefully more schools will grasp this concept for the sake of our children.
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