Recess = Stress Reduction

Stress caused by a number of factors, including a lack of recess, can have a negative impact on children. By including recess as part of a child’s school day, it can reduce stress. Children need a developmentally appropriate strategy to reduce this stress. Recess allows children to engage in high level thinking which fosters cognitive development. Adults should encourage interaction of children that guide children toward solutions, but refrain from providing all solutions for them. Free play can look like just playing to the casual observer, but to the child, play is developmentally important. For more information on the importance of play, check out the following link: http://www.nifplay.org/