Recess is a critical context for children’s well-being.

The Recess Project is our unique 15 year collaboration of researchers, school boards, administrators, staff, policymakers, and (most importantly) elementary school students. The Objectives of the Recess Project include the following:

• Ensure the schoolyard is an integral part of the school ecosystem and school-wide improvement efforts;
• Leverage user-centred, evidence-based approaches to transform barren and soulless schoolyards into lush, sustainable, and exciting landscapes;
• Create a culture that nurtures positive social interaction, contentment, engagement, and happiness;
• Ensure schoolyards are fully inclusive and accessible - socially and physically;
• Ensure schoolyard designs are thoughtfully sustainable and ecologically sensitive;
• Protecting time for daily recess;
• Improving the quality of recess environments;
• Supporting inclusive supervision practices;
• Embedding recess into policy and school improvement efforts.

We have translated the lessons learned into the award-winning Recess Project Change Guide - available to you at no-cost below.