Recess

Recess needs more attention that it gets.

Here are a few reasons:

Recess can influence the whole day, week, year or even school experience for some students. Recess can be a scary time for kids who are shy or have trouble constructing their own ways to interact and make friends.

Kids will push and shove as they play to create their own excitement if the choices we offer don't offer enough excitement.

Recess can be a great time to teach kids about problem solving, sharing, conflict resolution, social norms and self advocation.

A couple of cones, a soccer ball and an engaging recess "coach" can do wonders for kids who have trouble at recess.

In my work at schools, I want to treat recess almost as a class--not as a "duty." I hate the attitudes around recess "duty." It's an incredible missed teaching opportunity in most schools.