Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists February 2016 | Page 9

Kids Learn Better After Breaks
A recent article on NPR entitled “Turns Out
Monkey Bars And Kickball Might Be Good
For The Brain” discusses a school in Texas
that has increased recess to 15 minutes 4
times per day for kindergarteners and first
graders. The leader of the changes is a
kinesiologist who based the program on
Finland schools. Many of the teachers
are noticing changes in their students
behaviors and ability to stay on task.
Dr. Robert Murray previously compiled
research for the American Academy of
Pediatrics suggesting that kids with regular
recess behave better, are physically healthier and exhibit stronger social and emotional
development. The policy statement is entitled “The Crucial Role of Recess in School”. The
researchers recommend the following:
1. “Recess is a necessary break in the day for optimizing a child’s social, emotional, physical,
and cognitive development.” Don’t withhold recess from children.
2. “Cognitive processing and academic performance depend on regular breaks from
concentrated classroom work.” This is true for adolescents and young children.
3. ” Recess is a complement to, but not a replacement for, physical education.” Recess
allows for unstructured free time whereas physical education class in academically based and
structured.
4. “Recess can serve as a counterbalance to sedentary time.” Recess time can help children
to achieve the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day.
5. “Recess should be safe and well supervised.” Make sure there is well maintained
equipment and safe surfaces to run and play.
6. “Peer interactions during recess are a unique complement to the classroom.” If you over
hear children during recess you will quickly observe that communication, negotiation and self
regulation skills are developed on the playground.
Need ideas for movement breaks? Check out all of the Brain Break titles for movement
breaks throughout the school day or indoor recess ideas at
http://yourtherapysource.com/brainbreaks.html
References: Connelly, C. Turns Out Monkey Bars And Kickball Might Be Good For The
Brain. NPREd. Retrieved from the web on 1/5/16 at
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/01/03/460254858/turns-out-monkey-bars-and-kickballare-good-for-the-brain
Murray, R et al. The Crucial Role of Recess in School. Pediatrics 2013;131;183; originally
published online December 31, 2012; COUNCIL ON SCHOOL HEALTH. DOI:
10.1542/peds.2012-2993

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