Why Outdoor Play Boosts Productivity and Development

For many kids, the school day is very structured from the moment they arrive, except for one thing — recess. It’s the one part of their day that kids can enjoy however they like. They’re in complete control, and can choose to play with friends, do something creative, or relax after a long morning of learning.

Recess is more than just a fun break. It’s a form of regular outdoor play, which is integral to every child’s development and often leads to improved academic performance.

The Benefits of Outdoor Recess

Many students look forward to recess all day long — but playgrounds serve as more than a pleasant reprieve from classroom activities. They encourage children to be active while engaging in helpful socialization with one another. Playgrounds and recess are also where many students begin to form their identity and develop essential life skills.

Playgrounds at schools benefit students in various ways, offering physical, social, and mental benefits.

1. Physical Activity

Outdoor activities allow kids to enjoy physical activities in the fresh air. A whopping 76% of kids don’t engage in enough daily physical activity, and with childhood obesity on the rise, developing a strong foundation of daily exercise is critical.

Playgrounds encourage kids to engage in active play and build important motor skills, like:

• Balance
• Agility
• Coordination
• Speed
• Reaction time
• Strength

The playground is also where many students find a natural talent or interest in sports or exercise, which encourages them to pursue those interests outside of school hours.

2. Social Development

Navigating group settings is crucial for a child’s social development. Playgrounds offer an equal meeting place for kids of different backgrounds and experiences to come together. Through observational learning and trial and error, kids learn social skills naturally during recess. Play helps them communicate with their peers and learn valuable skills, such as:

• Compromise
• Understanding
• Compassion
• Conflict resolution
• Language
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Sharing
• Self-regulation

Kids carry these social skills into their teenage and adult years. The more social skills a child has, the better they can express themselves. Social development is critical to a child’s health, well-being, and academic success. The social relationships from the playground also translate into the classroom, where students learn how to interact with teachers and peers more flexibly and respectfully.

3. Mental Health

Time on the playground also offers kids numerous emotional and cognitive benefits. Adventurous outdoor play is associated with reduced anxiety and depression in kids. In terms of emotional well-being, playtime outside can help kids:

• Process their emotions
• Boost their mood
• Foster their natural sense of curiosity
• Develop their sense of self
• Raise their confidence

Getting creative on the playground and making up a game other kids enjoy can leave a child feeling proud and with a more positive self-image, for instance. These positive experiences are crucial for kids. The mental health benefits don’t stop there, either. They translate directly into a child’s success in the classroom, as play benefits productivity and academic performance. This benefit alone is enough reason for schools to prioritize recess.

4. Cognitive Development

Outdoor recess gives kids new learning contexts, allowing them to experience the same learning material in a different setting. It’s also the perfect time and place for projects that support STEM skills, as kids can build, play, and investigate the outdoor world.

Movement and active play stimulate blood circulation, delivering more oxygen to the brain, which improves memory, concentration, attention, and helps them stay focused in class. Free and unstructured play, like during recess, empowers them to make independent choices and improves their critical thinking skills.

How Outdoor Play Improves Productivity and Academic Performance

Recess has taken a backseat for school districts across the country due to increased educational mandates. However, research shows the positive effect it has on kids’ academic achievements. The physical and social benefits of recess can contribute to a child’s overall health and well-being, which can have far-reaching effects, including school performance. But when it comes to the cognitive benefits of recess, we can draw a more direct line between recess and improvements in the classroom.

Let’s consider some ways playtime helps kids be better students.

1. Higher Levels of Focus

Think about the last time you concentrated on a particular task for a long time without pause. Chances are, you felt overwhelmed, possibly even discouraged. Regular breaks are essential for absorbing and retaining information, and students who get to participate in recess often demonstrate higher levels of focus than those who don’t. Rather than their brains becoming fatigued from information overload in the classroom, kids get a break to rest their brains and have fun.

A recent study found that the benefits of recess include improved problem-solving and higher overall academic achievement. Taking short breaks helps us learn new skills, and unstructured outdoor play is like pressing reset, so kids can complete their classroom tasks feeling energized and refreshed.

2. A More Positive Outlook

Another way outdoor play is helping productivity in students is by improving mood and making stress more manageable. Today, students often feel overwhelming pressure in school, whether it’s from parents, teachers, coaches, or even the pressure they place on themselves. This stress can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as cheating or refusal to participate in activities. It can also cause burnout and low academic performance.

Outdoor play is a regularly scheduled break in this stress that students look forward to. It gives kids a chance to pause, think clearly, and enjoy engaging with their peers and the world around them. Physical activity and exercise release endorphins and hormones that alleviate the adverse side effects of stress and promote healthy self-esteem. When kids have this outlet during the school day, they can feel refreshed and renew their motivation to learn when they reenter the classroom.

3. Fewer Behavioral Distractions

Another potential benefit of outdoor recess is reducing behavioral issues in the classroom, which can be extremely disruptive. In fact, 32% of teachers agree that disruptive behavior interferes with their teaching. Recess is a valuable tool in keeping classrooms functional. Many teachers report that when students’ movement needs are met, they are less disruptive, and teachers spend less time repeating instructions and managing behavior.

Behavioral issues can arise from a variety of factors, but many of these factors are exhausted by long hours spent indoors without recess. When kids are given recess as a positive outlet, they’re more likely to be productive, attentive students who contribute to a positive learning environment for all. Less time spent on managing behavioral problems means more time on instruction and improved academic outcomes.

4. More Learning Opportunities

Recess can also help kids connect their learning to the real world — especially when it comes to science and social studies. Outdoor play is an excellent opportunity for children to interact with nature. Kids are spending hours sitting with media every day compared to mere minutes outdoors, missing out on growing their language and communication skills, emotional well-being, and social relationships.

Nature is full of valuable lessons, especially for young learners. Being outdoors also stimulates a child’s senses, enriching their view of the world — they can hear the birds sing, smell the flowers bloom, and feel the wind blow. The more time a child spends playing outdoors, the more likely they are to grow into responsible and environmentally conscious adults.

The Benefits of Play Equipment at Recess

A well-designed outdoor play area amplifies all of these benefits. It gives kids something unique, appealing, challenging, and mentally stimulating to explore creativity and enjoy being outdoors. The right playground design is a space where kids can socialize, problem-solve, and gain confidence. It encourages them to get outside and engage in physical activity, so they reap the benefits of exercise without even realizing it.

Although play at recess is unstructured, an age-appropriate playground guides kids and encourages them to explore new activities, play with different age groups, and challenge themselves physically.

Contact Little Tikes Commercial Today

Engaging in regular outdoor play helps kids develop essential life skills, including the ability to socialize and overcome challenges. Playgrounds promote outdoor play and are an easy way to keep kids physically active while combatting stress and improving focus inside the classroom.

Little Tikes Commercial provides more than playgrounds — we help parents and educators provide kids with memorable, formative experiences. Our playgrounds are designed to engage children in fun and interactive ways, with no compromise to the safety and durability of our products. Every piece of equipment is rigorously tested to meet and exceed safety standards.

To learn more about Little Tikes Commercial playgrounds and equipment, find a representative near you.