Prevent Bullying? Try Recess
It sounds way too simple. But a new study says recess -- when organized right -- can reduce bullying, while making students feel safer and learn better in school, according to Emma Brown of The Washington Post. We're not talking free-for-all, but recess using coaches "who introduce and oversee games and activities that are meant to be vigorous, fun and inclusive." She cites Playworks, a national nonprofit that runs recess programs in low-income schools, who use Americorps volunteers as the coaches. They teach kids to cheer each other on and to resolve their disputes amicably and fairly, Brown writes. Playworks coaches are on duty in nearly two dozen cities, she notes. Some pediatricians feel recess is just as important as math and language arts. Time magazine reported last year that "Pediatricians. . . support the importance of having a scheduled break in the school day." “Children need to have downtime between complex cognitive challenges,” Dr. Ro...