Editor’s note: Wellesley Middle School Social Studies students as part of a Civics Action Projects has this week taken over The Swellesley Report‘s letters-to-the-editor page. The students are well-versed in their topics, have carefully researched all angles, and are ready to present their opinions to the community. Thank you to the WMS Social Studies teachers for organizing this community-based project.
To the editor:
We should build cognitive breaks into the school day schedule throughout all WPS schools.
It is important to keep everyones’ minds healthy and happy so they stay healthy and happy, especially kids and teens. Currently, mental health issues are on the rise, primarily among the younger generation. With limited care available for many kids, it can be very difficult to keep kids’ minds thriving and well. The brain can be a very powerful thing. I myself happen to deal with quite a lot of anxiety and stress, and so do more kids than people realize. School can add to a lot of this anxiety and stress and worry for all children, but more so for teens. It is crucial that kids and teens remain happy and thriving in their daily lives, so that they can do well in school and live an enjoyable life.
Studies have shown that taking breaks from doing work can help benefit not just kids and teens, but everyone’s mental health and well-being. Luckily, there are ways that kids’ mental health can benefit. For example, according to a Yale University article published in 2020, “The land conservation community has a unique opportunity to help reverse these trends. Time spent in nature has been associated with improved psychological functioning, overall mental health, and connection to place for children, teenagers, and parents.” Taking breaks in general can be helpful to refocus one’s mind, but going outside has proven to be especially beneficial to the mental health of everyone.
The one tricky thing here is that it isn’t always easy to go outside during the school day, multiple times a day. Our goal is to change the WPS school day schedules a slight bit by incorporating three fifteen minute breaks into everyone’s schedule, including teachers. During this time, students and teachers can go outside in the courtyard of their school, play fun games, walk around, and interact with each other. This small break from the all-day sedentariness of students and teachers can make quite a difference in everyone’s mental health. These breaks allow for students to take their mind off of the stress that can come with school, and allow them to be kids and have a little fun and be at ease.
We eagerly want to make this change happen and see a positive difference in students’ mental health. Results from this being successful will lead to students performing better in school, staying focused during work time, getting better sleep, and, most important of all, being happier all around, whether it is at home or at school.
Although we are at the beginning stages of our process of making change, we believe that if we get enough support for these cognitive breaks in all WPS schools, and work with the stakeholders involved, we can create a positive change in the world that will benefit all.
Thank you.
Aidan Guild
