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RECESSRECESS

Recess is a period of free play, Recess is a period of free play, usually conducted outdoors. A usually conducted outdoors. A key component of recess is that key component of recess is that it is unstructured and undirected.it is unstructured and undirected.

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Recess vs. Physical EducationRecess vs. Physical Education

Though some people may believe that physical education often Though some people may believe that physical education often resembles recess, they differ in many ways.resembles recess, they differ in many ways.

Structured playStructured play, as in P.E., addresses a child’s physical health and , as in P.E., addresses a child’s physical health and development. It is part of an organized curriculum where the development. It is part of an organized curriculum where the student receives a grade like all other subject areas. Participation student receives a grade like all other subject areas. Participation is not voluntary and free social time is not part of the curriculum.is not voluntary and free social time is not part of the curriculum.

Unstructured playUnstructured play, as in recess, addresses a child’s physical health, , as in recess, addresses a child’s physical health, mental health, social and cognitive developments. It has little or no mental health, social and cognitive developments. It has little or no adult direction and children are allowed to choose their activity, adult direction and children are allowed to choose their activity, activity levels, and degree of social interaction. A child’s activity levels, and degree of social interaction. A child’s imagination and creativity plays a vital role in this type of play, as imagination and creativity plays a vital role in this type of play, as opposed to structured play.opposed to structured play.

While recess is an essential component of the elementary school While recess is an essential component of the elementary school program, it is inappropriate to substitute recess for physical program, it is inappropriate to substitute recess for physical education or physical education for recess.education or physical education for recess.

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Importance of Importance of RecessRecess

There has been an enormous amount of There has been an enormous amount of research conducted on the important research conducted on the important role recess plays in healthy child role recess plays in healthy child development, concluding that recess is development, concluding that recess is necessary for a child’s:necessary for a child’s:

Physical HealthPhysical HealthMental / Emotional HealthMental / Emotional Health

Social Development Social Development Cognitive DevelopmentCognitive DevelopmentAcademic AchievementAcademic Achievement

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Recess is the right of Recess is the right of every child.every child.

Article 31 of the United Nations Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights states Convention on Children’s Rights states that every child has the right to leisure that every child has the right to leisure time. Taking away recess, whether as a time. Taking away recess, whether as a disciplinary measure or abolishing it in the disciplinary measure or abolishing it in the name of work, infringes on that right.name of work, infringes on that right.

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Reduced opportunities for Reduced opportunities for outdoor playtime have been outdoor playtime have been

linked to:linked to:

There is no research or theory to suggest There is no research or theory to suggest that getting rid of recess is good for student that getting rid of recess is good for student achievement.achievement.

School DifficultiesSchool Difficulties Increased Childhood AnxietyIncreased Childhood Anxiety Disconnection from NatureDisconnection from Nature Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Epidemic of Childhood ObesityEpidemic of Childhood Obesity

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Play DeprivationPlay Deprivation

Several studies over the past decade have Several studies over the past decade have looked at the effects of play deprivation looked at the effects of play deprivation and found that an absence of play in and found that an absence of play in supportive, positive context can create supportive, positive context can create adults who are:adults who are:

ViolentViolent Anti-SocialAnti-Social Mentally ImpairedMentally Impaired Emotionally SterileEmotionally Sterile

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RECESS AND RECESS AND PHYSICAL PHYSICAL HEALTHHEALTH

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Being Physically FitBeing Physically Fit

Regular physical activity Regular physical activity promotes health in children just promotes health in children just as it does in adults. It is a fact as it does in adults. It is a fact that physically active children that physically active children are more likely to become are more likely to become physically active adults.physically active adults.

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Childhood Obesity Leads To:Childhood Obesity Leads To: Heart DiseaseHeart Disease DiabetesDiabetes Hypertension (High Blood Hypertension (High Blood

Pressure)Pressure) Colon CancerColon Cancer DepressionDepression

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, American life expectancy will decrease 2-5 years by the year 2040 due to the current childhood obesity epidemic.

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Benefits of Daily Physical Benefits of Daily Physical ActivityActivity

Weight ControlWeight Control Aerobic EnduranceAerobic Endurance Muscular StrengthMuscular Strength Motor CoordinationMotor Coordination Enhanced Muscle GrowthEnhanced Muscle Growth Stimulates the growth of the heart, lungs, Stimulates the growth of the heart, lungs,

and other vital organs.and other vital organs.

Given the short and long-term health benefits of physical activity and the fact that children spend a significant amount of their waking hours at school, it is imperative that they be given ample opportunity for physical activity during school hours.

