A new study surveyed 130 primary and high school teachers about their views on school break times.
Articles on Recess
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Time to play, move, connect with peers and breathe is a vital part of learning and essential to academic motivation.
The physical activity and social connection that take place at recess help children be more engaged once back in the classroom.
Conflicts at recess, averaging one every three minutes, greatly disrupt children’s play activities. However, a well-designed school layout can reduce the problem.
Problems include no fields, no courts for games, no playgrounds, no bike racks and no traffic-calming surrounding the school. Bringing in minimum standards is important.
Children need time to play and be outside. That will be true even if instructional hours are cut short due to social distancing.
Global experts in child development say recess will be critical for children’s well-being when schools reopen, so education authorities should see planning recess as a high priority.
The cost and the hassles involved can stand in the way of kids joining teams and taking part in organized activities. So can cultural barriers.
Top contributors
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Research Scientist (Diversity and Equity in Schools), Diversity Insitute, Toronto Metropolitan University
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Assistant Professor of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University
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Professor of Education, The University of Melbourne
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Postdoctoral Visitor, York University
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Assistant Professor of Law and Society, Wilfrid Laurier University
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Research Fellow, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW
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Associate Professor of Education, Charles Sturt University
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Professor, University of California, Santa Cruz
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Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in School-Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
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Research Associate & Lecturer, Center for Leadership in Athletics, University of Washington