Redesigning the Recess Experience
The design of a schoolyard can impact on how students connect with each other – a connection that carries over into the rest of their school day. Thank you to Ryerson Research for highlighting how our work helped shape a schoolyard renovation. Read it here.
During the school day, children need regular opportunities to play, socialize, rest, and re-energize. These opportunities improve mood, well-being, resilience, and social harmony - factors that are foundational to learning and school engagement. These are the things that give 'life' to a school because they focus on children's most fundamental social, emotional, and developmental needs. Read on to learn more about the art and science of this important childhood space.
We work with schools and boards to:
- Ensure the schoolyard is an integral part of the school ecosystem and school-wide improvement efforts;
- Leverage user-centred, evidence-based approaches to transform barren and soulless schoolyards into lush, sustainable, and exciting landscapes;
- Create a culture that nurtures positive social interaction, contentment, engagement, and happiness;
- Ensure schoolyards are fully inclusive and accessible - socially and physically.
- Ensure schoolyard designs are thoughtfully sustainable and ecologically sensitive.
What's new?
- Dr. McNamara is now a member of the Royal Society of Canada's Working Group on Children and Schools. We've published our report - you can link to the chapter on Recess here.
- Read Lauren's article (with Tracey Vallaincourt) in Ed Can Network: Why recess matters more than ever.
- 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?