Increasing Students’ Activity
Level - Recess
Prior physical activity
experiences affect students
views about physical activity
Physical Education Versus Recess


Physical education is instructional time that
includes all 3 domains
Recess is “free play” time where students may
chose who to play with and what activities to
engage in
Arguments in Favor of Providing
Recess

Provides a mental break- offers variety, break
from focused learning

Boosts academic achievement through peer
interaction

Stimulates cognitive functioning through physical
activity
Arguments in Favor of Providing
Recess

Contributes to the social and moral
development of the students

Leads to healthier children

Contributes to the development of
movement skills
Arguments Against Providing Recess


Takes time away from academic work
Encourages aggression and antisocial
behavior
Quality Recess

Schools can:
 Provide adequate play time, spaces, and
equipment for students

Train recess personnel to structure quality
recess time
Quality Recess

Teachers can:
 Advocate for quality play experiences


Use the outdoors as an extension of the
classroom
Avoid taking away outside time as punishment
or misbehavior (ISBE policy)
Quality Recess

Have activities for all children
 Suggest activities if children are just “standing around”
 Show how to play with a new piece of equipment
 Integrate children with disabilities

Provide quality games and activities

Have plenty of equipment available

Have a variety of traditional and innovative equipment
Select Amount and Timing of Recess


No concrete guidance is provided to
educators
Evidence exists to support a number of
recess periods each day interspersed
throughout the day
 Morning and afternoon recess periods (20
minutes in length)
 Noon recess of 20 minutes
Typical Recess Behavior:
Bullying

Look for children who are playing with
children 2 grade levels below their own
Children that play outside their gender
group are more likely to be bullied
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