In doing so, they have begun to mirror their counterparts in countries known for high-powered education. From Germany to Russia to Japan, students' days are heavy on academics and short on free time. Even in France, where morning recess was once common, the practice may lose out to more class time. Students join hands at Jose Artigas Primary School in the Villa Panamericana on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba. Education experts say unstructured play can teach children how to get along.
Some educators argue that play is central to learning.
When you're on school grounds, the focus is academics. Play may have educational value, but it's not our responsibility. Pressure from international competition lies at the heart of Americans' shift in attitude on playtime at school. This federal call to action, highlighting American schoolchildren's poor standing internationally, led to a push for standardized testing. With more emphasis on tests, schools required more time in the school day for test preparation.