Term
Summer 2021
Capstone
Thesis
Degree Name
MAT
Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair
Trish Harvey
Secondary Advisor/Reader One
Theresa Moran
Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two
McKenzie Lindahl & Emma Musachio
Abstract
The practice of school recess is explored including its benefits, obstacles, and policies. Academic literature provided research indicating a myriad of benefits including academic or cognitive, behavioral, health, and social emotional development, while challenges with implementing school recess are described as allocation of time as well as supervision, safety, and bullying. Current policies regarding recess are divided into two categories: requiring students be given a recess period and the issue of withholding recess. Original research was conducted with a mixed methods design by an electronic survey, where Minnesota elementary school principals were surveyed regarding recess in their schools. The data collected in this research generally affirmed the academic literature with regards to the benefits, obstacles, and policies surrounding school recess. Based on these findings, the author concluded that there are significant benefits, and while there may be some challenges with implementing a successful recess program, recess is an important component of the school day. Accordingly, policy should support recess programs, ensuring that elementary school children are provided recess and recess should not be withheld for disciplinary reasons.
Research Methodology
Survey (attitude scale, opinion, questionnaire)
Keywords
Brain-based Learning, Classroom Management, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Educational Policy
Recommended Citation
McMullan, Amy, "School Recess: Benefits, Obstacles, and Policy" (2021). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 4536.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/4536
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations