Even the Army acknowledges the need for a 10-minute break every hour during training sessions.

Some things never change.

In a survey following a conference I helped host, one adult conferee reported that his favorite parts of the conference were “the times between sessions.” Yeah, and I’ll bet his favorite subject in school was recess.

Now, to be fair, lots of good things happen at professional conferences between formal sessions. People stretch and refuel, meet new colleagues, share resources, and problem-solve around challenges they share in common. It’s not all just fun and games.

I have a hunch the same kinds of things happen during a typical elementary school recess. My memories of recess use up only about two brain cells, but I do recall cozying up to the girl with the jump rope (networking); racing to be first on the swings (strategizing); and lobbying for my turn when I wasn’t (negotiation.) Most of all, I remember week-long games of “make-believe” that turned jungle gyms into forts, fences into borders, and half-buried drain pipes into caves.

A lot of great things do happen during play, and research proves it. In fact, just this month the medical journal The Lancet reported that children’s mental development can benefit from stimulating play, even if the child is malnourished or living in poverty. Researchers examined programs from developing countries and found a link between intellect and child’s play. The children studied showed up to a nine-point improvement in their IQ from simply playing.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children took a stand as early as 1997 on the value of school recess and outdoor play. They contend that school recess is often the only time during the work week when children’s bodies, voices and schedules are not under tight control.

Some teachers, under the gun to raise student achievement, are pleased to have the extra time each day. They say there are fewer fights on the playground, and kids don’t lose focus while learning. They also report fewer playground injuries, which makes many parents happy.

Yet others point out that when kids miss out on physical activity and stress-relieving play, they get distracted from learning anyway. When they don’t get a break, they lose focus and can’t concentrate when it’s time to hit the books.

Need more proof that recess is more than a waste of good teaching time? Check out just a sampling of “recess facts”:

• Attention requires periodic novelty: the brain needs downtime to recycle chemicals crucial for long-term memory formation, and attention cycles throughout the day. Children learn more effectively when their efforts are distributed over time rather than concentrated in longer periods.
• A study found that fourth-graders were more on-task and less fidgety in the classroom on days when they had recess, especially those who tend to be hyperactive.
• Children permitted to play freely with peers develop skills for seeing things through another person’s point of view—cooperating, helping, sharing, and solving problems.
• Elementary school children engaged in physical activity 59 percent of the time during recess, with vigorous physical activity occurring 21 percent of the time—slightly more time in vigorous activity than occurred during physical education classes (15 percent).
• Physical activity improves general circulation, increases blood flow to the brain, and raises levels of norepinephrine and endorphins—all of which may reduce stress, improve mood, induce a calming effect after exercise and perhaps as a result improve achievement.

No one would argue that schools need to focus on preparing all children for the academic demands of a changing world. But is cutting out movement, fresh air and play the way to do it? Brain researchers, social scientists, physicians, child psychologists and parents are all beginning to answer with a resounding “no”!

“Recess defense” groups have popped up around the nation, organized by parents or teachers. This spring, the Cartoon Network and the National PTA launched a campaign called Rescue Recess, aimed at starting a grass-roots movement. The rise in childhood obesity and the call for school health policies makes defending recess an even higher-profile cause.

As my conference survey showed, recess fills a human need—even for adults. After all, judges call a recess when courtroom participants become tired or unfocused. Businesses of all sizes give their employees recess (we call them breaks). Even the Army acknowledges the need for a 10-minute break every hour during training sessions.

Shouldn’t our children be treated with as much respect?

Ready to get involved?
Despite all the evidence, an estimated 40 percent of U.S. schools do not provide children with recess. What can you do? Learn more, get involved:
Rescue Recess
Supported by the PTA, the Cartoon Network, CNN, and a host of others, this site offers research-based information and advocacy tips for kids, parents and teachers. Plus, the site has links that are just a lot of fun.

Fun before food?
Some schools have discovered that children waste less food, eat more slowly, and come back to the classroom more ready to learn when they switch the order of lunch and noon recess. Supporters say when lunch is after recess, kids:

• Eat 24 percent more of food by weight.
• Waste 30 percent less food by weight.
• Eat 8 percent more calories.
• Consume 35 percent more calcium.
• Consume 13 percent more vitamin A.

Source: National Food Service Management Institute at The University of Southern Mississippi