To make recess periods effective, schools should:
• Have enough trained adults on hand to enforce and prevent aggressive, bullying behavior.
• Work with police departments and community agencies to address safety concerns about children playing in school playgrounds in high-crime areas.
• Provide space, facilities, equipment and supplies that can make active participation in physical activity during recess appealing to children.
• Have staff encourage students to be active during recess.
• Schedule recess before, rather than after, lunch; studies have found that students eat more of their lunches when recess comes before lunch.
Source: Wechsler H, Devereaux AB, Davis M, Collins J.