These Elementary Schools Tripled Recess Time and Saw Immediate Positive Results

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Who would’ve thought that giving kids more time to play could lead to better learning? In Texas, some elementary schools decided to take the plunge and dramatically increase their recess time, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. While many states restrict recess to a mere 20 minutes a day (or even less), parents are clamoring for more outdoor playtime for their kids. Yet, the education system seems fixated on pushing students to excel in tests rather than allowing them the freedom to, you know, be kids.

Eagle Mountain Elementary in Fort Worth, Texas, decided to shake things up by implementing two 15-minute recess breaks each morning and afternoon for their kindergarten and first-grade students. They even added an extra 15-minute break in the afternoon for older grades, effectively doubling their recess time. Initially, teachers worried about losing precious classroom instruction minutes, but after several months, they found that kids were actually learning more! The additional outdoor time helped students focus better in class and burn off excess energy. Shocking, right?

Three other schools in the district, upon hearing about these positive outcomes, decided to give the new schedule a whirl. The best part? The structure of this program is inspired by a 1960s initiative called Positive Action, which emphasizes recess and character development as keys to student success. This refreshing approach mirrors the renowned educational practices of Finland, which has drawn admiration globally for its focus on holistic child development.

Debbie Sutherland, an education professor, spearheaded what’s known as the LiiNK program—short for “Let’s inspire innovation ’n kids.” She was motivated by the alarming trend of student burnout by third grade and educator fatigue within five years. Observing Finland’s different approach in 2011, she spent six weeks there to learn what practices could be adapted for American schools.

“The two key components—recess and character development—are precisely what I identified as crucial in Finland. Ironically, we used to prioritize these elements back in the ’60s and ’70s, only to drift away from them while Finland took note and stuck to their guns,” Sutherland explained.

While American schools are drowning in standardized testing (with students facing an average of 112 mandatory tests from pre-K to 12th grade), Eagle Mountain Elementary’s principal, Tom Richards, is thrilled with the positive reactions from the kids: “We believe in essence we are giving children back their childhood.”

So if you’re one of those parents advocating for more recess time, you might just be onto something!

For more insights on the importance of play and innovative educational practices, check out this article from our other blog. And if you’re curious about how to enhance fertility, Make A Mom provides great information on supplements that can help.

In summary, the increase in recess time has yielded impressive results in enhancing student focus and learning, showing that a little outdoor play can go a long way in education. This innovative approach, while rooted in past practices, reminds us that sometimes the best way forward is to look back.