One of the things that started my journey and search into learning about Play Deficit and Nature Deficit was learning about the current state of recess in schools. We often hear about our kids being in school anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day depending on where you live. We hear about the importance of literacy instruction and mathematics teaching, and we hear about standardized test preparation; we hear about the ever challenging job of educators doing everything they can to help children succeed academically.
One of the things that isn't really talked about as being important for children is recess. We always hear about some kids misbehaving in school and kids at times not being able to concentrate; could it possibly be that kids just cannot sit in a classroom for hours at a time without a break? In most of our schools children are given very little recess time, and over time the recesses have become shorter and shorter. Study after study has shown that recess helps students concentrate better in class and perform better overall academically. My research into the topic of recess began with Finland.
One of the most shocking things that I learned during my research about recess is that in Finland, one of the most admirable education systems in the world, students BY LAW must have a 15 minute outdoor recess after EVERY 45 minutes of instruction. I almost fell over when I learned this, but it's true. students are given a 15 minute outdoor recess after 45 minutes of instruction. Students are taken outside no matter what the weather is, rain, snow, freezing weather, you name it. Just to give you a little bit of background about education in Finland, students don't start elementary school until age 7; elementary students only spend on average 4-5 hours a day at school, including the recess time (hours increase as a child gets older); there are no standardized testing at all except for when students get ready to graduate from high school; all teachers must have a masters degree, and only 10 percent of applicants are admitted into teacher education. Overall elementary students in Finland get 60-75 minutes a day of recess; days are shorter, and their system is setup much different than ours. It's pretty interesting stuff, and although I could go on about how unique this type of education system is, my focus here will be to discuss the importance of recess for children.
To me, if an education system is doing so well globally and internationally, and one of the things they do is give students so much more recess than any other country, they must be doing something right. I personally believe, and others have agreed across the globe that the recess time that students in Finland have been given has really done great things for schools there.
Most instruction segments here in the US go on for 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 hours, which makes me begin to wonder whether cramming of instruction is effective for student learning, especially for young children. As an adult myself, I have had college courses that have been 2 hours long, and even I along with my class mates have had trouble paying attention the entire time. Adults who work for hours at a time can have a hard time focusing without a break here and there. Can you imagine what it's like for a young child to have no break for 2 hours ? I have begun to wonder if this lack of breaks is hurting our kids, and if it creates behavior problems.
Even in Finland with a 15 minute recess, some have said in the winter by the time students get coats on and get outside, their breaks are really only 10 minutes. However, the benefits still exist for these frequent 10 minute breaks. Fresh air and movement does great things for young children. There have been multiple studies that show that after recess students show improvement in focus and behavior, including less fidgeting and hyperactivity and an increase in class participation and discussion .
There are several theories to describe the benefits of recess. The first is the surplus energy theory, which basically says that when kids are sitting for a while or are inactive they build up this energy inside, which can be released by recess. The cognitive maturity hypothesis states kids do better when activities are spaced over time, rather than crammed together, so recesses would help build breaks in and space things out. There are also social benefits for recess, including learning to share, cooperating with others, communication, conflict resolution, and problem solving. Recess is one of the ways kids learn how to play. There are even emotional benefits for having recess, which can include children boosting their self esteem through play and even building character development through peer interaction. Finally, of course physical health is a huge benefit. Child obesity rates have risen, and recess helps children get daily physical activity. Studies show that PE classes are not enough and that recess is necessary. We all know also that in today's elementary schools PE is only taught to students once or twice a week, so recess is definitely important with this matter.
The current state of recess in the US isn't so great as it could be. Over a decade ago No Child Left Behind was passed, which mandated testing each year for third grade students and up in reading and math. The idea behind this was to make sure all students had the chance to excel academically and perform at proficient levels in reading and math. The reason behind it was good and intentionally well. However, it has of course done some damage to our education system. One of the things it has damaged is the cutting of recess. In the aftermath of No Child Left Behind, at least 40 percent of school districts across the country have cut back or completely done away with recess. The average amount of recess time is now at an average of just 20 minutes a day for elementary students, and the average amount of recess has dropped 50 minutes a week since No Child Left Behind passed. On another note, ADHD has also increased 16 percent in the last decade.
One of the things that isn't really talked about as being important for children is recess. We always hear about some kids misbehaving in school and kids at times not being able to concentrate; could it possibly be that kids just cannot sit in a classroom for hours at a time without a break? In most of our schools children are given very little recess time, and over time the recesses have become shorter and shorter. Study after study has shown that recess helps students concentrate better in class and perform better overall academically. My research into the topic of recess began with Finland.
One of the most shocking things that I learned during my research about recess is that in Finland, one of the most admirable education systems in the world, students BY LAW must have a 15 minute outdoor recess after EVERY 45 minutes of instruction. I almost fell over when I learned this, but it's true. students are given a 15 minute outdoor recess after 45 minutes of instruction. Students are taken outside no matter what the weather is, rain, snow, freezing weather, you name it. Just to give you a little bit of background about education in Finland, students don't start elementary school until age 7; elementary students only spend on average 4-5 hours a day at school, including the recess time (hours increase as a child gets older); there are no standardized testing at all except for when students get ready to graduate from high school; all teachers must have a masters degree, and only 10 percent of applicants are admitted into teacher education. Overall elementary students in Finland get 60-75 minutes a day of recess; days are shorter, and their system is setup much different than ours. It's pretty interesting stuff, and although I could go on about how unique this type of education system is, my focus here will be to discuss the importance of recess for children.
To me, if an education system is doing so well globally and internationally, and one of the things they do is give students so much more recess than any other country, they must be doing something right. I personally believe, and others have agreed across the globe that the recess time that students in Finland have been given has really done great things for schools there.
