RECESS TIME?
Do you remember the games you played during recess as a child? Think about all the physical activity that involved and what you learned from those recess games.
Did you know that more and more recess is being replaced by testing and homework? While children are becoming fatter and fatter, schools are eliminating the time for them to exercise, socialize and think creatively.
Here you will find games, books about games, videos of kids playing and ways to encourage your community to keep or reinstate recess in your child's schools.
Recess Lens Table of Contents
- Recess or No Recess?
- No Child Left Without a Big Behind
- New Games to Play at Recess
- Reinventing Recess: Schools try to play it safe
- Recess is more than play
- Why children need to play
- Places to Study
- Recess Games
- Cooperative Running
- What you can do to Bring Back Recess?
- Schools that Believe in Recess
- Tetherball
- Playground Equipment
- Recess in the News!
- Do you think all children have the right to recess?
- Isle of Squid
- Lenses that promote breaks for children.
- Follow Me On Twitter
- About the Author
Recess or No Recess?
What is happening to recess? Are we robing our children of their childhood by this "LEAVE NO CHILD LEFT UNTESTED" Policy? What did you do during your free time as a child. What are our children missing? What can we do?
Do you remember hopscotch, Four Square, Capture the Flag, playing in the creek, mud pies , getting home by dark? How can we give our kids the time to enjoy their childhoods?
Recess is Educational
Is recess a waste of time?
Some people seem to think that recess is a waste of time. But what are kids really doing on the playground? While kids are playing ball games on the playground they are also learning how to cooperate, work out problems, and exercise their bodies. They are figuring out math and physics problems and learning social skills. No Child Left Without a Big Behind
Bill would require that students get daily hour of physical activity
While children get less and less exercise, the child obesity rate has tripled since 1980.
- Bill would require that students get daily hour of physical activity
OLYMPIA -- Legislators have a new message for children struggling to pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning: Go outside and play.
A bill introduced by Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, would require that all public schools in the state provide K-12 students with an hour a day of physical activity. Participation in after-school athletics programs would not count toward the requirement.
What's happened to RECESS?
- Schools leaving recess behind
- For 20 minutes a day, the kids jump rope, squeeze in a quick kickball game, or play other supervised games. What they don't do is sit and chat freely with their friends, make up their own games with their own rules, or figure out how to deal with bullies, and with each other.
Some schools are eliminating recess and substituting Physical Education Classes. But recess is a lot more than exercise. It is a time to communicate with your friends, learn social skills, use your imagination to make up new games. It is a break from the classroom routine and revive yourself for the next class.
Children Need Recess
It makes you wonder how charter schools can have SEVERAL recess breaks for kids, and homeschoolers only teach 3 hours a day on average, and yet public schools still have testing scores so much lower. In France, kids get a TWO HOUR LUNCH BREAK. Do they really think that eliminating recess is the answer? Is it really a matter of "not enough time for academics" or are publics schools inefficient?"
Help to prove the point by adding links to sites or lenses that agree or disagree with the need for Recess.
Escaping To My Happy Place: Schools Eliminating Recess
Federal law requires breaks in the workday for gro more...1 point
IPA/USA Home
THE IPA DECLARATION oF A CHILD'S RIGHT TO PLAY1 point
No More Recess - The New American Sweatshop
Schools are not factories, nor are children factor more...1 point
Thrall board stands by recess decision
Trustees denied a request to re-establish a 30-min more...1 point
Want to boost kids' grades? Get them moving
At a time when many schools have reduced or elimin more...1 point
New Games to Play at Recess
These are books that I use when I want to find a new game when substitute teaching, leading a homeschooling group, family reunion or when teaching a Spanish Afterschool Class. They are great books to have on the shelf ready for whatever comes up.
I find that the children love to use these books during Silent Reading and then play the games at recess time.
You might also check out Playground games from around the world, a website by Bernie DeKoven with a collection of games, directions and pictures of children playing them around the world.
After reading these books to the children I like to make them available to take home in Take Home Literacy Bags.
Watch children playing in a playground at Recess.
