Redesigning the Recess Experience:
Creating meaningful spaces for
social connection and healthy, outdoor play at school.
During the school day, children need regular opportunities to play, socialize, rest, and re-energize. These opportunities improve mood, well-being, and school engagement. These are the things that give 'life' to a school because they focus on children's most fundamental social and emotional needs. Yet, many schools around the world do not have a history of quality recesses: research shows unacceptable levels of bullying, exclusion, intolerance and rejection that undermine opportunities to connect, play, and rest. Our goal is to purposefully design lush and inviting outdoor landscapes to support meaningful, inclusive opportunities for social connection, mindfulness, creativity, and all kinds of play.
What's new?
- Dr. McNamara is now a member of the Royal Society of Canada's Working Group on Children and Schools!
- Read Lauren's article (with Pasi Sahlberg) in the Conversation Canada: Kids will need recess more than ever when returning to school. Over 75,000 reads!
- In partnership with Physical and Health Education Canada, we've created a library of tips, tools and resources to support quality recess planning and implementation for all children and youth. Check it out at #TalkAboutRecess
- See Concrete Strategies for Recess During COVID from the newly formed Global Recess Alliance.
- Just released! Our National Position Statement on Recess (with Physical and Health Education Canada).
- Ready to develop policies to support and protect recess? See our recommendations here.
- See our webinar But What About Recess?
We work with schools to:
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