Active Outdoor Recess
Elementary schools should incorporate a minimum of 20 minutes per day of recess for all grades and 30 minutes for primary grades. The benefits of recess also extend to secondary grades, too!
Read MoreAre your students restless from being cooped up inside due to rain or cold? Active indoor recess is a great way to get physically moving, regardless of space or equipment constraints. Support students in getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day by implementing a fun and engaging indoor recess program.
Try some of these strategies to get your students moving during indoor recess:
Activities such as these help students explore…
Self-Management: Incorporating active indoor recess during the winter months allows children to wiggle, jump, or dance out any excess energy that has built up from being inside. Active indoor recess also provides opportunities for children to come up with their own ideas on how to get active and better manage feelings and emotions. Allowing students to have autonomy in their movement develops creativity and self-confidence.
Relationship Skills: Because active indoor recess may take place in a more confined area, the opportunities for team and partner activities are endless! Make the most out of an active indoor recess by planning partner and team activities in order to help children understand the strength in teamwork and communication.
Social Awareness: Recess provides free time that allows children to use their imaginations and engage in meaningful ways with friends through unstructured play. Unstructured play helps students develop empathy and see different perspectives for others’ ideas.
Get student input – What would they like to do during indoor recess? Perhaps host a student and staff survey to gain insight and integrate trending activities and games.
Establish indoor recess structures and routines, and practice them consistently to ensure students are safe and not disturbing other classes.
Provide on-going support and learning opportunities for teachers to find new, safe and age-appropriate ways to keep students active while indoors.
Coordinate with you school’s physical education teacher to offer games and other activities safe for a classroom setting.
Recruit a local fitness instructor or a parent with a fitness background to host fitness classes during recess.
Ask parent volunteers to compile indoor recess carts or bags for student use throughout the year.
Connect with a local college or university to have student volunteers lead activities during recess – these volunteers serve as great role models, too.
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