Do today's children have the opportunity to play on slides, Merry-go-rounds or just run around?
Reinventing Recess: Schools try to play it safe
- Reinventing recess: Schools try to play it safe
Pressure from state officials to pack more instruction into a school day has whittled away the minutes that children have that chance to flirt with danger on the playground. New requirements for structured physical education also have chipped away at playtime.
"They have lost much of their ability to create and problem-solve."
"But the only way to add more recess time is to add more time to the school day," he said. "I think that is an unfortunate thing."
What's your favorite recess game?
Keep Recess
Books Written About Recess
Watch Children Playing in the creek
Recess is a time to run and explore
Playing in the creek - Again
The kids love playing in the nice clean creek.
Runtime: 0:31
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Recess is more than play
- Recess is more than play
Local elementary schools have kept recess as part of the school day -- or even increased time provided for recess.
Recess has received a bad rap in recent years. With so much riding on test scores and school accountability, some schools have shortened or eliminated the fun period to give students more instructional time, dismissing recess as mere play time for students.
Believe it or not, a lot of learning happens during recess. Think about it, educators and recess advocates say. Recess teaches children cooperation, how to think independently, how to play by the rules, how to share and wait your turn. Physical activity is an added bonus, especially in light of the current childhood obesity crisis.
Things to Play With at Recess Time
Watch kids playing Red Rover at Recess
Do you remember how much fun this game was?
Why children need to play
Recess is the Time for Children to be Children
- Why children need to play
Children need several hours each day to be children. They need to let their imagination roam; they need to explore, and invent on their own, with other children, with their parents or other caregivers.
Much more learning takes place outside the classroom than within it.
Places to Study
Watch kids playing Four Square at Recess
Even older kids need to play.
four square 6
this video isnt' serious, was never meant to be serious, and is just me and my friends messing around playing some four square. the only reason its up here is so i can send it to them, haha.
Runtime: 0:17
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School Recess
Many schools have eliminated recess with the explaination that they need more time to teach all the material on the test. Is eliminating recess the right answer? Too many education reforms are driven by political ideology rather than by what actually works in schools. The list of unintended consequences is growing longer, and new signs of the coming rebellion are appearing every day. Bring recess back to our children. Give them the breaks that they need in order to do their best in school.
Should schools provide recess?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byNo, They need more testing!
Yes, Recess is part of learning!
dcfemella says:
Yes, I was flabbergasted to learn that at some schools they had lowered it down to 12 minutes! Just like adults need a break from their jobs, so they can come back refreshed. Children need it more.
Posted September 18, 2008
stargazer00 says:
No argument from me! Kids need to be kids and they need recess!
Posted September 08, 2008
WhitePineLane says:
I have a son with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, and it is imperative for him to move around during the day. Forcing kids-- any kids-- to sit still all day does not help learning, but actually hinders it.
Posted August 29, 2008
Katie says:
hi!
Posted August 20, 2008
Rachel says:
yes, recess is part of physical activity for every child during school hours.
Posted August 20, 2008
Christina says:
That as a child with ADHD I COULD NOT SIT STILL. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW HARD IT IS FOR A REGULAR KID. MY STEP DAUGHTER IS NOW OVER WEIGHT FROM LACK OF ACTIVITY AT HER MOTHERS AND IF THE SCHOOLS ARE NOT GOING TO HELP, THIS WILL NOT DO. WE HAD HER TESTED FOR MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND NOW THE INS WILL NOT PAY BECAUSE THE OUT COME WAS THAT SHE IS OBESE. WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST OVER WORKING OUR KIDS MINDS TO SAVING THEIR BODIES. IF THEY ARE NOT ACTIVE NOW THEY WON'T BE LATER
Posted August 19, 2008
The_Homeopath says:
We do need to encourage kids to be more active! Recess is also a great time to allow their creativity to express itself.
