The Essential Elements of Quality Recess in Canadian Elementary Schools

What is Recess?

Recess is more than a break—it's a foundational moment in the school day where children engage in unstructured physical activity, social interaction, and self-directed play and exploration. The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) defines recess as regular periods of child-led free play woven into the elementary school day, away from academic tasks. These are opportunities to recharge, connect, and self-regulate, distinct from structured physical education classes.[1] However, not all recess is created equal. Recognizing the difference between merely scheduling recess and curating a quality experience is vital to supporting students’ holistic development.  This blog sets the stage for a series focused on optimizing recess in Canadian schools.

Evidence underscores the multifaceted benefits of well-designed recess: even a brief 15-minute break can boost attention, concentration, memory, empathy, and classroom behaviour.  According to experts, the most effective recess periods provide physical activity while respecting students’ autonomy as well as fostering a sense of agency and responsibility. Effective supervision, diverse play equipment and playground markings, and intentional inclusivity set apart quality recesses from ones where only the most assertive students thrive.

Interpersonal Skills at Recess

Educators recognize that one size does not fit all when it comes to recess design. A high-quality recess takes into account the developmental needs of diverse learners, including those who may not naturally gravitate toward traditional playground games. Thoughtful scheduling, as well as playground mapping, can help prevent overcrowding, outline clear behavioural expectations, and provide opportunities for both active and quiet play that support students’ varied interests and abilities. Moreover, positive adult supervisors and peer leaders play a pivotal role—not just as monitors, but as facilitators who encourage positive interactions, mediate conflicts, and ensure all students feel seen and valued.

Recess offers a prime context for social and emotional learning. The National Position Paper by The Recess Project and PHE Canada emphasizes that recess shapes children’s long-term social trajectories—through peer negotiation, conflict resolution, cooperation, empathy, communication, and self-regulation[2]. Recess is as much a time to practice social interactions as it is a student’s choice of play. An intentionally designed playground ensures all students—regardless of ability or background—can participate, learn, and feel a sense of belonging.

Creating a Village

Creating and building a culture of quality recess requires ongoing reflection and robust collaboration among staff. Community Partners can support the development of topics such as recess management, peer recess leadership, supervisory strategies, and inclusive play that address challenges like unhealthy social interactions, playground exclusion, and bullying.  Embedding student voice in recess planning, through surveys, can further enhance the experience and ensure it evolves to meet the needs of the entire student population.

As this blog post begins our series, let’s end with an actionable list educators and administrators can draw upon to elevate recess from “time off” to “time for growth.”:

• Provide a variety of play equipment, playground markings and open spaces to support diverse interests and a variety of play types
• Develop a playground leadership program, involving students in shaping a positive culture.
• Train staff and peer leaders in conflict resolution and inclusive play facilitation.
• Establish clear, consistent behavioural expectations and effectively share these with the school community.
• Integrate student feedback into ongoing recess improvement.
• Ensure supervision is proactive—not reactive—to support positive engagement for all students.

By prioritizing these strategies, educators can transform and champion recess as an essential educational tool, making it the cornerstone of healthy development and positive school climate.