Would you ever take your child's recess away as punishment?

Question

I have been know to tell the teacher that my child is not allowed to use the computer as part of a punishment but that goes back to the no computer rule we have when they are grounded. Any research that needs to be done can done by hand. But I would never take away recess as a punishment. They work all day I think they need the few 15 minutes of freedom they get. What do you think?

Answer 1

one day without recess wont kill your child. In fact, It will definitely make them realize the consequences of their actions and in some cases prevent them from acting out in school. im 23 and i still remember 2nd grade when the teacher took away recess. The child can play at home but it does serve as a learning lesson.

Answer 2

Dicey question.  I think the bottom line is "what was the infraction that cause this discipline"?  No, I do not believe that this should be used as a casual punishment, there are many other better options.  If a teacher is doing this on a constant basis, it needs to be brought to the attention of the guidance counselor AND the administration.  It seems that too often in our schools today, the very outlets the kids need for development are taken away too easily....look at what we as a society have done to PE and music.  Recess is one of the students last chance at having any type of creative enhancements,.  It is so important for us to help keep the creative outlets in our schools and not take them away...especially due to budget cuts...

Answer 3

I think that would be acceptable.  If they do something wrong they pay a price.

Answer 4

As a general rule, a child should only receive one minute of "time out" per year of their age plus one.  For example, if your child is 5, they should receive no more than 6 minutes of time out at a time.  Much longer than that and they probably won't even remember why you put them in time out to begin with.

I have been a teacher for years and taking away recess completely depends on the child.  If your child does not enjoy recess, taking it away as a punishment will not have the desired effect.  I personally use it in my classroom, but only when appropriate and by the above mentioned guidelines.

Answer 5

I think that taking recess away is wrong especially if the offense happened inside.  Children in school especially need that physical activity after sitting all day.  With the increase of childhood obesity, they need their recess more than ever!  I mean take away the computer or the video games before their outside play.  I don't think that a teacher should take it away either because like I said, we have a generation of obese children and we need to do everything that we can to help them!

Answer 6

I think that it is wrong who ever takes it away! Recess is free time for the kids. Taking that away is wrong! That's like your boss getting mad and taking away your break! Find another punishment. Recess is wrong to be taken away.  

Answer 7

punishments are to be kept at home . . .sometimes teachers have specific websites they want you to visit, sometimes they have specific programs they want the student to do. School is not all lecturing and research anymore. It's a lot of hands on and interactive learning and many teachers like to use the computer to do so. Also, research, even on the computer is not fun, how do you punish someone by not letting them do something that is not fun? I agree with you about the recess but 15 min.? That's so short. They're kids, they need to run around more. (Plus, humans learn better when their active. Especially kids)  

Answer 8

i agree with you - kids need that few  moments of freedome

even if they are grounded

i think when kids get grounded they still need to have some freedome and it needs to be spelled out to them exactly what they are grounded from

I also do not like the idea of computers in the schools because - what is wrong with the old fashioned method of studying and researching - nothing ! and the net has too many things kids can get caught up in

Answer 9

Some of the schools here take away recess or will take away 5-10 minutes of their recess if they do certain things but I don't always agree with doing that because some kids only behave worse if confined to a classroom.  I know my son needs that running time to get off extra energy in order for him to continue to sit for lessons.  

Answer 10

gee you are a cruel parent...get therapy, why is it so important to you to beat your child down such??

Answer 11

I have no problem with teachers if they misbehave in class they can make up for it at recess. If a kid doesn't do their homework they can do it at recess. But parents shouldn't take away recess.

Answer 12

Recess time has rapidly declined in recent years as schools and school districts are under high pressure to reach their AYP (adequate yearly progress) goal, and therefore are spending more time stressing the academic aspects of school.  Time to relax and unwind is key for young children to function.  However, recess is the only part of school that some children prize highly; if they are misbehaving and disrupting the class, privileges must be taken away.  Not having fun while your friends are hits home for many children, so I think taking away recess is an appropriate privilege to be taken away as a consequence for bad behavior.  The child should still be allowed to be outside to get fresh air and sunshine but not permitted to play; rather, s/he should sit out.  

Answer 13

Every child needs to get outside for you and the child. You can enjoy yourself when the child isn't bugging you 24/7 and the can get out their energy

Answer 14

for a child the punishment should be to take away something they value, so they will think seriously about doing that again. What is your child's currency? video games, riding bikes, crayons?  Take the currency away for a brief time. When they get that back do another explanation, short, of why this was done, and that you want them to say they are 'sorry' for the behavior.

Answer 15

I don't think taking recess away is a good punishment at all.  As a matter in fact, one time I found out that my daughters teacher took recess away because she hadn't done her homework.  I was outraged.  I was never notified.  If I was, I would have suggested something else, but not recess.  Kids need to get out and get some air for a few minutes, whether they break the rules or not.

Answer 16

I would rather have there recess taken away instead of their hands hit with a ruler. Remember the good old days?

Answer 17

that will be the worst thing in your life... give the child break of 5 minutes after every half an hour

Answer 18

I do not think that whatever is going on at home should carry out into school.  Teachers have better things to do than carry out your punishments.  Nowadays, they have so much going on with split families and dealing with which parent should get which papers, and all that mess, you punish your way and let them do their job.