The school day is packed with activities and objectives, and it can be difficult to fit everything in. You want your students to succeed, and you give them the best learning opportunities possible.
Often, when it comes to priorities, recess and time for unstructured play can fall to the bottom of the list. Recess and play may not be seen as “rigorous” as subjects taught in a traditional classroom setting, such as math and language arts.
But true, well-rounded learning occurs both inside and outside the classroom. In fact, play is intrinsic to the learning process and a vital part of the school experience.
Researchers have examined the link between unstructured play—that is, when kids play with each other with no adult intervention—and classroom achievement. In The Benefits of Recess in Primary School, the study found three key areas where unstructured play positively influences childhood development and performance.
- Classroom behavior. Children who have been given the chance to play during recess are often better able to concentrate in the classroom. Researchers have seen that fidgeting often increases before recess, and decreases after, especially when children engage in moderately vigorous play. This can help improve overall academic performance
- Social skills. Unstructured play can provide the opportunity to facilitate social development and competence skills. According to researchers, students learn how to:
- communicate with one another;
- deal with conflict;
- practice leadership skills;
- set and follow rules;
- practice self-discipline;
- inhibit aggression;
- manage stress; and
- develop new perspectives.
- Cognitive skills. The break from the classroom that recess provides has been shown to help students learn and retain knowledge. Being able to leave and return to tasks can result in “improved attention, memory, and productivity, particularly for academic tasks.”
Of course, recess and unstructured play can also provide an opportunity for physical fitness, helping reduce childhood obesity and its associated health issues. In addition, recess allows children to establish and maintain healthy friendships while creating positive associations with your school.
Play has been shown to increase academic performance while allowing children to mature and self-regulate. When prioritizing your school’s activities, make sure to consider the positive benefits that recess can provide to your students.
Additional ISM Resources:
The Source for Academic Leadership Vol. 12 No. 3 Paying for Recess: Families Transfer to Private Schools for Recess
Additional ISM resources for members:
I&P Vol. 34 No. 11 Recess May Be More Than You Think
