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Article : 10 Reasons Why Recess is So Important

10 Reasons Recess is so Important

By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

The Recess Doctor


1) Recess is important because it serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated, academic challenges in the classroom. It also offers cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits that may not be fully appreciated when a decision is made to diminish it. Pediatrics, Dec. 31, 2012.


Cognitive Benefits

2) Several studies demonstrate that recess, whether performed indoors or outdoors, made children more attentive and more productive in the classroom Jarrett, O. J. Education Research, 1998.

3) Morning outdoor breaks contribute to optimal cognitive processing and a break from academic instruction when interspersed between academic blocks of instruction required by the concentrated instruction. Pellegrino AD. Recess: Its Role in Education Development 205.

To read reasons 3-10 go to full article

Do You Have the Stats?

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I saw a news article today about a school who said, "Recess at our schools is really bad. We have this number ____ of office referrals after every recess". They had the stats to back up the need for implementing and trying new solutions.


Our playground report is a tool you can use to determine how many office referrals you're getting for playground violations daily, weekly, monthly.


If you're an administrator, this is a powerful tool to advocate for teacher buy in on new solutions or promoting a new program, like the Recess Program.


It's also a tool built into our recess program for dealing with playground violations by addressing it with the student, the teacher and the parent. In most cases, the parent is the key to changing the behavior.



Equipment Sale - Exp April 15th, 2026

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Full Equipment Pack


$200 off


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Annual Replacement Pack

$200 off


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Ball Cart

$200 off


ONLINE TRAINING

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Course Description

The Peaceful Playgrounds Online Playground Supervisor Training is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, parents, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground.

This course details playground surfacing, play structure, safety, and playground supervision.


Why is this Course Important?


An average of 15-17 children die each year from playground accidents in the U.S., with 56% from strangulation and 20% from falls. Playgrounds represent the single largest location category for elementary school injuries, accounting for roughly one-third of all school injuries.


"In every single playground injury case I’ve worked on over 25 years, negligent supervision has been a contributing factor in the lawsuit. Proper supervision is the basic duty of care schools owe to the children in their charge." - Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

ONLINE COURSE OPTIONS


Playground Supervisor Training

Bullying Prevention Training

Grant Writing Course

Recess Before Lunch Training

Pedometer Walking Program Training


**NEW Course Bundle**

$2,250

How to Have A Peaceful Playground

Low Cost, High Activity Playground

Playground and Strategies for Improving Recess


Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program

Five Playground Problems

 

Peaceful Playgrounds has a “Recess Kit” that holds the solutions to 5 identified playground problems. Namely:

  • Inconsistent game rules which lead to arguments
  • Lack of problem-solving strategies that can be easily and readily taught to students
  • Lack of equipment (balls, jump rope, etc. ) or tools to be active
  • Establishing behavior rules and expectations for safe play.
  • The real “game changer” was the design of the new game markings.


By Dr. Bossenmeyer, explaining how she created the game markings and stencils.


"When children were playing peacefully and engaged in games, I created a game marking for the activity. The experience came from my time as teacher, mentor, site principal and regional administrator and seeing first hand what works on playgrounds.

 

To envision “unique designs”, think of designs like hopscotch and basketball, then think of those designs which include an alphabet grid, alphabet running track, bean bag toss, wall ball, multi-use circle and much, much more. I found that painting the games on the blacktop was the key because it helped children to visually select games and remember “game options”.


I found that for children, the “out–of-sight out-of-mind” principle, was in play so a painted marking was the key to ensuring a variety of game options."



The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 2 million children annually for over 28 years!


Contact us. We can assist you with brochures, estimate and everything you need to get started today.


(951) 245-6970 or officestaff@peacefulplaygrounds.com


The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 4 million children annually for over 28 years!

Alternatives to Withholding Recess

Recess is a right, not a reward. Withholding play harms children’s ability to focus, self-regulate, and engage in class. Positive behavior systems work better than taking recess away.

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Discipline Alternatives to Withholding Recess


READ ARTICLE AND DOWNLOAD FREE

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Positive Alternatives to Withholding Recess


READ ARTICLE AND DOWNLOAD FREE

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64 Alternatives to Withholding Recess


READ ARTICLE AND DOWNLOAD FREE

'Fun'damental Movement

GREAT FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS

Fundamental Movement Program


allows you to create an outdoor motor learning lab painted on preschool and elementary school playgrounds for preschool children. An easy, do-it-yourself layout plan transforms your play space into a colorful arrangement of learning games and motor skills activities.


You can teach movement skills like jumping, balancing, hopping and more.


Active Kids. Confident Educators. Zero PE Experience Needed.


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YOU'LL LOVE IT BECAUSE:


No Prep, No Stress


Just open and teach—each activity is ready to go with step-by-step instructions and visual guides.


Confidence for Non-PE Teachers


Build your skills while helping kids develop strength, coordination, balance, and focus.


Any Space, Any Time


Works in classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, playgrounds—or wherever you have room to move!


You can choose the Full Kit which includes options for painting the blacktop or the option for the Curriculum minus painting.


April 2026 Winner


Cynthia Isaksen - Jardine Academy, NJ





Enter your school today in the "Learn to Play" US Map Playground Map Stencil Giveaway. The beautiful geographically and proportionately accurate educational map stencil is 20 feet by 36 feet and extends the classroom curriculum to recess and outdoor play. History and geography come alive with the games and activities included in the stencil set.

You might be the next winner. Good Luck!


Direct Links to our Most Popular Programs


Recess Program 

Fundamental Movement

Jogging Walking Track

Fitness Fun ZoneTrail

Playground Stencils


Need Assistance??? officestaff@peacefulplaygrounds.com


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