KUSA – Strengthening recess transforms the school climate, paving the way for less bullying and more focus on learning, according to a new study. The research examined a program that operates in schools across the country.
The study showed a positive impact on the overall social and learning environment for students. This included a reduction in bullying, improved student focus in the classroom and high teacher satisfaction.
The study is one of the most rigorous scientific trials to evaluate a play-based program and find an effect on bullying in schools.
Researchers from Mathematica Policy Research and Stanford University specifically looked at schools partnering with Playworks, a national nonprofit that provides healthy recess and playtime programs to schools in 23 cities nationwide.
This new research, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, contributes to a growing body of evidence that a safe, healthy recess environment is a key driver of better behavior and learning. Increasingly, health and education leaders are recognizing that recess and play are effective ways to strengthen schools and foster children’s social, emotional and physical development.
For more information, visit their website https://www.playworks.org/
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