School Recess Without Stress

Ask any kid. Guess what the answer will be!

"Recess."

Recreation Is Essential.

Playground fun is an age-old school tradition, for good reason!

Children's bodies are hot-wired for physical activity. These brief daily breaks offer an essential opportunity for their little bodies to run and jump and stretch and grow, in freedom and fun. Unstructured playtime allows kids the chance to burn calories, work out stress, and interact candidly with their friends. Whenever possible, outdoor recess provides fresh air and sunshine for growing healthy bodies.

Not only that, but a supervised recess period allows regular classroom teachers to take a break, return phone calls, and prepare their academic lessons.

Children learn by doing, and playtime can be invaluable self-teaching time. This may be the only time during the entire school day when kids can practice their socialization skills with one another.

Unfortunately, taunting and teasing and other hazards tend to go with the territory.

What's the Harm in a Little Fun?

Today, playground perils can be quite serious. Children may harm themselves or each other, accidentally or aggressively. Peer pressure can reach fever pitch on the playground. In a 15-minute recess, feelings can be hurt, emotions may escalate, and reputations may be ruined.

In some neighborhoods, schoolyards may not be sufficiently secure from predators and violent criminals. Even the student population may produce those who would deliberately discriminate, harass, or harm other children.

How Can Recess Be Saved, Without Putting Kids at Risk?

Several precautions can be taken, to increase children's safety during this period of socialization and sports.

First, playgrounds should be enclosed with a security fence or other safety boundary. Some newer schools have even been constructed with inner courtyards for private play.

Playground equipment must be well-maintained and inspected frequently to prevent accidents and injuries. Climbing equipment should have soft footing underneath it.

Children should be encouraged to wear sneakers, gym shoes or other rubber-soled footwear for outdoor play.

Adequate supervision must be provided. Each state offers acceptable teacher-to-student ratios for schools and day care providers. Ample staffing must be assigned to the playground, including personnel for escorting children to and from bathroom and water breaks.

Recess groupings should be organized by age. Younger and older kids should not be dismissed to the playground together. Bullying can be greatly minimized by this practice.

Shorter, more frequent recesses during the school day are better than fewer, longer ones. Abbreviated sessions are much simpler to manage, and kids are more likely to obey the rules and get along with one another.

Above all, recess should be recreation, not aggravation. Those who violate the rules must forfeit the privilege of participation. In other words, those who can't "play nice" may lose the opportunity to play at all.