Recess as a practical strategy to implement the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model in schools

Abstract

Objectives: Schools can provide an optimal environment for promoting children’s health behaviours. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model addresses 10 aspects of the school environment that can be used to promote student health behaviours and academic outcomes: namely, Health Education; Nutrition Environment and Services; Employee Wellness; Social and Emotional School Climate; Physical Environment; Health Services; Counselling, Psychological and Social Services; Community Involvement; Family Engagement; and Physical Education and Physical Activity. Design: Guidelines for practical use of the WSCC model for school professionals are limited, impeding potential impact on school health promotion. Accordingly, in this article, we seek to demonstrate an application of the WSCC model to a specific school-based practice: recess. Setting: School recess. Results: An overview of literature and evidence-informed practices details how recess can facilitate WSCC adoption and initial implementation. Areas requiring further empirical research prior to making additional recommendations are also discussed. Conclusion: Strategies to enhance learning and health are described, attempting to bridge the gap between research and practice in school settings using the WSCC model.

Recess Quality and Social and Behavioral Health in Elementary School Students

“…To this end, London 40 has recommended identifying games and activities that are popular amongst the student body, as well as areas on the playground that tend to produce more conflict. In doing so, needed equipment can be provided to support popular play and recess staff can be more efficient and effective as it relates to where they spend time during recess. Position recess as part of a whole school, whole child, whole community model of child development within the school setting 41 . One strategy for this is to extend current behavioral supports, such as a Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports, or Caring School Communities, into recess to create synergies across the school day.…”

The Benefits of School Recess: A Systematic Review *

“…Recess is one school‐based physical activity opportunity that falls within this component. Recess is “a period of time when students are encouraged to be physically active and engage with their peers in activities of their choice, at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12th grade.” 4 A recent literature review indicated that recess is a prime school curricular period for integrating WSCC 5 …”