Kids Need Recess — Cutting It for More Learning Time Is Counterproductive
In this video, Dr. Justin Baeder argues that cutting recess to add instructional time backfires because students need physical breaks to learn effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Recess improves learning - Physical activity and unstructured play support cognitive function, not just physical health
- Cutting recess is counterproductive - Students who lose recess are less focused during instruction, negating any time gained
- Protect recess - Schools should treat recess as essential, not as optional time that can be redirected
Transcript
Kids need recess.
Kids need lots of recess.
And I think there probably is like some point of diminishing returns where we're giving too much recess, but I haven't seen it.
If we are trying to free up academic time, if we want kids to spend more time on task, it doesn't make any sense to cut recess and say, well, they need to be in the classroom learning more.
They're going to learn more when they're in the classroom if they have recess and i think the cutting back on recess thing started in the wake of no child left behind but that was like 25 years ago right like we have learned our lesson by this point that recess is worth the investment and teachers do not have to supervise recess here's the thing recess can be prep time for teachers it shouldn't be their only prep like teachers need like more prep time than you know 15 minutes here and there but it can be a time when you have other people supervise and give teachers a chance to collaborate, to get ready, to make copies, all the things that teachers need to do.
And this is not very expensive.
In my school, when I was a principal, we spent $10,000 or $15,000 a year on recess supervisors, playground supervisors, who were mostly parents, paid them by the hour.
It wasn't that much money.
And it was a great deal because kids got to run around and play, which they need to do.
and teachers got a little bit of extra prep time.
So I think recess is a win-win.
I think schools that are cutting recess in order to increase classroom time are making a bad investment.
Let me know what you think.