One of the most “popular” forms of punishment for bad behavior in the schools is sitting out of recess. Glance at any elementary school during recess time and chance are, you’ll see a handful of kids standing by a wall because they are in trouble.
Losing recess is a quick and convenient punishment for kids who are misbehaving, but is it actually beneficial for anyone? No. Kids do need consequences BUT there are much more effective ways than losing recess. Find out the why teachers should never take away recess and get some ideas for alternate punishments to use instead.
Reason #1- Recess can improve classroom behaviors
There are plenty of research studies that have concluded that recess helps to improve fidgety and off task behaviors. One study highlighted that fidgety time increased the longer recess was delayed and decreased after recess time had ended. Kids who are constantly fidgety (which are often incorrectly thought of as misbehaving and consequently in trouble) can especially benefit from recess.
Reason #2- Recess can improve attention in the classroom
According to a 2013 study, controlled experiments have shown that children who have recess breaks show increased alertness in academic tasks in the classroom. It’s sadly ironic that the children who often lose their recess time for “not paying attention in class” are the ones that need the breaks the most.
Reason #3- Recess can improve various school skills
Playground equipment contains an abundance of academic benefits. For examples, monkey bars build fine motor skills needed for better handwriting and cutting. The swings provide vestibular input which improves coordination and an internal rhythm needed in reading fluency. There are many other links between playground equipment to academic performance found in this post here.
Reason #4- Recess can improve test scores
Missing out on recess can negatively effect test scores? Although there are a lot of factors that can affect test scores, there have been studies showing direct correlations between increased physical activity and achievement on academic testing.
Reason #5- Recess can improve social skills
Chances are, many of the kids who are frequently in trouble are also having difficulty communicating appropriately with peers or teachers. These are the kids who often don’t know how to resolve conflicts or problem solve on their own. Recess time helps to develop those essential social skills because kids are placed in an unstructured situation that requires them to interact, problem solve, resolve conflicts, take turns, and engage in imaginary play with each other.
Alternatives Ideas to Losing Recess
- Instead of “sitting out” of recess, have the student walk laps or do exercises during recess time
- Have the student miss time from a more sedentary classroom reward such as a movie or free choice screen time
- Assign that student to “clean up duty” after recess by running to pick up all the balls and equipment left on the playground
- Have the student write an apology note for inappropriate actions
- Have the student do “classroom jobs” such as washing blackboards, organizing books, sharpening pencils, etc…
Keep those ideas coming for alternative ideas to losing recess in the comment section below and as always, thanks for reading and INVESTING in your child!
As always, we at the Bouncing Teeter Totters like Amy’s article. She does a great job of arguing against cancelling recess for students and in giving alternative corrective actions. We firmly believe that recess is very important to children. We have even voiced our opinions in favor of reestablishing a recess period for students here in Florida. We support SB-78 and HB-67 that would require at least 20 min of recess a day for students. Thanks again Amy for your positions.
Thanks so much Chuck! I couldn’t agree more and I support your efforts in making recess mandatory! Please keep me updated on how this goes…
I agree with all of the positives about recess. However, here in NC, it is mandatory to provide recess each day to students and it is illegal to take it away. That is actual legislation that is on the books. In addition, our district has literally no alternative consequences. None. Most of the alternatives mentioned in the article are simply not allowed here. Walking laps – no. Doing exercises – no. Clean up duty – no. Classroom jobs as a punishment – no. Missing a special time happens maybe once a quarter, so makes no impression. Writing a note of apology might make some students reflect, but if the parent objected – no. I’d love to hear some other ideas that could possibly be approved and allowed. This is a great conversation!
Wow- very interesting. I”m glad to hear recess is mandatory in NC but I’m very shocked to hear exercise and walking is not allowed?? I’d love to hear more ideas too… thanks!
Oh, yes parents took away walking and exercise instead of free play, saying that it “singled out my child for public humiliation”. Another parent emailed a STATE SENATOR (I swear you can’t make this stuff up), saying we were making whole classes of students walk in the hot sun until they dropped. It never happened! It came all the way back down the line to the superintendent to our principal, who had to abolish walking at recess. As a mother of 3 and a teacher of hundreds, I certainly want children to have play time, but we simply have no consequences any more. And people wonder why kids behave the way they do.
I know exactly what you are saying! I teach first grade in WV and my school actually had the state BOE called on us because we were making kids walk during recess for 5-10 minutes if they got in trouble before recess time. We were told by the state that it was corporal punishment! There are no consequences for a child’s behavior in school. People wonder why kids behave the way they do! No consequences for their actions. We are not allowed to take away anything, especially recess, as a cosequence.
Wow… that’s very interesting. Thanks for your reply
I feel your pain! We had a similar incident. Sheesh!
I’m pretty late to the game here but I also teach in NC and at my school we have recess zones. The least favorite is the blacktop area so students are assigned to that zone for the day or a period of time if they misbehave. They are free to do whatever they want, in that area. Works well for us.
That’s an idea I hadn’t heard of before… thanks for sharing!
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