It was the fifteen minutes around 10am. The bell rang and everyone headed outside. Sometimes, it was to a playground with swings and slides; other times, it was just cement with a four square court and a couple of red rubber balls. Unless it was raining or really cold, everyone left classrooms and books behind to get some fresh air and run off some excess energy. When the bell rang, everyone went back inside to their desks and the next subject.

Recess is good for many reasons. Children can concentrate better if they get a break in the learning to move around and rest their minds between subjects. There are fewer disciplinary problems because recess lowers frustration. Having time to talk with friends means fewer side conversations during class time. Because it doesn’t produce quantifiable results, its value is noticed more in its absence. And it is noticed.

Taking a break, going outside for some fresh air and a quick walk, having a conversation – a few minutes away from whatever we consider our important work may not result in more pages written, more spreadsheets filled, or additional organizing accomplished. But it’s silly to think that recess isn’t just as valuable for us after our school years as it was during them.

It’s good for the soul to take a break, to look up and out at this big, beautiful world and marvel at the life around us and within us. Grow into the wisdom of childhood: get outside and reclaim recess.