Physical Activity & Recess
Overview
Physical activity and recess refer to designated times and activities that allow students to engage in movement, play, and exercise, promoting physical and mental well-being. Physical activity and recess provide social, physical, and mental benefits to learners of all ages. Recess, physical education, and even short movement breaks in class are ways for learners to exercise, increasing blood flow to the brain and body and improving overall well-being. In addition to improving learners' Physical Well-being, they can support several aspects of cognitive functioning, including flexible thinking, sustained Attention, Self-Regulation and Inhibition, as well as improvements in social skills when done in groups, such as Communication, Collaboration, and negotiation. Targeted exercise and movement breaks can also help students who struggle with Sensory Integration, especially those who are “sensory-seekers.”
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch how one school promotes organized, intentional recess to reinforce a positive school culture:
Design It into Your Product
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Multisensory Supports Strategies
Communication boards are displays of graphics (e.g., pictures, symbols, illustrations) and/or words where learners can gesture or point to the displays to extend their expressive language potential.
Creating visual representations such as drawings, diagrams, graphs, and concept maps, whether student or teacher-generated, can help students process abstract concepts, enhancing understanding and retention of information.
Using motions to explain new concepts or ideas supports the ability to process new information and to convey thinking and conceptual understanding.
Music and dance supports learners in a myriad of ways, including supporting their engagement and motivation, connecting with cultural background, and offering structure during play.
