Ready for Recess?
Submitted by: Heather Rootsaert, HPEC
Edmonton Co-Regional Representative
Hello fellow HPECers! As Alberta
endures what feels like the longest record low temperature streak in forever,
forcing students to stay inside for recess after recess, I thought it timely to
blog about the importance of recess and share some resources and ideas of what
other Canadians are doing to support it.
In relation to schools, recess is a
temporary break(s) from the usual school work that occurs throughout the school
day. Regardless of the temperature outside or other circumstances like student
behaviour, staff members and students of all ages need these regularly
scheduled breaks throughout the day, everyday. So why have many AB
schools abolished the afternoon recess and/or why are teachers still
“punishing” student behaviour by taking the much needed recess break away?
When we talk about
the importance of a Comprehensive School Health (CSH) approach and spreading
Physical Literacy throughout our schools, we have to look beyond what is
happening solely in the classroom. CSH requires that the whole school community
be invested & involved and Physical Literacy takes into account four
domains of a person: physical, social, emotional and cognitive.
Therefore, recess
is a significant piece of the pie that should not be overlooked. Recess, like
Physical Education, is so much more than just the physical. We cannot separate
the physical domain from the social or the cognitive or the emotional domains.
Children (people) are not wired that way! Recess is an essential break
that can provide a short distraction for children, help break up long periods
of sedentary time, enhance children’s development in all four of the domains of
physical literacy and provide children with the benefits of being outdoors. I
would strongly argue that these benefits can be for big kids, adults, too!
If you haven’t
heard about what Bruderheim, AB is trying out this
year as far as recess, I encourage you to click on this link - Stretching Out Recess:
One Alberta school doubled its breaks and is finding more focused kids
Also, the Canadian
Public Health Association has just launched this article on recess and outdoor play
that has some useful information as well as additional references and links to
check out.
Lastly, for now, the province of
Quebec put out this resource in 2017 which also has some great advocacy points
and suggestions for schools Recess: An Important Aspect
to School Success
All the best as we, hopefully, head
into spring in the next few weeks! Who is ready for recess? We ALL should be!
