• Charles Sturt academic co-develops national position statement on the importance of school recess for active play

A Charles Sturt University academic is helping inform national education to make recreational recesses a priority at schools.

Acting Associate Dean Academic in the Charles Sturt Faculty of Arts and Education Associate Professor Brendon Hyndman co-developed a national position statement in collaboration with the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) on ‘The importance of school recess for active play’.

This is the first national position statement of its kind in Australia, which Associate Professor Hyndman co-developed as part of his role on the ACHPER Academic Advisory Board.

Associate Professor Hyndman said the key message of the statement encourages schools to provide a minimum of two recess recreation periods daily.

“Recess periods in schools have often been undervalued and under-resourced for children and young people’s development in comparison with timetabled classes,” Associate Professor Hyndman said.

“Providing at least one hour of quality active play opportunities can holistically support students’ cognitive, social and physical wellbeing.

“All young people in Australia are entitled to experience play opportunities which are inclusive, supportive, healthy and meaningful.”

Associate Professor Hyndman has worked with ACHPER to present the position for the benefit of its members, education stakeholders and practitioners, as well as for productive and ongoing future partnerships with health and physical education (HPE) learning area stakeholders.

“This national position statement can help provide guidance from global research for school teachers and practitioners of key research-informed considerations in relation to this important segment of the school day for student wellbeing,” he said.

“It is also underpinned by a range of links to the Australian HPE Curriculum.”

The national position statement is one which Associate Professor Hyndman said is based on the knowledge that an educated nation, comprising of active and healthy young people, is a strong investment in the future of the Australian population.

“This statement recognises that school recess opportunities provide an important opportunity to support children’s intellectual, physical, social and emotional development with specific opportunities to strengthen the health and wellbeing of young people,” he said.

The full statement is available online.