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RECESS AND RECESS AND MENTAL HEALTHMENTAL HEALTH

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In a 1998 study, two 4In a 1998 study, two 4thth grade classes of grade classes of 25-30 students each were observed for 25-30 students each were observed for attentiveness and fidgetiness before and attentiveness and fidgetiness before and after recess. The study group included five after recess. The study group included five students diagnosed with and medicated students diagnosed with and medicated for attention deficit disorder (ADD). The for attention deficit disorder (ADD). The results showed that the majority of results showed that the majority of students were more attentive and less students were more attentive and less fidgety after recess. fidgety after recess. AllAll of the children of the children diagnosed with ADD were observed to diagnosed with ADD were observed to have benefited from their recess break. have benefited from their recess break. Many experts believe that free play is a far Many experts believe that free play is a far better treatment for ADD/ADHD than better treatment for ADD/ADHD than Ritalin. Ritalin.

Goodbye recess, hello RitalinGoodbye recess, hello Ritalin

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Childhood Stress Can Lead Childhood Stress Can Lead To:To:

Health ProblemsHealth Problems Behavior ProblemsBehavior Problems SleeplessnessSleeplessness WorryWorry AnxietyAnxiety SadnessSadness ExhaustionExhaustion

Today’s children are faced with more stress than any generation of children preceding them. They are experiencing a whole new realm of tight schedules, and high expectations, which often demands that they behave, not as children, but as little adults.

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Studies show that prolonged periods of Studies show that prolonged periods of confinement can lead to:confinement can lead to:

FidgetingFidgeting RestlessnessRestlessness Inability to ConcentrateInability to Concentrate

Furthermore, studies also show that by offering recess it can:

•Relieve Stress•Reduce Anxiety•Improve Attentiveness•Reduce Fidgeting•Increase Self-esteem

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RECESS AND SOCIAL RECESS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

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CooperationCooperation SharingSharing LanguageLanguage Conflict ResolutionConflict Resolution Respect for RulesRespect for Rules Self-DisciplineSelf-Discipline Appreciation for Other People’s Appreciation for Other People’s

CulturesCultures

Recess is the period of time during the school day that allows children the opportunity to interact with peers in a way not usually possible in the typical classroom.

During Recess Children Learn:

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According to a recent study conducted According to a recent study conducted in three San Antonio, Texas schools, in three San Antonio, Texas schools, when denied of opportunities to learn when denied of opportunities to learn socialization skills and develop socialization skills and develop friendships during recess, students friendships during recess, students demonstrated insecure behaviors and demonstrated insecure behaviors and lack of self confidence.lack of self confidence.

An important educational and An important educational and socialization experience is lost when socialization experience is lost when children are not allowed to participate children are not allowed to participate in free play with peers on a regular in free play with peers on a regular basis.basis.

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RECESS AND RECESS AND ACADEMIC/COGNITIVE ACADEMIC/COGNITIVE

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

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Frequent Breaks Can Help Children:Frequent Breaks Can Help Children:

Stay on TaskStay on Task Minimize Disruptive BehaviorMinimize Disruptive Behavior Retain What They LearnRetain What They Learn

Physical activity fuels the brain, making the brain better able to process a variety of information, thus leading to improved retention of facts, a greater understanding of concepts, and the capacity to master new and remember old information.

Studies show that providing more time for physical activity by reducing class time actually leads to increased concentration and stronger academic achievement by improving reading, writing and mathematic test scores.

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The Freedom to Play and Learn ActThe Freedom to Play and Learn Actas cited by House Bill 366 states:as cited by House Bill 366 states:

Numerous national organizations support school recess as an integral Numerous national organizations support school recess as an integral component of a child’s physical, mental, social, and academic component of a child’s physical, mental, social, and academic development.development. The Texas Legislature has shown their support for recess for The Texas Legislature has shown their support for recess for elementary school children by passing Senate Bill 530 (House Bill 366)elementary school children by passing Senate Bill 530 (House Bill 366)

“that the local school health advisory council shall consider and make policy recommendations to the district concerning the importance of daily recess for elementary school students. The council must consider research regarding unstructured and undirected play, academic and social development, and the health benefits of daily recess in making the recommendations. The council shall ensure that local community values are reflected in any such policy recommendation made to the district.”

