SB6 - Kentucky

Laura Robie said

As a teacher, parent and grandparent I appreciate the benefits of this bill. Thanks.

christina said

Thank you for supporting this bill. If its mandatory for people in the work place to have several scheduled breaks a day, doesn't it make since that children could benefit from this same concept. They have such short attention spans and need time to unwind several times a day. Not to mention the obesity problem this country is facing. Let's give these kids more chances to get up and move.

Jeanne Nakazawa said

This is a good start, but unstructured play time is even more beneficial to the social and physical development of children. Please pass this bill and then lets start on one to incorporate true unstructured recess into the school day.

Lisa O'Rourke said

It seems so many other programs, like Bullying 101, are being implemented in the schools...but to the detriment of the physical breaks children need. In the U.S., children are in schools longer per year than any other country, yes, even Japan. We need to counter the minutes these kids spend in school with some physical breaks. Children only have a childhood ONCE!

Christie Green said

I support this bill and encourage our lawmakers and state-level education policy makers to give more attention to the importance of physical activity and unstructured play (even for "big" kids) during the school day.

Dr. Scott LaJoie said

I support this bill completely! Routine physical activity is exactly what Kentucky needs. Kids who learn to enjoy being active become adults who are active.

anonymous said

I completely support this bill. Children need physical activity like fresh air and water. As a kid who always had the fidgets in class, I know energy outlets are important for concentration. Of course, unstructured play has innumerable, unnameable benefits beyond the one I mention. Great job KY is this one gets passed!

Toby Wilcher said

While structured physical activity is important, I would also like this bill to incorporate unstructured free play. Study after study shows that free play is essential to both physical and emotional development. Our kids learn a wealth of information on the playground that they do not learn in a structured setting. I urge our legislators to look at some of these studies and give our kids the true recess they need during the school day.

Missy.. said

I agree these children do need some time throughout the day to release pent up energy. I have a grandson with ADHD and 30 minutes a day could some days mean no trip to the office for behavioral problems. All parents , grandparents and anyone who considered themselves a child should support this bill.

John Marks said

This bill is just common sense. Children (and adults) need to be health mentally and physically for many obvious reasons. Unstructured play, as some have suggested as an addition to this bill, would also go far in helping children be children. Children develop all types of social and physical skills while on the playground. Breaks and organized exercise are of course very good, but "child structured play" in addition to "adult stuctured activities" makes good sense if you step back and remember your own childhood. I remeber the freedom and excitement of the "recess bell" I could take classeswork in doses, but I needed to step out of that adult world from time to time just to keep my "kid sanity"! Sometimes it was Red Rover, sometimes it was Hid and Seek, and sometimes I would just run as hard and as far as I could and collapse in the tall grass and look up at the clouds all by myself.

Naomi Schulz said

I support this bill but would like to see provisions for unstructured play breaks during the school-day also. In recent years, many studies of child psychology have shown that periods of free-play improve behavior, reduce stress, increase concentration, and improve learning. Every child has a right to develop their mental, emotional, and physical talents to the best of their abilities. Free-play is essential to the development of all these capacities, and should be a part of every school-day.

Leatha Kendrick said

It only makes sense that children need some break time as much as adults do. Taking a break to take a walk or have some unstructured physical time has been proven to enhance creativity and concentration. This bill is a step in the right direction.

Amy Richards said

I support this bill because I believe recess is an important part of school. It gives kids time to be kids and release energy, and refocus. I also believe that doing away with recess will contribute to childhood obesity. So much is expected of children in school now and they to deserve a break!

Katie Startzman said

I support this bill and would like to see the addition of unstructured play time for students. Kids need play to balance all the work they are being asked to do in school.

Lekey L. said

As a student who has endured the lack of breaks that currently are the norm in public school, I support this bill. Kids need unstructured time to help process information, and physical activity promotes a healthy way of life. Also, play is essential to children's well being and healthy development. Any break is better than none! This is definitely a big step in the right direction for public schools.

PLEASE support this bill.

Melissa Harris said

We had breaks or recess when we where in school. Our kids need a break too, just like we did when we where in school..They can't sit there all day without a break. What are we gonna have to do now days, take our kids out of school and do home schooling...You guys are taking everything away from the children now days..Look how many kids are getting in trouble now..You didn't see that when we where kids...Schools have already taken holiday parties away from them and religion, what else are you gonna take away??????? No wonder the world is like it is now.....

Susan Wills-Montgomery said

Socialization is very important to school-aged children and their tdevelopment. It is important for children to have an opportunity during their school day to socialize with each other. I realize that this bill is currently for a structured activity but I hope that it can someday include non-structured activity which is more conducive to socialization needs. I also support this bill because children, as adults, need time during their long school day to take a break from learning. Such breaks allow children to relax and focus better attention on class room activities than they would not having a few breaks throughout the day. Also, children who are hyper or who have behavior problems need breaks to let out built up energy and let off steam.

Erin Connor said

Children need regular breaks from desk work, just as adult workers do. I am the parent of an elementary-aged child and am also an educator working with older children. Extensive research has clearly shown the many benefits of regular breaks for children. Additionally, increased physical activity is greatly needed for our children and can help reduce stress as well as increase mental focus throughout the day. I support this bill but would like to emphasize the need for unstructured play time as well.

Stephanie Mobley Woodie said

In order for learning to take place kids need a break. Sitting at a desk all day is counterproductive to learning. In Denmark, where the obesity rate is minimal, for every 50 minutes that kids are in class they get a 10 minute recess. This makes sense to me. Please give our children what they need in school which is daily physical activity. Optimal learning can't take place if our kids are unhealthy. Physical activity is necessary for health!!

Susan R. said

Please pass this bill that will be the first step in reducing stress and anxiety for our children in school. It should be nothing more than common sense to allow our kids time to step away from school work and do what is so natural and essential for children. In a very short time you will see that behavior, grades, attention span, etc. will all improve.