Recess is an important part of the school day for elementary school students. But what do you do when the weather doesn’t cooperate and you can’t send students outside? Here are some indoor recess games for elementary students that will keep them entertained and active, and keep YOU sane during indoor recess time! WHY DO […]
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 […]
As school based therapists, we are often asked why is recess important? Often times we try to educate school staff on why withholding recess from students can be detrimental. If you want to help students in the classroom? Add recess time! Evidence indicates that higher levels of physical activity at recess were related to better […]
If you ask children what their favorite school subject is many will respond recess! Unfortunately, unstructured, free play for kids is becoming a thing of the past. Thirty to forty percent of elementary schools in the United States are eliminating, decreasing or considering eliminating recess. (1,2). Some schools are making these decisions due to increased […]
Here are a few freebies that work great for indoor recess when you need something in a hurry. They would make a fun back to school gift for teachers – print them off, toss them in a file folder and teachers have some “go to” activities for when the weather takes a turn for the […]
A study was recently published on 186 Finnish children in grades 1-3 looking at the relationships between: different types of physical activity/sedentary behavior and reading/arithmetic skills. The results indicated the following: 1. higher levels of physical activity at recess were related to better reading skills 2. participation in organized sports was linked to higher arithmetic test scores […]
Do you work with children who are unsafe on the playground at recess time? Perhaps it is a lack of body awareness, safety awareness or decreased motor skills but keep in mind it could be a lack of understanding of what the rules are during recess. Review rules with children at the start of the […]
No matter what the weather, schools need to encourage recess time. Whether it be free play time outdoors on playground equipment, using loose parts (ie balls, jump ropes, etc) or indoor time on rainy, cold days, students benefit from the break for some of the following reasons: 1. Children learn self regulation and the ability […]
I follow a blog written by the Recess Doctor which I highly recommend. The blog reported on a research study done in 2005 supporting painting lines on a playground. Preventive Medicine published research that found when markings were painted on the playground, moderate to vigorous physical activity increased by 37% whereas the control groups activity […]