Posted August 15, 2008
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debnet says:
Hi Evelyn,
I work in Educational Psychology in the UK & things are slightly different here...at the moment anyway! Children here do get recess (called playtime over here) & that's exactly what it's for. However, more & more children are growing up with the TV as a babysitter & no social interaction going on. So unfortunately, we've created a generation of children who simply don't know HOW to play. As we know, imaginative play is just as important as structured play. So in I come with a selection of games & usually the only resources I have are my hands & voice. Children gathered in large groups to copy an adult playing a game & have so much fun whilst doing so. By demonstrating to the children (& also adults on duty) they enjoy playing the newly found games that have been played by generations before them, but often forgotten. It doesn't have to cost a penny to have fun but every child should be entitled to free play times.
Debbie
Posted June 23, 2008
nicole says:
yes, everyday and with no ristrictions to the, oh, you left your homework at home, excuse to have children not play.
Posted May 01, 2008
Becca_Sanz says:
Recess is the best time to get together with friends and gear up for more learning.
Posted April 26, 2008
Winter52 says:
I did a lot of volunteering at our neighborhood school and each year, more and more was expected of the children. I saw so many changes take place at the kindergarten level. I think that they definitely need recess.
Posted April 25, 2008
mulberry says:
Even more than adults I would think kids need a break; and then the concentrate better. (as well as needing the social interaction etc.)
Posted April 21, 2008
Debs says:
This is a fascinating lens about a fundamental part of a child's learning! RECESS ROCKS!! I live in Europe and am shocked that this is even an issue in the US and other parts of the world! When I was at school in the UK we called it "Play Time" - ahhh, different times maybe?
Posted April 19, 2008
Peter Grace says:
Yes. Opportunities to play pickup soccer at recess, or whatever games they would like. Honor rule should be in place to not hurt others.
Posted April 16, 2008
spirituality says:
I'm quite passionate about this one. Recess is just necessary for a healthy physical, emotional and mental development of kids. They learn spatial insight, how to deal with each other, physical coordination and more. And please, don't we all need down time?
Oh - and the safety issue: it's better for kids to risk breaking an arm than it is for them to live in a constantly cushioned environment. Later on they will also be running risks - let them practice dealing with risks that are actually manageable at that age.
Posted March 30, 2008
says:
YES! a half day of recess is the best! Ok, so that isn't realistic but I agree with everything you said here. Recess is unschooling in the systems;~)
I like those choices...need more testing...hahahha
The schooling is taught to the tests and not to the child's learning style. Of course I choose recess!
Posted February 28, 2008
Christina_Lemmey says:
Yes, schools need to keep recess! This is where students have much more social interaction with their peers and they can learn how to resolve differences JUST BY TALKING to one another! Plus, who wants to sit on a hard desk chair for 6 hours straight with no break?!?!?
Posted February 19, 2008
Jackie says:
Recess helps kids learn and focus.
Posted February 04, 2008
kab says:
What good is there in having educated kids with zero social skills? They need to learn how to socially interact with their peers.
Posted February 01, 2008
Comfortdoc says:
Recess helps to teach children how to be active...for life. Another important skill.
Posted January 31, 2008
Recess
Watch these kids skipping rope!
Recess is the Time to Jump Rope
Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep
The Joy of Skipping Rope
Elsie Piddock has such a talent for rope skipping that the fairies on nearby Mount Caburn award her a magical rope and, many years later at the age of 109, Elsie returns to skip again.
Blog Posts from Google
Watch some boys just playing in the woods.
Children use their imaginations at recess.
Bradwitch Project
These recordings were found in the woods near my house. The authoritys has not found the boys appearing in these recordings.
Runtime: 3:11
906 views
2 Comments:
Recess Games
Cooperative Running
1. Each pair walks from one place to another to practice cooperative walking.
2. Now try running.
3. Next try an obstacle course.
4. Try playing Tag.
5. Try these games with one of the partners blindfolded.
This game comes from:
The Peaceful Classroom: 162 Easy Activities to Teach Preschoolers Compassion and Cooperation
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/06/2008)
What you can do to Bring Back Recess?
