Redesigning the Recess Experience
How we approach the physical and social space of recess can influence the ways that students interact and connect with each other – and these interactions and connections carry over into the rest of the school day.
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.
Historically, the schoolyard space has been given little priority compared to the rest of the school day. As a result many children regularly experience boredom, exclusion, loneliness, anxiety, fighting, and bullying. It is well-established in the scholarly literature that these experiences compromise well-being and school engagement.
Explore our website to learn more about the science behind this important childhood space and how we can improve it.
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.
Historically, the schoolyard space has been given little priority compared to the rest of the school day. As a result many children regularly experience boredom, exclusion, loneliness, anxiety, fighting, and bullying. It is well-established in the scholarly literature that these experiences compromise well-being and school engagement.
Explore our website to learn more about the science behind this important childhood space and how we can improve it.
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.
Some Highlights
- Dr. McNamara is 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 our video in partnership with Physical and Health Education Canada here.
- Thank you to Toronto Metropolitan University Research for highlighting how our work helped shape a schoolyard renovation. Read it here.
- See recommendations from scholars across the world in the Global Recess Alliance Statement on Recess here.
- See our National Position Statement on Recess (with Physical and Health Education Canada).
- See our webinar But What About Recess?
