<!--[if gte mso 9]&gt; Normal 0 0 1 485 2768 23 5 3399 11.1287 &lt;![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]&gt; 0 0 0 &lt;![endif]-->Recess. The word invites a rush of memories for most of us adults, whether remembrances of freedom or flashbacks to schoolyard bullying. My own memories of those moments of benign anarchy are happy, though peppered with the occasional tears and scrapes.

I stroll past the PS 29 playground daily and watch kids of all ages enjoying their unstructured 30 minutes (and yes, sometimes spy on my daughter). And free-form it is, though monitors stand by to break up a fight or hand out hula hoops if an accessory is needed. From what I've gathered from my daughter, that post-lunch period is an opportunity for inventing games, cementing friendships, and even toughening up against the elements. I know how much energy it takes for her to hold it together through all the lessons and activities kindergarten presents, so I'm happy for her to be able to let loose, even if that means running in circles or just staring up at the sky.

What to do, though, when break time is not so carefree? Enter the recess coach, as described in a recent New York Times article. These professionals are being hired by a growing number of schools (most described were in Newark) to tame excessive schoolyard rowdiness–or motivate kids who can't seem to amuse themselves during their down time. The coaches and schools interviewed seem to truly believe that they're teaching kids constructive games and problem-solving skills– and combating obesity by getting their bodies moving. But the article raises a question: is it really recess, and can kids truly decompress, if rules and structure are imposed upon their play? My reaction was: No–they're taking away recess! For goodness sakes, let these kids learn to work out problems on their own.<!--more-->

Perhaps, as a friend of mine believes (and I agree), traditional recess and its occasional unpleasantness "are rites of passage for kids." But what about when extreme cases of bullying and "Lord of the Flies" type behavior turn tragic, as seen with the recent Phoebe Prince suicide? That's an extreme example, sure, but can recess, in some cases, be a breeding ground for such toxic situations?

My friend's husband, who is a high school teacher, observes that "as kids get older, unstructured time at school is less and less productive." Do kids need to be taught to channel all that energy, lest it turn negative (if recess aides–much less coaches–could even be afforded in this time of budget cuts)? Where to draw the line between allowing kids to cut loose, and making them toe the line?

What do you think of the idea of recess coaches? How does your school handle schoolyard problems? And, is there enough supervision?