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Benefits of Recess and Executive Function Skills

Do your students have daily recess? Does your school promote longer recess periods? Research shows us that there are many benefits to recess. It can even help with executive function skills. Executive function skills include planning, organization, working memory, initiation, task monitoring, self-monitoring, inhibition, emotional control, and shifting/flexibility. Wow! Those are lot of super important skills that are necessary for students to succeed. And just think, recess can help!

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What Does the Research Say on the Benefits of Recess and Executive Function Skills?

Do you need quick and easy brain breaks for the classroom? You can download two FREE printables that are perfect for the classroom.

Recess Improved Inhibition and Verbal Working Memory Skills

Pediatric Exercise Science published research examining the effects of a physical activity program including both aerobic exercise and cognitively engaging physical activities on children’s physical fitness and executive functions.  Children from elementary school were divided into two groups – intervention (53 children) and control (52 children).  The intervention group participated in a 22-week physical activity program for 30 min during lunch recess, twice a week. Children in the control group followed their normal lunch routine. Aerobic fitness, speed and agility, and muscle strength were assessed using the Eurofit test battery. Executive functions were assessed using tasks measuring inhibition (Stroop test), working memory (Visual Memory Span test, Digit Span test), cognitive flexibility (Trailmaking test), and planning (Tower of London). The results indicated the following:

  1. children who participated in the cognitively engaging aerobic exercise program showed significantly greater improvement than children in the control group on the Stroop test and Digit Span test, indicating improved inhibition and verbal working memory skills.
  2. no differences were found on any of the physical fitness variables.

The researchers concluded that a physical activity program including aerobic exercise and cognitively engaging physical activities can enhance aspects of executive functioning in primary school children.

Reference:   van der Niet, Anneke G.; Smith, Joanne; Oosterlaan, Jaap; Scherder, Erik J. A.; Hartman, Esther; Visscher, Chris. Effects of a Cognitively Demanding Aerobic Intervention During Recess on Children’s Physical Fitness and Executive Functioning.  Pediatric Exercise Science . Feb2016, Vol. 28 Issue 1, p64-70. 7p. 2 Charts.

Recess Helps with Attention, Problem Solving, Memory and Planning

Another study in 26 schools in the United States, investigated the relationship between recess quality, recess time, and various measures of child health and development. The researchers collected data using observation, behavioral assessments, and student report.

Following data analysis, the results indicated that high quality recess significantly predicted the following student behaviors:

  • Executive functioning: The cognitive skills that help with attention, problem solving, memory and planning.
  • Resilience: ability to overcome adversity and mistakes
  • Emotional self-control
  • Positive Classroom Behaviors such as adaptability, leadership, social skills, study skills and communication.

The researchers concluded that the quality of recess (e.g., physical and emotional safety, student engagement, adult engagement) is likely a large factor in fostering the social and emotional benefits of recess.

Massey, W. V., Thalken, J., Szarabajko, A., Neilson, L., & Geldhof, J. (2021). Recess quality and social and behavioral health in elementary school students. Journal of School Health91(9), 730-740.

Do you need quick and easy brain breaks for the classroom? You can download two FREE printables that are perfect for the classroom.

Read More About the Benefits of Recess

Why Is Recess Important?

Do Kids Need Recess? Heck Yes and Here is Why

Academic Benefits of Recess

Free Indoor Recess Packet

Resources for Executive Function Skills

The Animal Walks Bundle are no-prep calming tools that encourage self-regulation, exercise and deep breathing to help students succeed in the classroom! 

Are you interested in increasing the focus, concentration, working memory, body awareness, executive function, and self-regulation of your students?  Would you like a quick and easy, no-plan, grab-and-go gross motor activity? Do you need to lead gross motor groups within a small space? You can use Animal movement posters hung on the wall of a therapy room or sensory room.  Hand-held cards can be pulled out for a quick brain break. The Animal Walks Bundle are no-prep calming tools that encourage self-regulation, exercise, and deep breathing to help students succeed in the classroom!

Research shows us that there are many benefits to recess. It can even help with executive function skills.