I Used to Dread Recess Every Day...

Until I Changed My Approach

Dear Principal,

As a former elementary school principal, I understand the daily challenges of recess and the responsibility of keeping children safe on the playground.

When I first became a principal, I honestly didn't know where to begin. After every single recess, students were lined up outside my office because of conflicts and fights with other children.

The nurse was sending me reports of playground injuries.

Recess was mandatory, but I found myself dreading what would happen after every lunch period. It felt like every afternoon started with another problem to solve, another parent to call, another incident report to complete.

Every day was a headache...and I knew something had to change.

So I created a plan.

Instead of reacting to problems after they happened, we focused on preventing them before they occurred. By improving playground supervision, clarifying expectations, and giving supervisors the tools and training they needed, we transformed recess into a safer, more positive experience for students and staff.

In my article, "How Principals Can Improve Playground Supervision," I share practical strategies that any school can implement, including:

How to develop a comprehensive recess supervision plan.
Why training playground supervisors is one of the most overlooked ways to reduce injuries and behavior problems.
How supervision zones and active supervision dramatically improve student safety.
Ways to identify hazards before they become accidents.
How to create a positive, supportive culture for playground supervisors.
The documentation every principal should have in place to reduce liability if an injury or lawsuit occurs.

These are the same strategies I developed as a principal and have since shared with schools across the country. They are practical, research-based, and designed to help reduce conflicts, injuries, and playground incidents while making recess more enjoyable for everyone.

If recess has become one of the most stressful parts of your school day, I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the article. Even implementing one or two of these strategies can make a significant difference.

Read Article: How Principal's Can Improve Supervision

Your students deserve a safe, positive recess, and your staff deserves a plan that works.

Wishing you a successful school year,

Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

The Recess Doctor

Former School Principal

Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc.

P.S. Playground injuries and supervision issues don't just affect student safety—they can also increase school liability. The article includes practical steps principals can take now to protect both students and their schools before an incident occurs

Download this FREE

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SHAPE America published Strategies for Recess in Schools—a free downloadable guide full of planning resources. (Download button below.)

DOWNLOAD RECESS STRATEGIES IN SCHOOLS

If you want an easy recess

Investing In Training your Supervisors

We offer two trainings for Recess:

1) How to Have a Peaceful Playground - recess management techniques for the 5 problems most schools face nationwide.

2) Playground Supervision Training - what are the legal responsibilities of Supervisors and how do you keep students safe at recess.

SEE ALL ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE

Want a Safe Playground?

Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program is the Solution.

The Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program transforms chaotic play areas into structured, inclusive, and safe environments. By clearly marking out designated game zones and providing staff with consistent training and behavior expectations, the program reduces playground conflicts and injuries. With over 100 easy-to-implement games and activities, students stay engaged and active, which naturally decreases unsafe or unsupervised behavior. The result is a calmer, more organized recess that promotes cooperation, reduces discipline issues, and ensures every child has a place to play.

RESEARCH SHOWS:

The 43% of playground injuries are going to or coming from the playground. We have a management system that addresses this issue within the program.

The recess program is low-cost, affordable, easy to implement and you can start now!

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

ORDER THE RECESS PROGRAM

Research shows that if children have access to

Equipment

they choose to be active!

And most schools don't budget for playground equipment

Create active and engaging playground environments for children by providing playground equipment.

Research shows that at most schools, even if children want to be active they don’t have the equipment they need to do so.

Plan on 1 piece of equipment per every 10 students.

ORDER FULL EQUIPMENT PACK

ORDER REPLENISHMENT EQUIPMENT PACK

If you invest in Playground Equipment

The Low Cost High Activity training discusses how “loose equipment” increases children’s physical activity levels.

Section 2 looks at playground markings (hopscotch courts, basketball courts, etc) that contributed to increasing physical activity levels on playgrounds.

Section 3 talks about the critical role schools can play in children reaching the recommended 60 minutes a day in physical activity.

Section 4 explores the various strategies for increasing children’s physical activity levels on playgrounds.