In recent years elementary schools have cut way back on "specials" time. "Specials" are classes such as art, music, and gym class that students attend each week in a seperate classroom from their home room, with a field specialized teacher. As a ninteen year old, I can remember even the short time ago when I myself was in elementary school looking forward every week to these fun activities that allowed my classmates and I to learn in a more non-traditional setting, because at that young age it doesn't feel like learning at all. Time each week continues to be cut from these activities as years progress. Recess time has also been on a steady decline in recent years. The students in elementary school are not being given an appropriate amount of time in these "specials" in my opinion, although children do need to understand their core subjects in order to learn new subjects. "Specials" are being cut due to lack of cash flow in the school system, as well as updated State Standards that each teacher must meet by the end of each school year. With the amount of State Standards needing to be met in subjects such as math, english, science, ect. there is little time left over for anything extra. The question I would like to raise is this, how is this affecting children's stress level, and ability to focus on their work?
Although I feel many would like to beleive that a child should have the maturity level of an adult, we must remember that at an elementary school level especially, children must be children first and foremost. This is especially true in the lower elementary (k-3). I personally feel that a child will not learn as well in a cold, strict learning environment as they would in a fun friendly atmosphere. Teaching in a "black and white" format will not give the child the advantages in the long run, where making learning exciting and almost tricking them into learning information will stick with them because they enjoyed themselves. There are also many talents that individuals possess that cannot be accurately discovered by sitting a child in a classroom all day every day, and giving them opportunities to explore other interests they might possess. This is where the "specials" come into play, when I was a cadet teacher in high school I worked in a kindergarten classroom where I saw children struggle with reading, but once a paintbrush was in their hands you would never know they didn't do well in school. These "specials" also allow children to burn off some energy by doing fun activities, sitting in a desk all day at such a young age is very difficult for some children. Even adults need movement to stimulate their brains, how can we expect anyone to learn to their full potential when we are taking away the tools to a well rounded education?
