When is it too hot for Recess?Keeping Kids Cool at School
Scientists don’t yet know why some people become seriously ill while exercising in hot weather, and others don’t. “There’s still a lot we don’t understand” about heat illness, says Douglas Casa, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, who’s extensively studied athletic performance in the heat. READ MORE

How Schools Can Protect Students From Wild Fire Smoke At Recess

Here are some things schools can do to protect students and learn to live with wildfire smoke. READ MORE

Serious accidents which occur in schools typically happen on the playground, and often playground supervision is a contributing factor. In fact, approximately 200,000 accidents each year send children to the emergency room for treatment of an injury which occurred on the school playground. The following tips are designed to increase the quality of the playground supervision in your school, insuring that children are safe on your playground.Order…

The first step in developing a recess program is securing buy-in from the staff. It is crucial that your staff understands the importance of recess, and how it not only makes for a more well- rounded and healthy student, but how it actually enhances learning and academic performance. The American Academy of Pediatrics backs these statements with some research found here: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/1/183 

Check out our di…

Could your recess use a little help?










The Playground Games and Strategies to Improve Recess is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, parents, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and strategies associated with organizing a successful recess.  This course outlines how to make recess safe, fun, and orderly without “structuring recess”.Playground Games and Strate…

IPEMA Association Survey and The Voice of Play



Research shows that outdoor free play gives kids many valuable benefits, including the growth of physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills. And teachers agree, according to the second annual Voice of Play Survey. The survey of 500 U.S. elementary school teachers was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), the playground…

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation published on Feb. 17, 2017 an Issue Brief on "Building a Culture of Health Through Safe and Healthy Elementary School Recess."  A safe and healthy recess promotes a Culture of Health in schools by providing students time to develop socially, emotionally, physically, and academically according to the Issue Brief.

This brief was based on Playwork's TeamUp program which offers schools a site-coordinat…

By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer




















1) Recess serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated, academic challenges in the classroom. It also offers cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits that may not be fully appreciated when a decision is made to diminish it. Pediatrics, Dec. 31, 2012.

Cognitive Benefits
2) Several studies demonstrate that recess, whether performed indoors or outdoors, made children more attentive and more prod…

10 Playground Stencils on Sale now.
 Don't miss our Annual Playground Stencil Sale.  Single stencils include: Hopscotch, basketball key, 4 square, world map and the U.S. Map  Playground Stencil.

"All kids have a right to recess", according to retired principal and Peaceful Playgrounds Founder, Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer.    The "Right to Recess Campaign" has been around for 5 years and the materials have been used in numerous School Board Presentations and referenced in magazines, & news reports. Grab a copy of the Right To Recess Tool Kit here.

Right to Recess Featured Article.

Experts agree that playtime can be j…

Peaceful Playgrounds Play Nice Newsletter Just Released.

















Topics:
School Recess: Why some love and some hate this American Tradition.
Right to Recess Campaign Going Strong.
January Free Download-  Valentine's Day Brain Break Cards
Grant Opportunities for Physical Activity
New Physical Activity Court Coming Soon
Peaceful Playgrounds Boards on Pinterest
Coupon:  We Count Walking Program

The recess movement in Orange County, Florida is growing and even received national attention yesterday when The Today Show put out an elementary recess survey.

The national survey shows that 99% of adults participating in the survey favor elementary school recess.  End of subject?  Not quite.  Parents in nearby Lake County have taken to the streets to join in the protest over the lack of recess at their schools.

The benefits of recess are well…

by Eric Schwartzberg

DAYTON, OHIO – A local elementary school is working to smooth over the rough-and-tumble aspects of recess with the Peaceful Playgrounds Program. Wyandot Early Childhood School recently implemented Peaceful Playgrounds, a research-based program that aims to teach students social skills and show staff how to organize the playground to reduce bullying, conflicts and injuries.
Developed by longtime teacher and principal …

BOKS is excited to announce that Reebok and The Reebok Foundation are awarding $1,000 to up to 300 schools for the 2014/2015 school year! These Activation Grants are intended to help get kids moving in a fun way to wake up their bodies for a day of learning with BOKS.

BOKS Lead Trainers who sign the BOKS pledge are invited to apply for the BOKS Activation Grant to support the launch of BOKS in their elementary schools.
http://bokskids.org/boks-tal…

The NFL's San Diego Chargers, a team with a strong and lengthy community commitment to San Diego's youth, brought a Peaceful Playground and an Action Based Learning Lab to students at Nye Elementary on September 30, 2014.

The Chargers made this possible courtesy of a $30,000 grant awarded by the Chargers' Champions Program in 2013.  Following the ribbon cutting, Chargers' players Darrell Stuckey and Shareece Wright delighted s…

Find out more about Peaceful Playgrounds in one minute.

School recess holds a special place in the heart of the American public school student, according to the editorial in today's Concord Monitor.
Life Lessons Learned on the Playground However, beyond the love of recess there are also  many life lessons that are learned on the playground. Parents are beginning to understand how important recess is to a child’s development.   The American Academy of Pediatrics said in a policy statement l…

Our featured article called, "Keeping Kids Cool at School" points out the importance of developing plans and procedures for when the weather conditions require recess modifications.

Each year schools face the challenges associated with outdoor recess and overheated classrooms. Principals and physical educators will face daily decisions regarding children’s heat health on the playground.

In this article we will review some informat…

Nearly everyday we get a call asking us to explain what comes with the Peaceful Playgrounds School Recess Program?This is an opportunity to find out.Download the brochure or visit our webpage with all the components listed to enhance your school playground experience for students.
Additional questions?  Call us at 951-245-6970Peaceful Playgrounds Recess ProgramPeaceful Playgrounds Recess Program Design permanent playground activities that help …

The Value of Unstructured Play Time for Kids - Pacific Standard: The Science of Society

This article talks about the value of unstructured play.

To clarify, we at Peaceful Playgrounds believe that play time should be unstructured.  We believe that "enriching" the play environment and then allowing children to play without adult facilitation or intervention.



http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/product/catalog/peaceful-playgrounds-rece…