Whether your children’s schools are switching to at-home learning or you are turning to homeschooling, kids may be missing out on one specific, traditional school activity: recess.
Break from Learning
Although schools are adapting to the typical learning schedule, most schools still involve recess at some level. It is always ideal for kids to have a break from learning, and be able to get up and outdoors to stretch and run and get some exercise. Kids still technically learn while during recess too, as they are learning social cues and learning how to interact with their peers and make friends. This is a great way for kids to think independently as well, choosing what they want to do during this break from schoolwork, and ultimately being told what to learn.
Learning from home presents it’s own set of challenges, the biggest one being steady breaks from schoolwork, especially a break that is reminiscent of recess. Although it will be different from a traditional recess at school, you can easily make your own recess at home so your kids still have the chance to run and play and have the same experiences.
The Fun Zones
The easiest ways to incorporate recess at home is to make designated “Fun Zones” for your kids. They can be the same location for all your children, or if you want to create multiple play zones for them that works too. Creating a fun place for them to run and also do something of their choosing can give their brains the mental break they need before returning to their school work. You can create an indoor and outdoor space for them to have a break, and include some of their toys and games that they can quickly start playing with. Make sure the indoor space is still big enough for them to explore and move around comfortably.
Involve Your Kid’s Friends
Depending on the space and how many kids you have at home, you can also rotate them to give them a chance for multiple levels of play. They can each use one area for a specific amount of time, then swap, and then they can even come together for a little bit of time to still get some social interaction with others. You can even reach out to other parents for a more true recess moment, so that other kids in the neighborhood can come over and hang out with your kids. It can be a designated time for the kids to come over and play, and it can rotate to other families’ homes throughout the week to give your kids a chance to continue their social skills and be able to hang out with their friends more.
Katie Kyzivat