Why?

Recess plays a key role in a child’s physical, social, and academic development. Recess provides students with time to be active that helps them develop healthy bodies and enjoy moving more. It also allows children the opportunity to practice life skills such as:

Cooperation Negotiation Following rules Sharing Communication Conflict resolution

Students play! Then eat!Research shows that students: Waste less food Behave better on the playground, in the

cafeteria, and in the classroom And are more likely to learn upon returning

to the classroom immediately after lunch, so less instructional time is lost

Children ate 24% more foodWasted 30% less foodConsumed 8% more caloriesConsumed 35% more calcium13% more vitamin A

What students say…

I get to play soccer sooner We get to play before

lunch now If you eat before recess,

you don’t get a tummy ache

It takes off all your energy so you aren’t moving around so much at lunch

What teachers say…

We have more uninterrupted teaching time

Kids are more settled upon returning to the classroom

There is decreased behavior problems on the playground

The atmosphere in the cafeteria is more relaxed and conducive to eating

Students are not rushing through lunch anymore

Students are actually eating while socializing

It’s better when they go out to recess first. They seem to have a better appetites.

Students are a lot quieter and eat more of their lunch.

Kids want to play, not eat. This way they are not in a hurry to get outside.

www.opi.state.mt.us/schoolfood/recessBL http://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/

recess-before-lunch.htm http://www.denverpost.com/news/

ci_17553080 http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/

admin/admin389.shtml http://www.nea.org/home/43158.htm