Making the Most out of Recess: How to structure the Recess Activities?

If there is anything that can help children develop more focus in class, it’s recess. But due to increased academic pressure, many schools are keen on cutting down the recess time and increasing the classroom time, which might significantly affect our children’s physiological and physical health. Lack of recess is one of primary reasons why obesity prevails in our society.

Why Children need more Recess?

Recess is the most component of overall child development, but unfortunately many scholastic institutions seem to ignore that fact. Many school practice recess punishments where children are forced to skip their break time. This is not healthy for children and can seriously alter their brain activity that can ultimately impact their academic performance. Here are some of the major reasons why our children need more recess time at school:

Sunlight Improves Overall Wellness

Sunlight offers more than just vitamin D. Research shows that children who spend 45-50 minutes out in the sun have better bone development than children who miss the sun on a daily basis. Going to the beach once a month cannot cover your child’s need for sunlight.

Recess Time Increases Focus

Recess can help children improve their focus that can ultimately help them achieve high success in academic endeavors.

Outdoor Playground Equipment Social Skills

This is one of the biggest benefits of recess; it allows children to enhance their interpersonal skills and grow their relationships with their classmates.

Physical Activity Enhances the Brain’s Cognitive Ability

All the sweat and augmented heartbeat during a recess does not go to waste. Research shows that physical activity during the recess time can aid in enhanced cognitive ability.

 How Can We Structure a Recess Activity?

Most parents believe that controlling the structure of a recess is beyond their control. It is simply not true. That’s why we have parent teacher meetings so parents and the school staff can get together to find ways for better child maturity. Below are some of the ways that can help you structure the recess activities in a productive manner.

Ways to Structure the Recess Activities:

• The first and the foremost thing is to get in touch with the school staff and promote ample recess time.
• Make sure that your child’s school supports movement-based learning activities.
• Make sure that the school offers creative school playground structures; modern play structures are designed with quest-oriented designs that allow children to take their imagination to the next level.
• Ask the teachers and the physical education instructors to help kids engage with both structured and unstructured activities during the recess time.
• Raise voice against nixing recess and make sure that the children get their break during the school hours. If we do not put an end to this silly punishment today, there is a possibility that this will take a form of a tradition.
• Recess should not be the only way to give kids a chance to participate in physical activities; outdoor playground equipment is a great way to let children ride their imagination freely.