Recess in the 21st Century Post‐COVID World

Recess offers the potential to positively shape learning, social connection, emotional well-being, and physical health. When daily recess is available and with attention to creating safe and healthy play opportunities, research shows improvements in student attention, emotional regulation, classroom behavior, and overall school climate. Furthermore, less chaos and bullying at recess occur when safe and healthy play opportunities exist, which reduces the time teachers need to ready their students for learning when they return to class. Yet, recess is also a space that can be a challenge for schools, as a time when children may experience or witness negative social interactions such as bullying, isolation, or exclusion.