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Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7 pm.
Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo!
I'm just bouncing this ball.
Yeah, I can see that.
But what are you doing?
Oh, just bouncing this ball here.
Yeah, I get that.
But when I asked you if you wanted to come over to pop water balloons with our armpits, you said you had scientific research to do.
And this does not look scientific to me, Guy Raz.
Oh, well, I am doing scientific research.
Really?
So I guess you're going to tell me that you're doing a physics experiment on acceleration and velocity by bouncing that ball.
Uh, well, actually, no.
I was just bouncing this ball.
Huh.
And I guess you're gonna tell me that you're measuring acceleration based on Earth's gravity at 98 meters per second, per second.
Well, yes.
I guess I could plot this bouncing ball on a graph according to Earth's gravitational forces.
But really, I promise Mindy, I'm just
But, Guy Raz, you said you couldn't come over to crack water balloons with me because you were too busy doing scientific research something about brain cognition and this does not look like scientific research to me.
Oh, I am, Mindy.
That's why I'm taking a break.
A break?
Guy Raz, earlier today you said you couldn't hang out with me because you were so busy studying how the human brain takes an information and keeps it inside our brain and blah blah blah, blah.
Well, I was, but after a while, I just couldn't concentrate anymore, you know?
In fact, Mindy, I couldn't even understand what I was reading anymore.
Oh, yeah.
So that part is because I accidentally changed the language on your computer to Portuguese.
What?
And then I couldn't read the instructions on how to change it back because I don't speak Portuguese.
So that is what that's all about.
Anywho, so you decided to take a much-needed break?
Well, yeah.
I'm actually starting to feel a little refreshed.
Oh, yeah?
How so?
Well Mindy, have you noticed that when you're reading or working on math problems for a long time, you start to get a little fidgety?
Yes, and not even the car tire that I use for a fidget spinner works.
And don't you just want to jump up and down and run around and maybe play make-believe or just...
Daydream?
Yes!
I do all of those things, Guy Raz.
In fact, that's why I got kicked out of the nail salon last week.
Ow.
Wait, were you spying on me?
No, no, no.
What?
I mean, what you're talking about is exactly the kind of stuff I need to do when I've been concentrating for a long time.
And then, like, every hour or so, I just gotta get out there and get my ya-ya's out, you know?
Well, that's just it, Mindy.
You need to recharge, to re-energize, to regroup, because it's hard to sit still for such a long time.
Oh yeah, which is why my favorite time of day is recess.
Yes, yes, recess is one of my favorite parts of the day too.
It actually makes us smarter and Better learners.
Hold the phone, Guy Raz.
You're telling me that running around a big open field like a bunch of screaming, laughing wild maniacs is actually making us smarter.
Yes.
What?
Mindy Mindy.
Over the past few years, a lot of schools in America have shortened their recess times because kids are learning a lot more things in school today.
Which is great, but... Big but.
What?
It means that we have to cram so much classroom time into one little school day that we have less and less time for recess.
Exactly.
And while that might seem like a good idea, you know less recess, more time for math and reading and spelling and geography and art and history and science.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
It also means less time for just running around on the playground.
I'm still not entirely clear on how running around a playground makes us smarter.
Well, here's the amazing thing, Mindy.
Researchers known as kinesiologists, or scientists who study the movement of humans and animals.
Well, they've been studying this very question.
You mean what the connection is between moving our bodies and learning stuff?
Yes, and you know what they've been discovering?
What?
Well, they've been finding more and more evidence or facts and clues that have led them to conclude that recess time, especially for kids, makes it a lot easier for kids to learn in classrooms.
Well, this is great news.
How did they figure this out?
Well, there's one particular kinesiologist in Texas named Debbie Ray, and she's looked at schools where kids have more recess time than kids at other schools.
Where?
Well, a good example is the country of Finland.
Finland?
You mean that country that's all the way up at the top of Europe and sandwiched right in between Russia and Sweden?
That Finland?
Yep.
So if you look at a map, you can see Norway, which is sort of like a giant spoon.
And next to it is Sweden and then Finland So what did she find in Finland?
Well, Finland is one of the countries in the world where kids tend to score really, really high on international tests, Tests that kids in countries all around the world take to see how much they're learning Interesting.
So do we know the secret as to why kids in Finland are scoring so high?
Well, there are a number of hypotheses based on some scientific evidence.
And those hypotheses include things like really, really well-paid teachers, for starters.
Oh, I like the sound of well-paid teachers, Guy Raz.
Listen to that.
Okay, okay, teachers, that's enough.
Yep, just dial it back a notch.
