There are different opinions among teachers about the purpose of recess and lunch time at schools. Some say that it is solely time to eat and just let off steam. Others regard it as valuable time where children can engage in much-needed child-directed free play, learn to socialise and expand their learning outside of the classroom.

This article by Susanne North was originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald.

https://www.smh.com.au/education/play-time-vital-for-children-20120902-258bq.html

Apart from being a fun activity, it is widely recognised that play is one of the most important ways in which brain development occurs in children.

Sadly, in some schools valuable recess and lunch time has been reduced in favour of more rigorous academic pursuit within the classroom. In other schools, running or ball games have been banned due to a perceived high injury risk factor.

As many families now choose structured and adult-directed play activities after school or on weekends, the school playground becomes one of a few outlets where children can engage in free outdoor play with their peers. More than 28 hours a week, often spent solitarily, are devoted to computers, mobile phones, television and other electronic devices. Considering that as much as 25 per cent of time spent at school is playground time, we need to rethink the benefits of play at school.

Play during recess and lunch has a positive impact on academic endeavours and contributes greatly to the overall happiness in children and across the school.

A British company, Common Threads, has worked with more than 60 schools in Britain to introduce play during recess. It observed that children were more settled straight after playtime, collaborated better in projects and demonstrated much better problem-solving skills.

Conversely, a lack of play can result in challenging behaviour and negative performances in the classroom, according to an American educational psychologist, Anthony Pellegrini.

Also, playgrounds that lack play stimuli become spaces where children often wander around aimlessly, become frustrated and bully other children. Not many schools can afford expensive playground equipment, but the good news is that this is not needed anyway.

Professor Anita Bundy, from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Sydney University, has launched a large-scale study involving 12 primary schools in NSW, introducing simple, recycled play resources during recess, with outstanding results. This included crates, car tyres, foam pool noodles, plastic barrels, tarpaulins, foam cubes and other open-ended materials that lend themselves to creative, imaginary play.

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