Recess affects concentration levels in students

Posted by Beth DuBose on Apr 03, 2009

A study published in the February 2009 issue of the journal Pediatrics studies links between recess and classroom behavior in 11,000 children aged 8 to 9. The study showed that those children receiving more than 15 min of recess a day had better behavior and concentration in class. 

This does not come as a surprise to me at all. I am sure as adults we all expect and need a 15 min break to regroup in the middle of the day, and our attention span is much longer than a child’s. The ability for children to give their minds a rest and get a little exercise is essential, I believe, to allowing them to recharge for the rest of the school day. How many times have you been in a long meeting or seminar and felt like if you could just get up and walk around for a few minutes, you could get your focus back?



I know with the expectations that are put on schools today, it is hard not to try to use every minute to provide instruction to our children. But by not giving them a break, we might be doing more harm to their concentration. Especially with schools losing Physical Education time and more students going home and playing video games instead of playing outside, a short recess for young children might be more important than ever. I am not saying go out to the playground for an hour, but 15-20 min a day should be sufficient. A lot of teachers are even working lessons into their outdoor time. I have seen classes outside doing a measurement lesson as they go around and measure different playground equipment. I have seen Science lessons being conducted as classrooms take nature walks. Being outdoors provides children with the chance of getting some fresh air and movement. Even if you plan to teach outside your students may feel like you have taken them on a mini-field trip.



To read the entire article, visit The New York Times.