It might just be a coincidence that I sat down at my computer to blog about recess, opened my facebook, and found this wonderful article about play. The article talks about the how little free playtime children have compared to just a decade or two ago and how valuable play is to development. The earlier children start structured school programs, the less time they are allowed unstructured play time, how sad. Recess or free play time affords children the opportunity to create, to imagine, to experiment, and to try out what they have learned. Studies show that recess improves learning and critical thinking. Social interaction, in a recess setting, fosters cooperation and healthy relationships. Add to all of these benefits, the joy of moving and the benefits of physical activity. But best of all, recess briefly releases the child from the responsibility and stress of the tasks at hand, allowing the chance to refresh the body and the mind before beginning again, and for this last reason, we never outgrow recess. Besides, it’s a lot more fun than going to the gym, and studies also show that adults are more productive after active or social breaks.
Although programs like Action For Healthy Kids and NFL Play 60 advocate for more recess and PE during and after school, the push for better scores on standardized tests continue to squelch their efforts. So, both of these programs and many others are taking the message into communities and into homes. Ironically, if your kids actively play, they get better scores on those standardized tests, and that goes for middle and high school kids as well. Sitting still all day just doesn’t benefit anyone. Organizations don’t win battles for more recess, though; parents do, especially when they band together. Regardless of how much play time your kids get when they are away from you, the whole family benefits from recess at home.
In warm weather, all your really have to do is get the kids outside and pick an activity. For those of us who live in colder, wintery climates, active play seems difficult for most families. My sisters and I slept in a big dormer-style bedroom with wooden floors that my mother polished to a shine. One of our favorite games was to turn out the lights and propel ourselves across that long room on pillows, trying to shock our playmates and make sparks fly. How we came up with this game, I don’t remember, but we played until we were totally exhausted from the movement and the laughter. Did we get hurt? Occasionally, heads would get knocked together or someone would catch a splinter, but we recovered quickly, and Mom was handy with the tweezers and a bandage. She was never rattled by our crazy games, as long as they weren’t too high risk (she did nix jumping off the top bunk into a pile of pillows). They didn’t always play with us, but Mom and Dad never discouraged active play, and sometimes we could entice them to join us. Of course, technology wasn’t that great, so we didn’t have that temptation.
In the summer, my own family still plays lawn games, which I am so happy to see regaining popularity. The winter was always a challenge though. My girls loved to walk, when they were little, regardless of the weather. We just bundled up and went. If it got really bitter, I would tell them to put on a bathing suit or sundress while I hunted up some “Surf Boys” (their name for the Beach Boys) tunes, and we would have a rockin’ awesome beach party. This game required a picnic lunch on beach towels, of course. We have a house with several sets of stairs, so hide-and-go-seek was active in all of its renditions, and I have been sucked into more fantasies than I could dream up in a lifetime. Their play was always my salvation, and even now, they delight and amuse me with their ideas for de-stressing. In respect to play, I have always encouraged them to “never grow up.”
The greatest part of recess is that you don’t have to plan it. You just turn off the TV and move away from technology. The kids will do the rest. Before you know it, you’ll be bringing back your own favorite childhood amusements and helping them concoct new forms of entertainment. How do you and your kids spend recess? Do you know how much recess your kids’ school offers?
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{ 28 comments }
I think Bill Cosby had a bit about jungle gyms being adult's way of knocking off kids, lol!
I'm going to have to dig that up. I love Bill Cosby!
They have PE year around and they have 30 minutes a lunch
recess for 30 minutes…
Our family still plays outdoor games, also!
Frisbee and baseball are two of our favorites.
Thanks, Cindi
Nerfs are still great for indoors too!
My daughter is in first grade and they have no scheduled recess. I was taken aback when i first found this out after the first week of school. They have physical education three times a week and that is supposedly when, sometimes, they get to go out to play. I know here and there, there is a day where they get some time on the playground and break from constantly having school work to do. This happens rarely. I think the lack of break during the day to play on the playground and breathe fresh air, really has an impact on my child. Some days she is so wound up when she comes home, she has to expel that extra energy though some physical outlet as soon as she gets home.
That is sad to hear
It sounds like a great opportunity for you as a parent to advocate for a healthier environment for you child and her classmates!
Maybe Kate has some more tips on how to start that change in your school system. Kate?
Sadly, our kid's school tends to focus more on reading than playing. They're generally great readers, but when the weather turns bad, recess often turns into "video-watching time". That has a huge impact on their ability get rid of excess energy and getting their blood flowing so they think better. The good thing is that they usually get recess time outside, but when they don't there's a lot of sitting around reading or watching videos. At least there are ways to get rid of the extra energy at home with some more active video games (Let's Dance Kids 1 & 2) and with a bike, scooter, and basketball goal outside.
I also see this as hard to change at the school level because there's so much emphasis on how well the school does on the standardized tests. They tend to neglect the physical aspect in favor of the tests, but forget the benefits of physical activity in the process. Sadly, they also have a tendency to spend more time watching videos than what seems appropriate.
And then schools are complaining our children are getting heavier. So what do many of the schools do?. Make them sit in a computer lab for an hour instead of letting them play and run! Here where we live it is all about FCAT testing and starting the children early, getting them ready to pass those test.
My son's only 2, so he's not in school yet, but I do think outdoor time is very important. I try to take him out every day to play.
studies have found that recess actually helps kids(and adults) focus better. Your brain cannot keep working continually without a break so actually taking a small break will help your productivity improve and let you get more done than if you just worked through that time. I think kids especially need that.
My children have recess twice a day at school plus they have PE.
That is awesome! Has it always been that way or did parents initiate it? Is it private or public school?
I think recess is so important – for kids and adults!! Mary J.
It is sad to hear that active play is being phased out in school. Not only does it help children be creative and healthier adults but it would perhaps help with battling obesity rate.
My kids' school offers 30 minutes of recess. I think recess is very important! It helps them take out their energy from sitting in a classroom and it helps them stay active
It also helps teachers re-focus!
My child (4th grade) has a 45 minute recess during the day and a 45 minute PE 3 days a week
I wish I had recess.
I think recess is so important for our children & I dont like when they dont hand in their homework that they get recess taken away!
In our State, the law states that children must have 30 minutes of physical activity per day. They are probably lucky this mom doesn't have children in school. I'd be in their faces if they took my kid's recess away.
I love this! Recess is a necessity especially for hyper kids.
Most definitely for hyper kids!
I'm planning to follow-up on this blog with tips for advocating for regular physical activity. If you have suggestions, feel free to share.
Hi Katie. Great post! Kids absolutely need active play time in their schools and at home. We have a lot of ideas on our website you may want to check out. Here are a few:
Five Ways to Keep Indoor Play Alive This Winter – http://www.playworks.org/blog/five-ways-keep-indo…
Recess in inclement weather tips – http://www.playworks.org/make-recess-count/resour…
Tips to restore recess – http://www.playworks.org/make-recess-count/resour…
Great article,somehow it helped what to do for my son.
A walk outdoors is my favorite form of recess!
Recess is so needed for kids today. They really need their outdoor time.
I think it helps when parents also get off their computers or off the couch and go outside with their kids. It makes a child feel good when a parent gets out and plays with them. Good bonding opportunities.