I read this article this morning and it really hit home with me.

U.S. school children need less work, more play: study

I grew up with 5 minute breaks between 2 school hours (45 minutes = 1 school hour) and 15 minute breaks after every two hours with a longer lunch break, if you had more than 6 hours of school. Here, they are struggling to give the kids one, just one measly 15 minute break during the whole school day from 7:50AM to 2:30PM. There is never enough time to teach the kids all that they are expected to learn – what is mandated by the school system – is the reasoning. The kids have to learn more and play less, get out their natural energy less. I could go into rising obesity and ADD/ADHD children here, but I won’t.

The most interesting sentence is at the END of the article. Apparently, Asian countries do recognize the need for the brain to have some off time in order to function better, learn better  and for the kids to be able to concentrate. Social interaction and some exercise is important to kids as well. The funny part is that I have heard so many times that Japan is so far ahead of the US education-wise, because they drill them more, kids play less and school is their life. That is not entirely true. Apparently, they  have implemented a better learning system.

When my father went to study in Heidelberg, Germany and had to learn, learn, learn, he was advised to study for 45 minutes and get a 10 minute break. That was way back when. So, this has been around for a while and is nothing new.

Oh, I could see this to be the next new thing for our county to implement. At least it won’t change the curriculum, like it has been happening every year since we have been here. Maybe the kids would learn a bit more a bit better. I would not mind that one bit!