At school: Bowing to pressure from parent and civic groups, the nation's largest beverage companies agreed last May to stop selling regular soft drinks in all public schools by 2010. What does that mean? When parents band together, they have the power to make changes. It can start with the simple step of asking your school's PTA to lobby for healthier lunches and more physical activity for kids. In fact, the National PTA and Cartoon Network now have a "Rescuing Recess" campaign that has awarded grants to individual PTAs trying to reinstate recess as part of the regular school week. (For more information, visit Rescue Recess.
1. Talk with other parents.
2. Join the PTA.
3. Talk with Teachers, School Nurses, PE Teachers.
4. Talk with the Principal.
5. Go to School Board Meetings.
6. Become a School Board Member.
7. Write to your Congreesman.
8. Become a member of Congress.
9. Organize a Protest.
10. Start a petition.
11. Put your child in a school that has recess and let the media know why you did.
12. Homeschool
Write more ideas below and I will add them here. Please let us know of any success stories as well.
Mothering Magazine: "Bring Back Recess!"
Mothering Magazine: "Bring Back Recess!"If there's one thing children know how to do, it's play. Unfortunately, unstructured free time-especially at school-is fast becoming a thing of the past. In "Give Me that Old-Time Recess," Christine Gross-Loh discusses why schoolyard fun is essential for kids' cognitive and social development.
Only three states require elementary schools to even hold recess, according to a 2000 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Free outdoor play has taken a back seat to rigorous academics. According to Audrey Skrupskelis, president of the American Association for the Child's Right to Play, "Recess is seen as an extra that students earn as a reward, rather than as a necessity-a time to unwind, relax, and get the energy out. But students who do not get a break are much more fidgety in the classroom and are deprived of interacting with different peers and watching and learning from other children. Eliminating recess is counter-productive."
In a growing number of studies, diminished opportunities for outdoor playtime have been linked to psychological and physical difficulties, such as increased childhood anxiety, disconnection from nature, attention deficit disorder, and the epidemic of childhood obesity. Indeed, without breaks during school, learning is impeded. Whereas a 15-minute break can lead to 20 minutes more of productive instructional time.
For this and other inspiring articles for parents, ask for Mothering magazine's March-April 2007 issue at your local bookstore, newsstand, or natural food store. Check out www.mothering.com.
Mothering is a bimonthly magazine that reports on natural family living. Articles cover pregnancy, natural childbirth, breastfeeding, education alternatives, and family health issues. Mothering's editors can serve as trusted resources and spokespeople for any stories involving birth and families.
Mothering Magazine
The Magazine of Natural Family Living
I read a copy of this magazine when my oldest daughter was a baby. I have been inspired by reading for the past 20 years. The ideas are sensible, heartwarming and always bring out the best in me as a mother.
- Mother Magazine
- Seeking practical advice about natural family living? Peruse the articles about natural family living topics in Mothering magazine's most current issue. Each issue of Mothering contains philosophical inspiration and practical advice about natural family living. Topics are as diverse as breastfeeding, circumcision, vaccinations, organic foods, childhood illnesses, home birth, ear infections, parenting teens, midwifery, and homeopathy.
Schools that Believe in Recess
Rather than taking away recess, it can be a great time for honing social skills as well a getting some physical exercise.
- 'You're It!' May Again Be Heard at Va. School - washingtonpost.com
- Students at Kent Gardens Elementary School in McLean are refining their dodging skills and polishing their recess etiquette this week in preparation for a game of tag.
- Middle schools beginning to revive recess | Kansas.com
- Little by little, recess appears to be making a comeback at Wichita middle schools, driven primarily by principals who see the benefit of fresh air and free time for young adolescents.
"Even prisoners get yard time," said Jennifer Sinclair, Truesdell's new principal, who reinstated lunchtime recess at the school this fall.
Tetherball
Jennifer Lance reminded me of how much I loved playing Tetherball in her article Outdoor Fun with Tetherball. I used to play Tetherball in grade school where children in 1st -8th graders played together.
Ground Mounted Institutional Quality Tetherball Set
Amazon Price: $78.95 (as of 10/06/2008)
Playground Equipment
Schools are becoming fearful of balls because children sometimes scrape their knees. Is this a reason not to allow ball games?