Yep, teachers, teachers.
There's another hypothesis, and it has to do with recess and break times.
So, do kids in Finland get a lot of recess?
Mindy, kids in Finland, on average, get 15 minutes of recess every 45 minutes.
And that means that in an average day, kids in Finland can get about 1 hour and 30 minutes of recess.
What?
Wait a minute, Guy Raz.
It sounds to me like you're describing paradise.
Well um Reggie, get your snowmuffs on you nutty old bird, as we're flying to Finland to do some scientific observation.
Well, I'm not sure we can just show up.
I mean, we should probably notify people in Finland that We're coming to No time for that, Guy Raz.
I'm about to climb the monkey bars in Finland.
Reggie, don't forget to pack my jump rope.
Uh, I'm not sure.
Now is the time to actually fly to Guy Raz.
Hold on to your ham sandwich, because we're about to hit the first like in Kenta we can find.
Like a kenta?
Oh, yeah.
I'm just brushing up on my Finnish as we speak.
See, right here on page 172, the word for playground in Finnish is like a kenta.
Well, well, I think actually most Finns speak pretty good English.
Reggie, we're going to need some cabbage rolls and some moose jerky.
Oh.
Next stop?
Helsinki!
Do you think this is really a good idea?
Guy Raz, we're flying a carrier pigeon to Finland.
Of course this is not a good idea.
What?
You ready?
Here... We... Go!
Got those ice skates for Reggie's talons.
Never knew when those were gonna come in handy.
Man, there's so much ice on the ground over here.
I think I should have ordered some of those custom skates for my posterior.
Posterior?
You mean your tush?
Oh, you mean your buns.
Oh, gluteus maximus.
Your hiney?
Oh, you're talking about your patootie, aren't you?
Yes, yes, yes, Mindy.
I didn't ask for a human thesaurus, but... This ice feels so much better.
What?
Well, you better hop off your caboose mister, because we have arrived in the capital of Finland and time is a-wastin'.
We need to find a school stat.
Okay, but where are we going to find a... Over here, Guy Raz.
Come on.
It looks like there's a school just at the end of this road.
Hurry up.
I hear the recess bell.
Here, hop on my back.
Wow.
Look at all these kids, Mindy.
They're playing outside in the middle of this.
You know it doesn't look all that different from recess in America.
I mean just a bunch of kids playing on the monkey bars and running around and blowing off some steam.
Speaking of steam, I could use a hot mug of hot cocoa right now.
You know, Mindy, this is exactly what a lot of researchers have observed.
Kids running around in snow suits on a Helsinki playground?
Yes, because they wanted to see if kids in Finland concentrate better than kids in other countries with less recess.
So what did they find?
Well, they found that in schools where kids have more time for free play, You know, to explore the playground, to run around to daydream.
They actually focused better when they got back to class.
Yeah, it sounds like they had some time to get their ya-ya's out and clear their brains a little.
In fact, two years ago, a few schools in Texas, including Eagle Mountain Elementary School in Fort Worth, started to give kids more breaks, more time for recess.
Texas?
Well, what are we doing in Finland, Guy Raz?
Reggie, saddle up and put We're going to Texas.
Well, we don't really need to go to Texas.
I mean, we can just write up our notes back at the lab at my house.
Okay, Reggie, change of plans.
We're heading back to the lab.
Hop on, Guy Raz.
You better strap in because here we go! with Reggie on softer landings.
Yeah, you know, we tried it.
But I just felt like Reggie was too over-scheduled.
I mean, between Spanish lessons, and chess club, and taekwondo, and swimming, and cotillion.
I mean, we barely even had time to just stop and smell the roses.
Well.
And anyway, I don't even think colleges look at all that extracurricular stuff anyway.
So it's really not that.
You had Reggie in taekwondo?
Oh, yeah.
We tried it all.
Taekwondo. karate, but let me tell you, this pigeon couldn't even do the...
And he never really got into that whole wax on, wax off thing.
Yeah, okay.
Well anyway, now that we're back in the lab, let me compare our observations from that school in Helsinki with a study that was done by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
You mean that prestigious group of doctors that looks after kids?
Yeah, pediatricians.
Yeah.
And the Academy of Pediatrics does lots of research on things that are helpful for kids.
Like what?
Giving them more recess?
Yes.
In fact, Mindy.
In a study published by the Academy, the pediatricians wrote that recess time is crucial for kids and that it provides cognitive emotional, social and physical benefits.
Cognitive benefits?
Yeah, so good for the brain and good for learning.
And emotional benefits?
Yeah, good at helping kids stay happy and grounded.
And social benefits?
