The importance of playtime in school

The Jewish Academy of Orlando has extended recess for all grades to 45 minutes. In addition to extended recess time, lunch for all grades is 30 minutes, and a mid-morning break of 15 minutes is included in the daily schedule.  

In recent years, many schools have lessened the amount of time that students spend in free play. In fact, experts find that the decrease may be significantly impacting the social and emotional development of our children. Comparatively speaking, recess only became mandatory in Orange County in December 2016, according to the Orlando Sentinel.  Both Seminole and Orange counties require only 20 minutes. Jewish Academy of Orlando offers more than double that time for recess.  

“The Power of Play,” published by the American Academy of Pediatrics posits that “Children need to develop a variety of skill sets to optimize their development and manage toxic stress. Play enhances brain structure and function. Play promotes executive function (i.e. focus on the process of learning, rather than the content presented), which allows individuals to pursue goals and ignore distractions.”

Children need a balanced curriculum that includes playful learning for the promotion of healthy child development.

“I am thrilled that JAO has extended recess time for their students. Schools are so focused on academic performance and student output yet overlook the importance of the social-emotional learning piece that is fostered through recreational activity. High expectations are demanded of young students, but we must remember that they are still children and deserve to take breaks. I believe that JAO has mastered the holistic approach to educating mindful, well-rounded children,” stated Danielle Glover, counselor. 

Recess and play may also help prevent mental health disorders in children. Education Week cited Dr. Peter Gray, a research professor at Boston College as explaining “Rates of depression and anxiety among young people in America have been increasing steadily for the past 50 to 70 years.” He continues to explain that “Today, by at least some estimates, five to eight times as many high school and college students meet the criteria for diagnosis of major depression and/or anxiety disorder as was true half a century or more ago.”

With the decline in the amount of time students spend in free play, it is suggested that “Free play and exploration are, historically, the means by which children learn to solve their own problems, control their own lives, develop their own interests, and become competent in pursuit of their own interests.”

According to Amy Polacek, interim director of academics, “Jewish Academy of Orlando truly believes in educating the whole child, and we have a dual-focus as educators. We foster both academic excellence and social-emotional growth, cultivating values of kindness, self-awareness, mindfulness, and character.”

Alan Rusonik, head of school added, “While we are extremely proud of our students’ academic achievements, we are focused on graduating children that are happy, confident, love to learn, and know how to get along with their peers; students that are ready for the world!” 

Jewish Academy of Orlando serves central Florida students of all faiths from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. The school delivers a whole-child education fostering academic excellence and character education rooted in Jewish values. Jewish Academy of Orlando is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools.  

To learn more about Jewish Academy of Orlando, please visit: jewishacademyorlando.org or follow the school on Facebook facebook.com/JewishAcademyOrlando/