To have or not to have: recess from an international perspective.

The role of recess in primary education seems to be approached from completely diverse perspectives. Some educators, researchers, and parents advocate for maintaining and increasing recess periods; another group of educators and administrators supports the idea of minimizing recess and extending instruction time, with the goal of achieving better academic performance (Pellegrini & Bohn, 2005). Through international partnerships, the Association for Childhood Education International allows us to gain insight into recess worldwide. This column shares information on recess in 12 countries with a purpose of considering international practices in the light of research on recess.

A Survey About Recess

A survey of 10 questions was designed to explore the elementary school routine around the globe in terms of length and number of class periods and recess, and the nature of activities during recess. ACEI members, including professionals and students living outside the United States or living in the United States but having received schooling in another country, were asked to fill out the survey. The answers suggest similar trends related to recess across the countries.

Recess Around the Globe

Six out of the 12 participating countries were European countries (Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, and Russia). In all the countries, the elementary schools offer 45-minute class periods separated by at least 10-minute recesses throughout the day. Interestingly, in Lithuania, the length of recess increases by 5 minutes after each period to provide more time for relaxation as the day progresses and children become more tired. On the other hand, elementary schools in Latin America countries (Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru) have a recess every two hours, including two 15-minute breaks and a longer lunch break.

With no exception, all participants described the activities during recess as free play with very little teacher interaction. "We played in the playground. We did not have teachers closely watching us. We were allowed to play any games as long as we did not hurt each other" (Panama). Most recess activities take place outdoors, including "talking to friends, walking around, going to the bathroom, playing different games, such as ball games, playing in the fruit orchard behind the school building, swinging and climbing on playground equipment." Not even weather seems to be a restrictive factor for outdoor recess. For example, in Finland, children spend the recess outdoor until the temperature drops to -4 Fahrenheit. In Panama, where the weather is always hot, children play outdoors all year round.

Empirical Evidence for the Benefits of Recess

Research literature provides experimental and longitudinal data indicating the beneficial role of recess in all developmental areas. For example, Pellegrini et al. (1995) suggest that children are more attentive after recess than before, which means that recess facilitates children's attention to academic tasks. Furthermore, children participating in recess seem to develop better social competences, which are suggested to be a significant predictor of academic achievement (Pellegrini, 1992).

The Association for Childhood Education International is a strong advocate for quality recess for children. These examples from our international members also provide a window into a global consideration of recess to make the world's children's school experiences more fruitful.

References

Pellegrini, A. (1992). Kindergarten children's social cognitive status as predictor of first grade success. Early Childhood Research Quaterly, 7, 565-577.

Pellegrini, A., & Bohn, C. (2005). The role of recess in children's cognitive performance and school adjustment. Educational Researcher, 34(1), 13-19.

Pellegrini, A., Huberty, P., & Jones, I. (1995). The effects of recess timing on children's classroom and playground behavior. American Educational Research Journal, 32, 845-864.

--Tunde Szecsi

International/Intercultural Committee