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Recess in the News!
- Pupils raise funds for new playground - Vindy.com News - Local & Regional News - Youngstown, Warren, Columbiana, Ohio
- "Children need to play. What we have now is a cardiovascular workout, a physical fitness effort. The play area is going to allow kids to play and be also be creative in their play," she said. "Play matters in the life of a child."
Teacher Community Forum
This is a forum exchanging ideas about teaching. We discuss centers, math manipulatives, "Read the Room", "Write the Room", Story Bags, Interactive Bulletin Boards, Lapbooking, Creative ways to teach ESL through Lemmi Sticks and lots, lots more. Click here to join in the fun.
Lots more Teaching Ideas
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Frog Unit Study: Hopping to Learn
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Take trips to the frog pond, play games and sing songs, gobble up the insect words and swat the fly verbs. Children will remember these lessons that allow them to manipulate objects and preferably get a little dirty in the process. This lens will g...
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Children learn and truly understand mathematical concepts best when engaged in hands-on activities and games. By manipulating everyday objects, playing games and finding out ways of solving everyday problems children gain a true understanding of the...
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Games: Let's Play!
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What do kids do best? Play of course. Why not encourage this natural tendency by providing your children with great entertaining games that just happen to be educational as well. Educational Games such as Mancala and Set teach math concep...
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Creatures of the Woodlands
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It is Autumn! The little Woodland Creatures are building looking for winter dens, storing up food and preparing for the long winter ahead. The Thornton Burgess Books, such as Old Mother Westwind, are just full of charming woodland creatures that bring...
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Whitefoot the Wood Mouse welcomes everyone to his nest where learning never ends. He has dozens of mouse related activities to teach young children across the curriculum. Whitefoot welcomes homeschoolers, teachers, parents and children to turn into...
Do you think all children have the right to recess?
Please let my know by leaving a comment here. Tell me about your favorite game or just how you feel about recess. Don't forget the stars at the top and if you lensroll this page or add it to your favorites please let me know so that I can reciprocate.
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EverythingMouse
I really liked this lens when I first saw it a while back. Now it is good to return to it again. Posted September 11, 2008 |
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stargazer00
When I was in elementary school we had 15 minutes in the morning and the afternoon, an hour after lunch and also had PE. Kids need that. We did a lot of roller skating, jumping rope and playing baseball. Fun! Posted September 08, 2008 |
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WhitePineLane
Another excellent lens, and a very important topic! At my kids' school, they have 15 minutes of recess a day, and they have to wolf down their lunches to have even that much! (And it's cut even shorter in winter when that time includes putting on boots and snowpants, etc.!) How pitiful is that?? Posted August 29, 2008 |
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spirituality
I know: my pe teacher told me once that one of the things kids learn from pe and just playing freely outside is a sense of space: which is necessary for math. Posted August 26, 2008 |
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aj2008
Great topic! Thank you for joining the Children and Parenting Group Posted August 23, 2008 |
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Lenses that promote breaks for children.
Please add your lenses that promote recess, games, outdoor activities, playtime, etc.
Educational Games
What do kids do best? Play of course. Why not enco more...4 points
Frog Unit Study: Hopping to Learn
The spring continues to warm the earth and frogs a more...4 points
A Walk in the Woods Headquarters
A Walk in the WoodsWhether connecting with my chil more...3 points
Unit Studies Headquarters
Unit Studies: Fun, Active, and Creative Learning J more...3 points
Woodchucks: How much learning could a Woodchuck teach if a Woodchuck could teach school?
Don't just hibernate, pop your head up and find ou more...3 points
It's Raining! It's Pouring!
Water, rain, puddles, wetness...There are endless more...3 points
White Foot the Wood Mouse: A Mouse Unit Study
Whitefoot the Wood Mouse welcomes everyone to his more...3 points
Garner Rix and the Royalton Raid
Garner Rix was just 12 when he moved with his fath more...3 points
Family Treasure Hunting (geocaching)
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in more...3 points
Rewards and Cheers
You don't need to offer candy or presents to rewar more...1 point