Contributed by JC Boushh
A recent article on The Many Benefits of Recess in Schools cites the Council on Physical Education for Children position paper on the crucial role recess plays in school academics. Recess allows children to take a break from the pressure of academics and allows them to practice major life skills; conflict resolution, cooperation, respect for rules, taking turns, sharing, using language to communicate, and problem solving in situations that are real. Professor of Early Childhood Development and Education at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tom Jambor believes “that the school playground was a practice site as early as 1901 that encouraged games of competition, allowed experimentation with new social strategies, and provided a setting for dramatic play.” Jambor indicates that recess has Social, Emotional, Physical, and Cognitive benefits that go beyond the classroom experience
Not only do students benefit from recess time, but research shows that Teachers also benefit from recess time. Teachers have noticed that students who participate in daily recess breaks pay better attention in class and demonstrate less disruptive behavior. With the pressure of high stakes testing and academic performance recess allows children to not only do better in the classroom, but to improve and practice vital life skills. There truly is a Value to Recess.