I know – we have ALL been there. A student acts out, disrupts the class, or just doesn’t listen. And you’re thinking, “No recess today. That’ll teach them!” It seems like a logical consequence, right? But here’s the thing—taking away recess is not actually helping kids learn or grow. In fact, it might be (and probably is) doing more harm than good.
Let’s break this down and talk about why withholding recess as a punishment isn’t the best practice—and, more importantly, what we can do instead that’s meaningful, easy, and effective.
Why Recess Matters More Than You May Think
Recess isn’t just about letting kids run around and burn off energy (though, let’s face it, they definitely need that). It’s a vital part of their development. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess supports cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. It’s their time to reset mentally, practice social skills, and just be kids.
Now imagine this: you’re an adult at work, and your boss decides that because you missed a deadline or had a bad day, you don’t get a lunch break. How productive are you going to be for the rest of the day? Probably not very, right? The same goes for our students.
Research also indicates that regular physical activity can modulate cortisol levels in children, which in turn increases their resilience to stress! A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that children who engaged in higher levels of physical activity showed lower cortisol responses to stressors compared to their less active peers. This tell us how exercise not only helps in managing stress, but also in regulating the body’s hormonal response to it.
And to pull it all together, we now know that taking away recess can actually backfire. Kids who don’t get that break struggle more with focus and behavior later in the day. This practice also disproportionately affects boys and kids of color, which raises some serious equity concerns.
What Kids Really Need in These Moments
When a child is acting out, it’s not because they’re “bad” or trying to make your day harder (even though it definitely feels that way sometimes). Most of the time, they’re communicating that they’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or struggling with a skill they haven’t learned or mastered yet.
Taking recess away doesn’t solve the underlying issue. Instead, it sends a message like, “You messed up, so now you lose something important,” without teaching them how to do better next time. Additionally, I have never seen this practice actually work. Kids who miss recess due to behaviors typically miss recess OFTEN for this reason, pointing to the consequence not actually helping the underlying issue.
What they really need is connection, guidance, and tools to manage their emotions or behaviors.
Alternatives to Taking Away Recess
So, what can we do instead? Here are some simple, doable alternatives that can make a big difference:
1. Restorative Conversations
Take a few minutes to sit down with the student and ask:
- “What happened?”
- “What were you feeling when that happened?”
- “What can we do to make it right?”
This helps kids reflect on their actions and learn to repair relationships—while still keeping their much-needed recess.
2. Movement Breaks Instead of Missing Recess
If a child is struggling to stay focused or follow directions, chances are they need more movement, not less. Try sending them on a quick “errand” (like delivering something to the office) or give them a short physical activity, like stretching or jumping jacks.
3. Practice the Skill
If the behavior is about a specific challenge—like blurting out or staying in line—use a few minutes during downtime to practice that skill together. Keep it lighthearted and encouraging!
4. Reflective Think Sheets
Instead of sitting out at recess, have the student fill out a reflection sheet. Ask questions like:
- “What happened?”
- “How did that affect others?”
- “What can you do next time?”
This is great for helping kids build self-awareness and problem-solving skills.
5. Logical Consequences
Taking away recess often doesn’t match the situation at hand. A student is back-talking and speaking inappropriately to the music teacher? They can spend some time together and have the student help the teacher finish a project, like hanging up a bulletin board or making copies. Student was misusing an item after being reminded several times, and broke it? Have them work creatively to fix it. Learn more about logical consequences here.
The Bottom Line
Kids need recess—it’s non-negotiable for their well-being and success in the classroom. Taking away recess might feel like an easy consequence in the moment, but in the long run, it doesn’t teach them the skills they need to grow. There are actually states that have made recess a right, and students cannot legally miss recess as a consequence.
By using alternatives like restorative conversations, movement breaks, and reflection tools, we can handle challenging behaviors in a way that actually supports kids—and makes our classrooms happier, more productive spaces.
Let’s rethink how we handle these moments. Because when we give kids what they truly need—connection, guidance, and a chance to reset—they’ll amaze us with how they rise to the occasion.
What’s your go-to strategy for handling tricky behaviors? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear them!