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Grades CurrentlyGrades Currently KindergartenKindergarten

11stst & 2 & 2ndnd Grade Grade20 minute daily recess20 minute daily recess

(100 minutes per week)(100 minutes per week)30 minute daily recess30 minute daily recess

(150 minutes per week)(150 minutes per week)

33rdrd Grade Grade20 minute recess 3 days20 minute recess 3 days

per weekper week

(60 minute per week)(60 minute per week)

30 minute daily recess30 minute daily recess

(150 minutes per week)(150 minutes per week)

44thth Grade Grade

&&

55thth Grade Grade

NoNo daily recess daily recess**SomeSome students receive a students receive a

weeklyweekly

35 minute recess for being 35 minute recess for being deemed a deemed a

““Terrific Tiger”Terrific Tiger”

(35 minutes per week for (35 minutes per week for some;some;

ZeroZero recess for others) recess for others)

30 minute daily recess30 minute daily recess

(150 minutes per week)(150 minutes per week)

Previous Years* Including all 5 years the elementary was rated Exemplary by the State of

Texas.

This school year a huge change was made to the daily schedule at my own child’s school. Recess, once a staple in the children’s daily routine, has now been greatly reduced and for some students, eliminated.

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Why No Recess?Why No Recess? In my efforts to both understand my school’s current In my efforts to both understand my school’s current

recess policy and to educate my school on the important recess policy and to educate my school on the important role recess plays, I have met with both the elementary role recess plays, I have met with both the elementary principal and the school superintendent. They cite two principal and the school superintendent. They cite two basic reasons for reducing and eliminating recess:basic reasons for reducing and eliminating recess:

1.1. According to the principalAccording to the principal: I require 60 minutes of : I require 60 minutes of instruction time for the core subjects and there was no way instruction time for the core subjects and there was no way to find the time without taking recess and putting it back to find the time without taking recess and putting it back into instruction.into instruction.

2.2. According to the superintendentAccording to the superintendent: Because of a decline in : Because of a decline in reading scores for fifth graders and math scores for fourth reading scores for fifth graders and math scores for fourth graders on last years TAKS, the students are now allowed graders on last years TAKS, the students are now allowed only one “earned recess” a week.only one “earned recess” a week.

Despite the overwhelming amount of research supporting Despite the overwhelming amount of research supporting recess’ impact on a child’s physical health, mental health, recess’ impact on a child’s physical health, mental health, social development, and even academic achievement, the social development, and even academic achievement, the recess policy has not changed.recess policy has not changed.

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Wellness Policy Wellness Policy

My school’s current wellness policy states:My school’s current wellness policy states:

Elementary school will provide daily recess, Elementary school will provide daily recess, preferably outdoors, during which moderate to preferably outdoors, during which moderate to vigorous physical activity will be encouraged. vigorous physical activity will be encouraged. Exceptions may be made by the principal for Exceptions may be made by the principal for circumstances such as shortened days, special circumstances such as shortened days, special events, and altered schedules. events, and altered schedules.

Note: On February 5th, the SHAC clarified their Note: On February 5th, the SHAC clarified their original intent to state “To provide the principal original intent to state “To provide the principal the opportunity to make temporary adjustments the opportunity to make temporary adjustments due to inclement weather, shortened days, or due to inclement weather, shortened days, or unforeseen, unplanned events”.unforeseen, unplanned events”.

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SHAC ChallengesSHAC Challenges

I took part in presenting research regarding recess to my local I took part in presenting research regarding recess to my local SHAC. After reviewing the research, the SHAC made a SHAC. After reviewing the research, the SHAC made a recommendation to the district to reinstate daily recess. recommendation to the district to reinstate daily recess. Many challenges faced during this process include:Many challenges faced during this process include:

1) SHAC Liaison (school nurse) directs the meetings1) SHAC Liaison (school nurse) directs the meetings

2) Administration sets the agenda2) Administration sets the agenda

3) Parent participation is below 50%3) Parent participation is below 50%

4) School Board is not represented4) School Board is not represented

Though the SHAC fulfilled their duty as cited by HB366, the Though the SHAC fulfilled their duty as cited by HB366, the superintendent rejected both the recommendation as well as superintendent rejected both the recommendation as well as thethe clarification in regards to the wellness policy.clarification in regards to the wellness policy.

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In ConclusionIn Conclusion

The research overwhelmingly shows The research overwhelmingly shows that recess is a necessary component that recess is a necessary component of a child’s physical, mental, social, of a child’s physical, mental, social, and academic development. To ignore and academic development. To ignore the benefits of recess could very well the benefits of recess could very well be detrimental to our children’s health be detrimental to our children’s health and well-being. Therefore, recess and and well-being. Therefore, recess and it’s many benefits should remain a part it’s many benefits should remain a part of our children’s daily school routine. of our children’s daily school routine.

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