Yeah, good at helping kids learn how to get along with other kids.
Okay, got it.
And you also said physical benefits.
Yep, good at helping kids stay healthy and strong.
Well done.
That sounds like an open and shut case, Sherlock.
And what's really cool is that other schools in Texas are watching Eagle Mountain Elementary School to see the effects of more recess on the kids.
Well, Guy Raz, while you were taking notes in Finland, I put together the perfect plan for school.
Here, take a look.
Hmm, let's see here.
Bell rings.
Recess.
Then snack.
Then classroom discussion on the science of recess.
And some more recess.
Then a math study on the average time it takes to get from the classroom to the playground.
Then another recess break.
Then lunch.
Uh, Mindy?
Yeah?
I'm not sure the American Academy of Pediatrics quite had this in mind.
Oh, yeah, well, I just thought I would make some of my own scientific recommendations.
Uh, well, uh, this sounds like... Like a plan?
Come on, let's get some hot cocoa.
Sounds good.
But first, let me just crane kick this bouncy ball into Mr. Miyagi's backyard.
What?
Hey!
Who keeps doing this?
Wow in the World will be right back.
Grown-ups, this message is for you.
Hey, grown-ups.
It's Mindy and Guy Raz here from Wow in the World.
Mindy and I have some Wow in the World toys out in the world just in time for the holidays.
Made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't yet.
From our 100 experiments, that wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit.
Our Wow in the World toys help your wowzer learn about their world through play.
Plus, You can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your wowzer discover even more wows.
Grownups.
Give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest Wow in the World toys designed with your curious wowzer in mind.
You can shop our Wow in the World toys at Tinkercast.com slash toys.
That's Tinkercast.com slash toys.
Hi, what's your name?
Hi, I'm Felix and I'm 10 years old.
Felix, we just learned that recess is really important for kids to be able to learn.
Do you agree with that?
Well, first of all, school does teach you pretty cool things like fractions and stuff like that.
Fractions are the coolest.
Yeah, we just learned them.
So Felix, if recess is so good for kids, do you think recess would also be good for grown-ups?
Yes.
What if you were in charge of teaching recess to grown-ups?
Having a break, stretching your legs, maybe going to get some lunch or a milkshake from In-N-Out.
What if they had a field just like at school and they had to go outside and play in it together?
I would have them have soccer teams or football teams or banana tag.
I don't know.
What's banana tag?
The game, like, everyone's it.
Wait a minute.
If everyone's it, then who's being tagged?
Everyone.
So if people tag each other at the same time, then you have to do Rochambeau.
What's that?
Rock, paper, scissors.
Ah.
Who do you think would be better at recess, kids or grown-ups?
Probably kids.
How do you be a kid?
You're a professional kid.
How long have you been a kid for?
Ten and a half years.
So as an expert kid, do you have any words of advice for grown-ups on how to be a kid?
So how to be a kid?
Okay.
First of all, I'm not a perfect kid, so I like to argue with my parents sometimes.
But it never gets you anywhere, so I wouldn't really do that.
So good word of advice is think of things that would be fun to play with your friends, and then talk to them.
And if they want to do it, that's great.
Step number two, get lots of Legos and build them.
And you have to read Harry Potter or watch Star Wars, whatever one's best for you.
But it has to be awesome.
And if you had to give grown-ups one word of advice for regular recess, what would it be?
Have fun and be nice.
No fights.
Felix, it was really fun talking with you today.
You sound like a recess expert.
I am.
Bye!
Hey, thanks so much for listening to Wow in the World this week.
And parents, if you want to continue the conversation with your kids.
We've posted some questions about this episode at our website, wowintheworldcom.
And while you're there, you can find links to some of the sources we used to tell our stories this week.
Also, we love hearing from you.
You can write us at hello at wowintheworld.com.
Our show is produced by Jed Anderson.
Say hello, Jed.
Hello.
Our theme song, Wow in the World, was written and performed by The Pop-Ups.
Check them out at thepopups.com.
Special thanks to Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Jessica Boddy, Chelsea Erson and Alex Curley for helping to make this show possible.
And a big shout out to ten-and-a-half-year-old professional kid Felix for being part of our show today.
Felix, don't argue with your parents.
Also, we love hearing what's been wowing you.
For a chance to be featured on an upcoming Thursday episode.
Have your grown-ups help you share something that's recently wowed your world by dialing 1-888-7WOWOW.
Thanks again for listening, subscribing, and telling your friends about our show.
We'll be back for a brand new Thursday edition.
In the meantime, go forth and find your own wow in the world.
And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at wondery.com slash survey.
