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Redesigning The Recess Experience
What began as a research initiative has grown into an internationally recognized effort to improve recess through evidence, policy, professional learning, and systems change. The award-winning Recess Project works to ensure that every child has access to meaningful, inclusive, and engaging recess experiences. Our collaborative research, resources, and policy contributions have helped influence recess improvement efforts across North America and beyond.
Why Recess Matters
What happens during recess shapes far more than play. It shapes belonging, relationships, confidence, well-being, and how children experience school itself. At a time of rising mental health challenges, declining free play, increasing screen time, and growing inequities in access to recreation and nature, recess and schoolyards have become increasingly important — and increasingly overlooked.
Recess is often treated as a break from learning. In reality, it is one of the most important social environments of childhood. Every day, children navigate belonging, exclusion, friendship, conflict, movement, rest, and identity formation in schoolyards that are frequently overlooked, underdesigned, and under-supported.
What happens during recess does not stay there. These experiences shape how children feel about themselves, their peers, and their connection to school — carrying into classrooms, relationships, engagement, and well-being over time.
The Recess Project Change Guide
Endorsed by Physical and Health Education Canada and reviewed by members from the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Canadian Public Health Association, Department of Paediatrics at UBC, UNICEF Canada, People For Education, and the Canadian Association of School System Administrators, this guide is the product of a unique research collaboration of school boards, administrators, staff, policymakers, and (most importantly) elementary school students. It is a collection of evidence-based lessons learned and was designed from a systems-change lens to ensure sustainability.
- Overview: Mental Health, Well-Being, and Recess
- Developmental Need for Free, Unstructured Play
- Supporting Children's Fundamental Social and Emotional Needs
- Role of the Recess Committee
- Role of the Recess Coordinator
- Supervision VS Support
- Guidelines for involving students in the change process
- Training materials for Student Leaders
- Printable Templates, Sign up Sheets, Scripts, Posters
- UNCRC – the Right to Play
- Planning for inclement weather
- As Safe As Possible to As Safe As Necessary: Risk Management
- Games Library
- Guidelines for managing equipment and materials
