Recess Standards

National Guidelines for Recess 

Recess helps students to achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity that can improve strength and endurance; enhance academic achievement; and increase self-esteem for children and adolescents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and SHAPE America have developed new guidance documents that provide schools with 19 evidence-based strategies for recess, as well as a planning guide and template to help develop a written recess plan that integrates these strategies. 

Benefits of Recess and Alternatives to Withholding Recess 

According to Rasmussen College, it may seem counterintuitive to send kids out to play when they’re falling below state standards, but recess advocates argue that getting outside for unstructured play may be more beneficial than keeping kids in the classroom all day. 

“When schools choose to cut recess, they should consider the benefits they are cutting also and evaluate if the reasons for cutting recess outweigh these benefits,” says Marie Conti, head of The Wetherill School and member of the American Montessori Society board of directors. Consider the following hidden benefits that highlight the importance of recess: 

  • Physical activity may improve brain function 
  • Recess promotes social skills. Recess also offers the chance for children to strengthen their leadership and negotiation skills, and it can prevent bullying.  
  • Recess fights childhood obesity 
  • Recess reduces stress 

Physical activity during the school day helps improve student learning, social-emotional skills and attention during class. However, recess and physical education are often taken away as punishment for students who don’t complete homework or act out in class. Often times, these are the students that need physical activity the most. Teachers and parents can do their part to ensure students get the activity they need by implementing healthy alternative consequences. 

Action for Healthy Kids® provides the following recommendations for alternative disciplinary Measures. Click here to download these tips in a printable PDF. 

Alternative Disciplinary Measures: 

Here are some ways to discipline kids and offer teachable moments. Students can: 

  • Clean up the mess they made or remedy the situation for which they are being punished (natural consequence). 
  • Write an essay on what they did wrong and how to behave better next time (reflection and self-evaluation). 
  • Write an apology letter to the person who has been wronged. Use it as an opportunity to discuss the importance of seeking and giving forgiveness. 
  • Miss a class trip or school event if they cannot behave properly (loss of a privilege). 
  • Do community service. 
  • Stay late after school for detention. 
  • Have credit deducted for homework that is turned in late. 

Positive Classroom Management Techniques 

Positive classroom management techniques can be used to avoid behavior problems all together. By reinforcing positive behaviors and setting clear expectations, students are less likely to misbehave. 

  • Include students in establishing classroom expectations and outcomes; review expectations frequently. 
  • Be consistent with enforcing behavioral expectations 
  • Reward positive behavior: 
    • Trip to treasure box filled with non-food items such as stickers, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, school supplies, etc. for good behavior 
    • Access to items that can only be used on special occasions as a reward for good behavior such as special art supplies, games or toys 
    • Special privileges for good behavior such as having lunch with the teacher or friends 

Visit Action for Healthy Kids® for additional tips and resources. 

Original source: https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/activity/alternatives-to-denying-physical-activity-as-punishment/