There’s been a debate whether primary schools have shifted more of their attention towards learning, and undermined the importance of playing. This essay will argue for both methods to be applied in moderation, as balance is often the key for healthy mind and body.
With our world entering an era of progress and innovation, the accumulation of knowledge has become one of primary necessities for secure and prosperous future. This is why it was advised to introduce all kinds of learning methods and teach them from an early age. Therefore, primary schools have become no exceptions. Children are taught not only how to write and multiply, but also how to properly analyse and process all kind of complex information, and additionaly incorporate those skills in their daily routine. Consequently, they are given more homework and an enormous amount of information to memorize. On one hand, this practice can be a huge boost to the brain’s cognitive functioning, but on the other hand, studying is often an arduous activity than requires taking brakes in between.
Naturally, this is where playing comes up. Adding 10 minute brakes in between each class session can reset a child’s brain and relieve it of stress. This is why running, playing hide and seek, or just walking becomes a way of cooling down the brain and freshening up the body. When kids play, their nervous system becomes more relaxed, which then triggers all kinds of happy hormons that assist in regulation of mood and stress. As a result, children are more inclined to return to active, and not passive, studying, being more focused and concentrated on new tasks at hand.
In conclusion, I believe that primary schools should be places were studying and playing come together, hand in hand. Forcing formal learning without small, frequent breaks can do more harm, than good. This is why recreation shouldn’t be labeled as unnecessary, but applied as an asset for body reset that can latter have positive effects for learning and memorizing myriads of information.