Play
Breaktime cuts means less play in the school day
Squeezing free time Lead author, Dr Ed Baines (Department of Psychology and Human Development) said: “Despite the length of the school day remaining much the same, break times are being squeezed even further with potential serious implications for children’s well-being and development. “Not only are break times an opportunity for children to get physical exercise – an issue of particular concern given the rise in obesity, but they provide valuable time to make friends and to develop important social skills – experiences that are not necessarily School breaktimes are as much as an hour shorter than they learned or taught in formal lessons.” were two decades ago, meaning children are missing out on “Whereas at one time afternoon breaks were a daily experience for nearly all primary opportunities to play, make friends, develop social skills and school children, now they are increasingly exercise. Education Business examines what schools can do to a thing of the past. And there has also ensure playtime is a critical part of the school day been a decline in lunch breaks, which is of particular concern,” added Dr Baines. “Children barely have enough time to queue According to a new study by UCL 13 per cent of secondary schools reported an up and to eat their lunch, let alone have Institute of Education, school break afternoon break period. Now only one per time for other things like socialising, physical times are as much as an hour shorter cent of secondary schools report having one. exercise, or exploring self-chosen activities.” than they were two decades ago. Lunch breaks have also been cut down. In The researchers found that pupils were The research looked at how school breaks 1995, just a third of secondary schools (30 overwhelmingly positive about taking breaks and young people’s social lives have changed per cent) reported lunch breaks of less than (particularly longer lunch breaks), with over 25 years, comparing data from over 55 minutes. Now, that figure has risen 87 per cent of children saying 1,000 primary and secondary schools in to 82 per cent. Furthermore, a they ‘liked’ or ‘really like’ 2017 to data collected in 2006 and 1995. quarter of secondary schools P upils them. Just five per cent of The study showed that children at Key reported lunchtimes of valued children said they did Stage 1 (five to seven years of age) now 35 minutes or less. t h e opportu not like break times. have 45 minutes less break time per As well as having some fr nity for Pupils at primary and week than children of the same age in less time for breaks, ee time secondary levels valued 1995 and pupils at Key Stage 3 and 4 nearly 60 per cent of choose to breaks first and foremost (11 to 16 years) have 65 minutes less. schools also withhold w h a tt wanted for the opportunity they The researchers found that there has been breaks from children to do, a hey provide to socialise with an almost ‘virtual elimination’ of afternoon when they or their nd the chance to enga friends. They also valued breaks, with only 15 per cent of children in classmates have been ge in playf the opportunity for some Key Stage 2 and just over half of Key Stage 1 poorly behaved or need u l free time, and the chance E children having an afternoon break. In 1995, to complete work. ac
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Issue 24.3 | EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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