Regular Recess, A Secret To Success In Schools

Eagle Mountain Elementary School has a unique recess model, although it looks like play time at any other school where kids run around, squeal, stuffed up on the slides and fighting over swings then what makes recess at Eagle Mountain Elementary School different. Students here get more recess time, as recess bell is rung a lot out here. The school has a model of four recess a day, fifteen minutes each, this is for primary level students.

For a public school it sure is something new as no public school allows this much time for play, since the trend of recess is being cut down so kids can have more time for test preparations and tests. Kids believe they are just plain lucky, which is why they get more recess time while adults say it is because the school is a project part where the routine of students is designed as per the Finnish School System which has been ranking among the top international institutions.

With excess recess time, not just their test scores are good but they are healthy too in many aspects. The idea of recess program was indeed derived from the Finland’s school system, since American school do not give much recess time. Recently Eagle Mountain initiated triple recess time that stretched form 20 minutes to an hour. The main focus of the program is the nature of the students, their character building to make them empathetic and have positive behavior. Same recess design is being worked upon in numerous other schools in California, Oklahoma and Texas

A clear distinction in behavior can be made now, as per teachers students now make a longer eye contact and are less distracted. Most importantly students are no longer chewing, grinding or breaking their pencils, they are actually using them to write. Teachers can feel the difference, they were concerned about student’s educational basics with all the recesses fitting in, but students are rather way ahead of the decided schedule.

The basic rule is that if you wish for a kid to be attentive, complete the task without distraction and save all that you are stuffing into their memories, it is important that you allow them periodical breaks. Researches show that kids tend to be less distracted and more inclined towards learning after some physical activity or outdoor playground equipment. Kids with periodical recess perform better and behave better in many aspect, they are healthier physically and mentally, reflecting strong emotional and social development. Some typical traditionalists still believe students need more time for academic activities. But this program is more than just giving kids academics.

Schools keep pursuing their strategies as adults, trying to have more control over kid’s activities like they can use school playground equipment. Let kids do things the way they want to, they are the commandos of play, they now how to give their play a structure, they need this time to grow responsibly. Kids are better off without adult intervention. Let them be kids.