Research by Meyler, an elementary physical education teacher, suggests that recess can be viewed as an opportunity for students to not only engage in physical activity, but also to learn about and build their character, develop cooperation skills and practice social interactions.

What is the purpose of recess in school?

During recess, students are encouraged to be physically active and engaged with their peers in activities of their choice, at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12^th grade. Recess benefits students by: Increasing their level of physical activity. Improving their memory, attention, and concentration.

How does recess improve learning?

It creates a space wherein elementary students can rest, imagine, think, play, move, and socialize. After recess, students tend to be more attentive and better able to perform cognitively. In addition, recess helps young children to develop social skills that cannot be acquired in a structured learning environment.

Why is recess so important for children?

Recess provides children with the opportunity to exert energy in a healthy way. And because recess is a break from the structure and expectations of school, children have the chance to take control of their world, even if only for a short time.

How does recess help students socialize?

Recess promotes social and emotional learning and development for children by offering them a time to engage in peer interactions in which they practice and role play essential social skills.” Recess offers a child a necessary, socially structured means for managing stress.

What is the purpose of recess?

Recess represents an essential, planned respite from rigorous cognitive tasks. It affords a time to rest, play, imagine, think, move, and socialize. After recess, for children or after a corresponding break time for adolescents, students are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively.

How does recess make you smarter?

Perhaps one of the most accepted benefits of recess is the contribution of recess to social skill development. During recess children gain skills in conflict resolution by playing with their peers, learning how to share, take turns, being a leader, as well as, collaborating and negotiating around games and rules.

Why should high school students have recess?

Carlee Adams states in her article, “Recess Makes Kids Smarter”, that recess show results that students are, “less fidgety and more on task, have improved memory and more focused attention, develop more brain connections, learn negotiation skills, [and] exercise leadership”.

What do you do at school recess?

Some favorites are still soccer, tetherball, hopscotch and hand-clapping games. But some are a little different and more elaborate, such as a murder mystery game and playing tag while scrambling around on top of playground equipment. And the most popular games vary from school to school.

How does recess help the brain?

Recess allows a child to mentally decompress and absorb what they’ve recently learned. It also helps children improve communication and negotiation skills. It teaches them the importance of cooperation, sharing and problem solving.