Writing a book about recess could be a very questionable endeavor for a serious academic psychologist. At first blush it seems to be a pretty trivial topic. It's the time during the school day where there's a break from what's typically considered the most serious work of the day--reading, writing, and arithmetic. Reflecting this trivial tenor, it's also that time of the school day that kids--perhaps only half jokingly--say is their favorite part of school. This perception has lead many schools to question the role of recess in the school day. This book is an attempt to broach two views of recess--the perceived value of recess and the movement to eliminate or reduce the school recess period from the primary school day.

Due to tightened school budgets and the emphasis on testing, many elementary schools eliminate recess, gym classes, and play periods to the developmental detriment of the very children the schools are supposed to serve. Author Anthony Pellegrini has conducted a number of careful studies regarding student attentiveness and performance within programs that have recess periods, and those that don't. The data show that students need recess in order to blow off energy and interact with each other in the unstructured recess environment in order to grow socially. The goal of Recess is to help readers realize the importance of recess and counter the trend to eliminate it from schools.

This book appeals to academics, teachers, administrators, and parents.

In recent years, many elementary schools in the U.S. have eliminated or reduced recess, gym classes, and play periods in response to tightened school budgets and an increasing emphasis on testing. Academic psychologist Pellegrini (U. of Minnesota) examines this growing trend and offers research-based evidence favoring the inclusion of play and recess in elementary schools. Coverage includes an overview of the debate over recess, a concise history of play and recess in American schools, the school playground and children's social and cognitive development, gender segregation at recess, gender-based differences in outdoor recess preference, types of playground recess play and games, and the implications of recess theory and research findings for educational policy. For academics, teachers, administrators, and parents.
Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)