Why?

 Recess plays a key role in a child’s physical, social, and academic development. Recess provides students with time to be active that helps them develop healthy bodies and enjoy moving more. It also allows children the opportunity to practice life skills such as:  Cooperation  Negotiation  Following rules  Sharing  Communication  Conflict resolution

Students play! Then eat! Research shows that students:  Waste less food  Behave better on the playground, in the cafeteria, and in the classroom  And are more likely to learn upon returning to the classroom immediately after lunch, so less instructional time is lost

 Children ate 24% more food  Wasted 30% less food  Consumed 8% more calories  Consumed 35% more calcium  13% more vitamin A

What students say…  I get to play soccer sooner  We get to play before lunch now  If you eat before recess, you don’t get a tummy ache  It takes off all your energy so you aren’t moving around so much at lunch What teachers say… We have more uninterrupted teaching time Kids are more settled upon returning to the classroom There is decreased behavior problems on the playground The atmosphere in the cafeteria is more relaxed and conducive to eating Students are not rushing through lunch anymore Students are actually eating while socializing

 It’s better when they go out to recess first. They seem to have a better appetites.  Students are a lot quieter and eat more of their lunch.  Kids want to play, not eat. This way they are not in a hurry to get outside.

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