Table of Contents

Contents: Preface. The Debate Over Recess: A Sad Tale of the Disjuncture Between Educational Policy and Scientific Research. A Brief History of the Place of Play and Recess in American Schools. The School Playground as a Venue for Children's Social Development. The Two Worlds of the Playground: Gender Segregation at Recess. Gender Differences in Preference for Outdoor Recess. Children's Play and Rough-and-Tumble Play on the Playground. Children's Games on the Playground at Recess. The Role of Recess in Children's Cognitive Performance in Classrooms. Summing Up: What Are the Implications of Recess for Children in School?

About the Author

Anthony D. Pellegrini

Reviews

"Well-organized and readable, the book's nine chapters outline the contours of the recess debate....Comprehensive author and subject indices enhance the book's referencing capacity. He builds a compelling case for how play and recess contribute to children's social competence and academic performance."
—Education Review"In this readable and informative account, the author notes the importance of recess for improving academic performance as well as providing an opportunity for children to develop social skills. Pellegrini marshals the available information to make a convincing argument for the continuation of recess as an aid to better academic and social performance in school. Highly recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduates through practitioners."
—CHOICE"This is a timely book with an urgent message. School recess is under threat. Pellegrini persuasively argues the case for the need to safeguard recess and play times in schools, on academic as well as social grounds. In the process we also get fascinating accounts of the history of recess, the nature of children's play, and gender differences. This is important reading for school personnel, play workers, and students in education and child development."
—Peter K. Smith
University of London, United Kingdom"Recess, as it turns out, is serious business, and Tony Pellegrini takes us through the research on the topic, its importance to children's development, and why its disappearance from schools is a mistake. His conversational tone makes this informative and educationally important book a joy to read. Pellegrini has spent much of his career devoted to studying play and recess, and his book deserves to be widely read by researchers, educators, and social policy makers. It should be central in informing the debate about how to best educate our children."
—David F. Bjorklund
Florida Atlantic University"...But the book also carries a powerful message. Paradoxically, recess or playtime is a serious and important business and current trends to cut back on it are likely to be damaging to students and society. Pellegrini is clear about the perils involved, and highlights implications for educational, psychological, and social policy."
—Peter Blatchford
University of London, United Kingdom