Lewiston is among the Maine schools that are adding more recess breaks. Here’s why.
Montello Elementary School students take advantage of the fine fall weather during recess Thursday morning at the school on East Avenue in Lewiston. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)
Recess. It’s most young students’ favorite time of day.
For 25 minutes, they can get outside and socialize with their friends, climb on the playground, or participate in activities that help them get their energy out.
Experts say it’s one of the most important parts of a young student’s day. It’s proven to not only increase a student’s level of physical activity, but also helps them in the classroom by improving their memory and attention, helping them stay on-task and avoid disruptive behavior, according to studies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That’s exactly why some schools in Maine have added additional recess time for students, and teachers and administrators are reporting notable improvements.
Roxanne Lenhert and Melissa Hunt with Lewiston Public Schools emphasize the importance of getting kids outside to play, especially in a world where screens seem to rule. Lenhert is an occupational therapist and Hunt is a physical therapist.
“They’re getting those social skills as well, so they’re learning how to interact with each other and how to help their peers. We have some students with delayed motor skills and I’ve seen some take their hands and say, ‘Let me help you.’ They’re learning those skills,” Hunt said.
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In Farmington-area Regional School Unit 9, adding additional time outside has improved attendance, reduced tardiness and smoothed out classroom routines. If students arrive early enough, they can have an additional 15 minutes of recess before school starts.
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“Teachers report that students are arriving calmer and more prepared, and making much smoother morning adjustments,” said Stacey Gilbert, principal at a Farmington elementary school.
“Parents are equally excited about the initiative, noting that morning battles to get ready have turned into students rushing them out the door so they can get to school on time for recess,” she said.
In Lewiston, Montello Elementary School added an additional 20 minutes of play per day for kindergarten through third grade. Principal Tiffany Sax said the decision improved physical stamina, classroom focus, and supports healthy child development.
“During these play breaks, we encourage staff to join in the play with students to model positive social behaviors, and support students with learning appropriate conflict resolution skills.
“While we are still evaluating the long-term impact of this addition, the immediate response is clear: Students love the extra time to play, and overall office referrals are down compared to previous school years,” Sax said.
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RECESS STRUCTURE
In Lewiston, students in kindergarten through sixth grade have 25 minutes of recess a day, said Lenhert, who rotates around the district’s schools with Hunt.
The amount of time a school has for recess is up to the administrators at each building.
Maine law requires kindergarten through fifth grade to have at least 30 minutes of recess a day, which can include transition time from classes or to lunch or recess. Classrooms incorporate a “brain break” through instructional periods and encourage the use of outdoor space, Sax said.
Some schools in Lewiston, like Farwell Elementary School, offer an additional 20 minutes for kindergarten only. Raymond A. Geiger Elementary School has a 15-minute team-building block for structured play for first and second grade students. Structured play can mean that a teacher decides how to spend the time, rather than having students decide.
Montello Elementary School students take advantage of the fine fall weather during recess Thursday morning at the school on East Avenue in Lewiston. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Where recess takes place is less important than the ability for students to have a break, educators said.
However, if it’s too cold or raining, and students stay inside for recess, teachers said the difference in behavior is noticeable. Lenhert said when students do not have outdoor recess, it can impact their ability to participate and focus.
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“As adults, when we are expected to sit for long periods of time, how much better do you feel when you can go outside, move your body for a little bit. Your heart rate is increased and you come back to the table and can feel the benefits. It’s evident in little bodies as well,” said Lenhert.
A newly formed group in Maine would like to see recess increased across the state.
The Maine chapter of Say YES to RECESS is calling for two 30-minute recess periods, creating protected time for children to move, play, connect and learn through play.
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“This isn’t about choosing recess over academics,” chapter leader Danielle Dalton, of Scarborough, said in a recent op-ed. “It is about recognizing that play is part of learning, and that some of the most important skills children develop cannot be taught solely through instruction.”
BENEFITS OF PLAY
When students are outside, they can choose to play on the playground, organize a sports game, or use the equipment the schools have, like jump ropes.
Climbing on the structures helps build their muscles, specifically their hand muscles, which can then help young children with writing. Running around helps reset the student’s nervous system, which helps them perform better in class, educators said.
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Hunt also emphasized the importance of children watching each other play. It helps strengthen their motor skills if can they imitate a friend’s motions.
“The motor imitation is really good. I don’t think we can always get the same type of motor imitation when watching a movement video. It’s beneficial to see another human being in your space do the activity, then think, ‘I’m going to do that,'” Hunt said.
The pair said students’ strength to climb on the monkey bars or to hold their heads up when they lay on their stomachs has gone down from a lack of play and more screen time. Lenhert said that beyond the screens, sometimes families in the area do not feel safe sending their children outside to play where they live.
In addition to recess, teachers are encouraged to incorporate physical activity through the day, even if it’s just standing up and walking around the classroom. Some of the elementary schools have hopscotch painted on the walkway, or signs that encourage students to stretch as they walk along the pathway as a way to stimulate movement.
“It’s just really important,” said Hunt. “I really hope to see all schools take a step more in the direction of integrating more movement through the day and not just on the screen.”
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Tagged: education, farmington, lewiston, news, schools
Emily Duggan is a staff writer for the Kennebec Journal. She graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of New Hampshire, where she was a news editor and staff writer for The New Hampshire. More by Emily Duggan
