How Much Recess Should Kids Get?

Experts say recess is crucial to learning and development, but many kids don't get enough.

Schools may be held accountable for how well kids do at reading and math, but experts say that recess plays an essential but often overlooked role in children’s physical, emotional and intellectual development. While physical education focuses on teaching and practicing specific skills, recess is not instructional. Research shows that kids need this supervised free time to move and socialize in order to process their emotions and what they’re learning in class.

So why do kids need recess?

Studies show that at least 20 minutes of recess daily, along with 150 minutes of physical education a week, make a measurable difference in children’s weight.

Beyond the physical benefits, recess is important for kids emotionally and cognitively.

Other studies show that after recess children are more attentive in class, perform better cognitively and have fewer behavioural problems.

How much recess is enough?

Ideally, children should get four 15-minute recesses every day, says Debbie Rhea, a professor of kinesiology at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and director of the LiiNK Project, which advocates for outdoor play in schools.

How to make recess Better?

In addition to simply providing enough time for recess, schools should teach social skills that will make recess more successful, Rhea says.

Especially after missing in-person school during COVID-19, children need more opportunities to practice sharing, taking turns and resolving conflicts, says Massey.

Letting kids run fast will help them develop coordination. Running up the slide may not be as unsafe as it looks. And even falling, Rhea says, is something kids need to practice to avoid getting badly hurt. It’s also OK for kids to get bored.

“Adults have a hard time watching kids do nothing,” Rhea says. But “when kids get bored, they have to be creative and think of something to do.”

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