Most instruction segments here in the US go on for 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 hours, which makes me begin to wonder whether cramming of instruction is effective for student learning, especially for young children. As an adult myself, I have had college courses that have been 2 hours long, and even I along with my class mates have had trouble paying attention the entire time. Adults who work for hours at a time can have a hard time focusing without a break here and there. Can you imagine what it's like for a young child to have no break for 2 hours ? I have begun to wonder if this lack of breaks is hurting our kids, and if it creates behavior problems.
Even in Finland with a 15 minute recess, some have said in the winter by the time students get coats on and get outside, their breaks are really only 10 minutes. However, the benefits still exist for these frequent 10 minute breaks. Fresh air and movement does great things for young children. There have been multiple studies that show that after recess students show improvement in focus and behavior, including less fidgeting and hyperactivity and an increase in class participation and discussion .
There are several theories to describe the benefits of recess. The first is the surplus energy theory, which basically says that when kids are sitting for a while or are inactive they build up this energy inside, which can be released by recess. The cognitive maturity hypothesis states kids do better when activities are spaced over time, rather than crammed together, so recesses would help build breaks in and space things out. There are also social benefits for recess, including learning to share, cooperating with others, communication, conflict resolution, and problem solving. Recess is one of the ways kids learn how to play. There are even emotional benefits for having recess, which can include children boosting their self esteem through play and even building character development through peer interaction. Finally, of course physical health is a huge benefit. Child obesity rates have risen, and recess helps children get daily physical activity. Studies show that PE classes are not enough and that recess is necessary. We all know also that in today's elementary schools PE is only taught to students once or twice a week, so recess is definitely important with this matter.
The current state of recess in the US isn't so great as it could be. Over a decade ago No Child Left Behind was passed, which mandated testing each year for third grade students and up in reading and math. The idea behind this was to make sure all students had the chance to excel academically and perform at proficient levels in reading and math. The reason behind it was good and intentionally well. However, it has of course done some damage to our education system. One of the things it has damaged is the cutting of recess. In the aftermath of No Child Left Behind, at least 40 percent of school districts across the country have cut back or completely done away with recess. The average amount of recess time is now at an average of just 20 minutes a day for elementary students, and the average amount of recess has dropped 50 minutes a week since No Child Left Behind passed. On another note, ADHD has also increased 16 percent in the last decade.
From my experience of working in schools, I have had some first hand observations and experience with recess being done currently. In the schools that I have been to in NC, most schools schedule one 30 minute recess a day for K-5 students. The time of day varies by grade and school.
From my experience I have seen some teachers go against rules and cut recess time to make time for more instruction. Sometimes teachers are late bringing kids out to recess; sometimes teachers take students in a few minutes earlier, and so it has resulted in recesses only being sometimes just 15-20 minutes, but not always. Of course there are many teachers who give their students their long recess that they are mandated to have by law in NC (which is 150 minutes of physical activity a week). I have even seen some teachers make their students walk laps during recess as punishment, as well as kids sitting out the entire time due to behavior problems in class.
One of the most crazy things that I have seen is teachers having an indoor recess. Indoor recesses I have seen have been done because of really bad rain outside, but sadly, and I have seen them done just because it's wet outside or it's drizzling, or it's cold. Instead, students are sometimes allowed to stay inside, and the teacher puts on a movie or lets students play on the computer or the iPads (do our kids really need any extra screen time). Luckily there are some teachers that let students color or draw or play with Legos or play board games during indoor recess.Sadly I have even seen it get to the point where students prefer and hope to have indoor recess just to stay inside and play on iPads or technology or because they just don't like playing outside anymore.
Even one day I was working with a group of kindergartners, and right before recess they were playing math games on the iPads, and I told the kids it was time for recess and to bring me their iPads to put away. I literally had to go around and collect the iPads and snatch them out of hands. No one wanted to go outside for recess, which it's sad that we have gotten to a point of kids not wanting to play anymore; and screens have taken over our kids' lives (more on these matters later on in my other postings).
Whatever the future is for recess across the US, I just hope it will be good and in the best interest of kids. It often troubles me when I hear that kids who get in trouble have to sit out for recess because my thinking is that those kids are the ones who need recess the most. Whether recess time will ever increase in schools, only the future will tell. What's important to takeaway today is to understand that recess is so important for kids. It does make up part of a child's daily play time, but it also helps keep kids relaxed and focused in school. No matter what age you are, everyone needs some fresh air and a break at times, especially kids.
To end this discussion on a positive note, I would like to share the story of Dr. Debbie Rhea of TCU, Texas Christian University, who is associate dean of Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences and a kinesiology professor . Dr. Debbie Rhea in my eyes is someone who I admire, and I hope one day her work will spread like wild fire across the country. Dr Rhea visited Finland in 2012 and spent 6 weeks visiting schools. One of her main focuses during her visit was on the frequent recesses in schools. After returning from her trip, she hoped to bring back the Finnish recess idea to north Texas schools. After returning, she formed Project LIINK , which stands for Let’s Inspire Innovation ‘N Kids. The program is currently being piloted in a few local public and private elementary schools in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The project incorporates four 15 minute daily recesses into the school schedule, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, as well as adding weekly character development lessons into the school day to prevent bullying, since bullying is sometimes an issue during recess . Rhea plans to expand the program to more schools in the coming years. The long term goals of project LIINK according to Rhea are to
- Increase the amount of physical activity/recess in the schools
- Create equality across content areas; add ethics/character development as a content area
- Assess students differently (assess with developmental tracking instead of grades twice a semester); less standardized testing – more local control
- Restructure the school day (less hours in classroom for K-6 students; extra time in play/creativity)