When I was young, there was a traditional order to the school day: classes, lunch, recess, then more classes. I couldn't imagine mixing up the day, but now some schools are experimenting to see if it improves children's eating habits, physical activity and behavior. So what are they doing? Schools across the country have decided to try recess before lunch. According to some schools who have made the switch, "When children play before lunch, there is less food waste and higher consumption of milk, fruit and vegetables. And some teachers say there are fewer behavior problems." One school in Arizona that implemented the change reported a 40% drop in nurse visits (since the children didn't get sick running around after eating a big meal). They also reported less food waste, since before kids were in such a hurry to play that they wouldn't eat all of their food. Students were also calmer in the classroom when they returned from lunch because they used lunchtime to wind down after play. Although there have been some logistical challenges to such programs, about one-third of Montana schools and other districts around the country have adopted this program. Still, a study in the Journal of Childhood Nutrition & Management reported that fewer than 5 percent of the nation’s elementary schools were scheduling recess before lunch. So it seems that schools have been slow to change. This seems like a great idea to me. An easy way to get kids the activity they need, but then help them focus better and get back to learning when playtime is over. What do you think? Do any schools in your area do this? |
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