The Power of Recess
Making It Better Conference
November 16, 2011
Objectives
 Identify the value and benefits of active
recess
 Identify supports for quality school recess
 Identify barriers to school recess
 Examine key components and best practices
in implementing a quality recess program
 Identify positive outcomes from recess pilots
Does Recess Matter?
 How many of you had recess as a kid?
 Are kids healthier today? More active?
 Do you think most kids have recess at school?
Teacher & Parent Input
 99% say recess is important
 90% disagree that recess is a waste of time
 75% disagree that all school time should be
academic
 75% agree that recess should be mandatory
Recess Research
 ERIC Digest
 Recess in Elementary School: What Does the Research Say?
 Recess can play an important role in the learning, social
development, and health of elementary school children.
 While there are arguments against recess, no research
clearly supports not having recess.
 RWJF Reports
 Recess Rules; State of Play
 Recess an underutilized opportunity to increase student
physical activity and reclaim instructional time
Recess Research
 CDC -Physical Activity Report – The Association Between
School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education,
and Academic Performance
 Substantial evidence that school-based physical
activity including recess can:
 help improve academic achievement (including grades
and standardized test scores)
 have a positive impact on cognitive skills and academic
behaviors
Physical Activity Research
 Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and
Thriving at Work, Home, and School. John Medina
 Exercise as the #1 rule for boosting brain power
 Brain evolved in and thrives with constant motion
 Increases oxygen flow to the brain, increasing
mental activity
 Increases functional brain cells
 Increases survival, and resistance to damage and stresss
Physical Activity Research
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science
of Exercise and the Brain. John Ratey
Exercise findings:
• Even moderate exercise improves ability to learn
• Increases intelligence by “supercharging” mental
circuits
• Increases blood flow to the brain causing an
increase in protective chemicals to fight stress
• Can reduce anxiety and even rewire the brain
• Elevates endorphins and other hormones to
increase mood and foster a positive attitude
How Much Recess Are
Kids Getting?
 NASPE Recommendation –at least one daily period
of recess of at least 20 minutes in length.
 Only 50% of children are getting daily recess in US
 Lack of state-level data for Minnesota
 Greatest risk of losing recess in high-poverty
populations of color
Most Affected
School Wellness Policies
Why is Recess Cut?
 No Child Left Behind- Focus on testing
 Problem behaviors on the playground
 Injuries on the playground
 Lack of funds for playgrounds and playground staff
 Concern over liability
So What’s a Principal,
parent, teacher to do?
Do Active Recess !
Active Recess aims to
increase physical activity
while
decreasing behavior referrals
and
decreasing playground injuries
How?
 Improve the playground environment
 Establish school-wide positive
behavior expectations
 Train staff
 Teach the children
Activities: What We Did
 Engaged schools where they were at
 Collaborated = district & site level
 Conducted baseline observations
 Trained Staff
 Offered Equipment
 Developed resources
Key Components
 Mapping playground to designate “play
zones”
 Providing game equipment for “Everyday
Games”
 Teaching and leading group games, called
“Game of the Day”
 Universal participation
 Staff use active and positive supervision
techniques
School Commitment
 Promote active recess
 Offer adult games twice per week
 Link positive classroom behavior
expectations to non-classroom areas
 Maintain recess game equipment
Active Recess Goals
Active Recess aims to
increase physical activity
while
decreasing behavior referrals
and
playground injuries
Results: Staff Survey
 76.5% reported an increase in
physical activity levels
 55.9% staff reported a decrease in
behavior problems
 29.4% reported a decrease in injuries
 91% of staff reported that students
overwhelmingly enjoy Active Recess!
Results: Top 3 Ways to Increase
Physical Activity
1. Additional game equipment
2. Active supervision
3. Group games
Results: Behaviors
 Behavior rates dropped at 11 of the 13 participating
schools
 At the 11 schools with decreases, the rate dropped by
over half – 51.87%
 OVERALL: 33% reduction in the behavior referral
rate
Lessons Learned
 Each and every recess is different
 Recess Week!
 Kids LOVE group games
 Staff more positively engaged
 Structured vs. Quality Recess
 Administration support essential
 Opportunity to introduce Recess Before Lunch
The Power of Recess
Deb Loy
Director of Coordinated School Health
Minnesota Department of Education
[email protected]
Julie Danzl
Healthy Kids Focused Students
Minneapolis Public Schools
[email protected]