Why Kids Should Have RecessAllison Ciancibello

COMS 1010

Facts Related to Recess• Children have lost adequate play time during school• Recess has been replaced with class & learning time• Kids depression and anxiety increase with lack of play

time• Blood flow and learning are at peak right after exercise• You are less likely to get recess if • You are African American (39% do not have recess compared to 15%

of whites)• You live below the poverty line (44% do not have recess versus 17%

of others)• You are struggling academically (25% of those who scored below the

mean on standardized tests do not have recess versus 15% who scored above)

Benefits of Recess on Child Development• Recess benefits every area of child development• Physical development• Social development • Emotional development• Intellectual development

Physical Development• Exercise is healthy • Helps children that suffer from obesity• Develops gross motor skills • Children physically active at school are more likely to

be physically active at home • Time to let out energy

Social Development• Develops social skills• One of the only times a

child has the chance to communicate with others• Develop life skills such as

teamwork & conflict resolution

Emotional Development• Increased awareness of others emotions • Time to let out anger or frustration• Develops friendships & relationships with others • Helps create sympathetic behavior towards peers• Reduces stress

Intellectual Development • Outside light triggers synthesis of Vitamin

D which increases academic learning & productivity• Gives children a break from learning

causing work to be more effective• Increases focus & improved memory• Most of the brain is activated through

physical activity

Sources • Adams, Caralee. "Recess Makes Kids Smarter |

Scholastic.com." Scholastic Teachers. Scholastic, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.• "The Impact of Recess on Child Development."

Info.thinkfun.com. Thinkfun, 19 Oct. 2015. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.• Pica, Rae. "Why Kids Need Recess." Why Kids Need

Recess | Children's Health & Wellness. Pathways to Family Wellness, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.