What is Recess?

 According to the CDC, "recess is a regularly scheduled period in the school day for physical activity and play that is monitored by trained staff or volunteers. During recess, students are encouraged to be physically active and engaged with their peers in activities of their choice, at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12th grade."

Recess is an unstructured but purposeful break time during the school day that allows children to engage in physical and social development.

I believe recess is free time - where the adults simply provide a safe place for children to control the activity, the adventure, the story, the creativity, imagination, speed and the results or outcome. 

Unfortunately, no.  Recess has declined drastically since the 1990's. As the push for academics has increased, recess has been seen less important.  Now, with State demands, admin demands and jam packed schedules for elementary school children, recess is first thing to push aside.  

Some states have passed mandatory recess laws!  Rhode Island, Florida, Arizona, Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana, Connecticut, Missouri, Massachusetts all have mandatory recess laws.  Each law varies by state, but it at least is "required".  

School districts should have recess policies built in their Wellness Policy but based on their wording, it could be a "philosophy", it could be "recommended" or mandated.

With the growing nature deficit being seen in children (check out Richard Louve's book "Last Child in the Woods" about the decline of children and nature), recess should be outside!  They don't need a fancy playground either!  Logs, wooded areas, hills, fields all work just the same!   

Now, don't get me wrong - sometimes it can be questionable weather.  Schools in TX will restrict outdoor recess if the temperature is below 50 degrees, where as schools in NY (Buffalo), see that as a heat wave! Even schools in Alaska have outdoor recess!

Outdoor is best, but providing recess is important either way. 

Recess should be noisy. It should be moving. It should be different pockets of kids doing different things.  

Some kids will need too get their energy out and spend the time running back and forth. 

Others will require a less physical approach and quiet time reading a book. 

Some will require it to be their social hour and their conversation wont stop. 

The important thing to remember is kids need to respond to their body's sensory needs and recess is that way for them to do so.  

It will be loud. It will have movement. It will have conflict even - but these are all things that are needed for children to grow and development. 

Best part?  Is after they have their recess, they are able to come back and focus. 

If the kids invite you in, go play of course! But remember to let them control the play. 

Adults roles in recess is to look for hazards. Not a risk. Climbing is a risk. The hazard is the broken tree limb or the rusty bar. Adults should allow for minor conflict (kids need to learn how to communicate and problem solve their own disagreements without adults constantly telling them how), allow for risk and allow for the "chaos" at times.  

Rough and Tumble play is ok too!  Of course being in a school there can be some concern, but allow kids to rough and tumble is a vital component to their brain development and understanding of other peoples feelings and abilities. 

Plus their body wants to get physical.  I believe letting a quick game of sword fighting is great... the adults roll can simply be to remind the kids to discuss their rules first.