The Value of Lunch AND Recess

Hello!

A few weeks back, I wrote about the value of a snow day.

Today I’d like to talk about the value of lunch AND recess.

These two things are important if your child is at school or at home.

We all seem to acknowledge the importance of both, but frequently both are limited to 40-45 minutes, about 20 minutes for each.

Not only that, but lunch and recess are sometimes viewed as “catch up” time, or even as a consequence for poor behavior.

Teachers and parents are under enormous pressure to make sure kids accomplish so much in any given day.

Lunch and recess can seem like the logical choice to use as time to “catch up”, or as a “reward” for good behavior, but I am here to encourage all of us to take some things into consideration when deciding to use this time for other things, and to provide some other options.

Let’s dive in!

Things to Consider

Here are things to take into consideration.

1. Kids not only need a break in their day, they deserve one.
   
   Kids need some down time. Lunch of course provides nutrition, and recess can provide a “reset” for their brains.
2. There are countless studies on the importance of exercise and time outside.
   
   That’s what recess is!
3. Using recess as a “reward” for good behavior is not a good idea and here’s why.
   
   Often kids who act out or have poor behavior need the movement recess provides.
   
   Having a child work through recess or sit to catch up on work (or as punishment) deprives them of the ability to reset their brains and bodies.
4. I believe lunch and recess are part of teaching kids about “self care”.
   
   As adults, we often use these buzz words, but I think it’s important for kids to begin “self care” at an early age.
   
   Allowing time for lunch and recess without work is how we can teach kids “self care” and balance.
5. Children who are hungry or have been sitting all morning are not at their optimal learning levels, so it doesn’t really make sense to have them work through lunch or miss recess.
   
   Frequently doing that creates a difficult afternoon. For everyone.

I know and understand how jam packed our kids days are now, but we as the adults need to remember to take a step back and let kids be kids, and let them rest, relax, play, and eat.

Sometimes that might mean prioritizing lunch and recess over something else that might seem more important and that’s ok.

The important stuff will get done (it always does).

Oh and lastly, remember, it’s important as an adult to get your lunch and recess everyday too!

Until next time,