Do you remember when you were a child and someone asked, “What’s your favorite subject in school?” And, while many of your friends called out “Science” or “History,” there was always a clever child who exclaimed, “Recess!” Adults would then laugh and the conversation carried on. Yet, is that answer silly or laughable?
Many school districts are eliminating recess, yet research shows that children who have opportunities for outside play are more on-task and less rambunctious. When testifying in front of a federal subcommittee about the importance of outside play, Pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said, “For all children, this setting allows for the full blossoming of creativity, curiosity, and the associated developmental advances.” Studies on the topic demonstrate that recess in the early years is critical for brain development because it helps to invite learning, promotes emotional and physical health, and creates opportunities for social interaction.
Playing Outside Invites Learning
The first five years are critical for brain development, so creating opportunities for children to play outside will foster learning. Children love to explore, and the outdoors provides them the freedom to investigate nature. While outside, children will find acorns, insects, flowers, leaves, and birds. Their natural curiosity encourages them to discover and ask questions, so adults can explain how trees grow and insects eat. Playing outside creates opportunities for hands-on learning where children investigate the natural world. They can feel the mud and smell the flowers rather than remaining indoors and watching a television show about nature. It is imperative that our preschool, preK and kindergarten students are given every opportunity to explore nature to ensure success in the classroom and in life.
Physical Benefits
Just being outside encourages physical activity and a love for nature. When children play outside, they are more likely to continue to enjoy nature and physical activities as adults. Many games that children play outside include running, jumping, and tumbling, and these activities are more likely to create lifelong activities such as cycling, hiking, jogging, and gardening. Physical activity is important for health throughout life, so developing the love for nature early will most likely continue into adulthood. Additionally, just getting outdoors requires more activity than sitting in a classroom or at home. Even if children do not choose to be active while outside, they are given the freedom to do what they wish. And, just a little bit of movement is better than the sedentary classroom or home environment.
Stress and Anxiety Reducer
Getting outdoors also relieves stress and anxiety. Children at any age can experience stress, so getting out on the playground for physical activity or to experience nature has been proven to relieve stress. Nature presents a calming environment that helps to reduce stress, and if physical activity is involved, it relieves anxiety. According to the American Heart Association, walking outside, observing nature, or playing outdoors reduces stress and boosts mood. Additionally, providing recess every day grants children an important respite from cognitive tasks. This mental break affords children an opportunity to rest, imagine, play, think, and socialize, so when they return to the classroom, they have more energy to concentrate on the cognitive activities once again.
Develops Social Skills and Improves Behavior
According to Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess helps children develop their social skills, and teachers claim it helps with behavior. Children engage with peers and learn how to cooperate, compromise, communicate, share, and problem solve. Activities on the playground while under adult supervision enhance classroom learning through role play and the types of interactions encountered while playing sports and other active games. Additionally, children learn about conflict resolution when they encounter disagreements on the playground and must find ways to deal with the situation. These skills carry over to the classroom where 81% of teachers acknowledge that students’ behavior improves after recess. Children are able to focus because outside play allows them to work off steam and take a much needed break from the confines of the classroom.
The Reality
The Center for Disease Control recommends at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that 2 to 5 year olds have a minimum of 2 hours of physical activity each day. However, physical activity has decreased by 71% for this generation of children with the onslaught of video games and the availability of handheld devices. Research indicates that the average amount of outside, unstructured play for children is only about 7 minutes. What will this generation of students experience as a result of our inattention to recess?
Unfortunately, some school districts have eliminated recess due to safety concerns; however, this practice prevents children from developing fully. Rather than banning recess, districts should teach students about safety and prohibit certain types of dangerous games. They should follow safety guidelines for their playgrounds and create areas that encourage different types of games such as hopscotch or four square. Playground equipment should meet safety requirements and adults must supervise to ensure students are not exhibiting bullying or poor behavior. Some schools have created a structured recess where students play specific games with an adult leader. Although a structured recess eliminates student choice, it does encourage physical activity that helps to combat obesity. However, rather than structuring all aspects of recess, adults can teach students how to play specific games and encourage physical activity.
Outside play augments education throughout the early years, and it should not be overlooked or considered a frill. Some of the best memories adults have occurred on the playground, and our children need to share these same experiences. Recess contributes greatly to emotional development, cognitive development, physical development, and social development, and we cannot afford to take this away from our children.
Learning by Design 