Offers a highly accessible account of the latest research into children's play and behaviour. Staff in primary and secondary schools, governors and advisers will all find the book essential reading.

Are breaktimes really just a time of violence and bullying that could be better used for working? Based on a unique and fascinating longitudinal study of a group of pupils from primary to secondary school, the author of this timely new book proposes an alternative view. He believes that breaktime plays an important part in children's social development, and through his gathering of pupil's own views on breaktimes over a period of ten years, we see how breaktimes offer children time to play; to develop friendships; to build social networks; to develop social skills and competence; to be independent from adults; and to learn to manage conflict, aggression and inter-group relations. Where else will they learn these important skills if not in the playground? What will happen in a society where these skills are not developed?

A main problem is that pupils’ day-to-day experiences at breaktime are taken for granted or neglected and little understood. There is little recognition of the possible social and even educational value of informal and undirected activities in school. One reason for this is the different perceptions adults, including school staff, and pupils can have of breaktime. For staff it can be a time when unruly behaviour and aggression occur – it is a problem to be dealt with, but for pupils it may be a valuable change from lessons and a time to meet friends. There are signs that breaktime is being shortened and more carefully managed. The main point of this Viewpoint is that we should consider more carefully the effects this will have on pupils and on social life in school.

From Viewpoint, no. 7, May 1998.

Writing a book about recess could be a very questionable endeavor for a serious academic psychologist. At first blush it seems to be a pretty trivial topic. It's the time during the school day where there's a break from what's typically considered the most serious work of the day--reading, writing, and arithmetic. Reflecting this trivial tenor, it's also that time of the school day that kids--perhaps only half jokingly--say is their favorite part of school. This perception has lead many schools to question the role of recess in the school day. This book is an attempt to broach two views of recess--the perceived value of recess and the movement to eliminate or reduce the school recess period from the primary school day. Due to tightened school budgets and the emphasis on testing, many elementary schools eliminate recess, gym classes, and play periods to the developmental detriment of the very children the schools are supposed to serve. Author Anthony Pellegrini has conducted a number of careful studies regarding student attentiveness and performance within programs that have recess periods, and those that don't. The data show that students need recess in order to blow off energy and interact with each other in the unstructured recess environment in order to grow socially. The goal of Recess is to help readers realize the importance of recess and counter the trend to eliminate it from schools. This book appeals to academics, teachers, administrators, and parents.

What is the nature of children’s social life in school? How do their relationships and interactions with peers, teachers and other school staff influence their development and experience of school? This book, written by leading researchers in educational and developmental psychology, provides answers to these questions by offering an integrated perspective on children’s social interactions and relationships with their peers and teachers in school. Peer interactions in school have tended to be underestimated by educationalists, and this book redresses the balance by giving them equal weight to teacher–child interactions. In this second edition, the authors extensively revise the text on the basis of many years of research and teaching experience. They highlight common misconceptions about children, their social lives, and school achievement which have often resulted in ineffective school policy. The book includes a number of important topics, including: The significance of peer-friendships at school The nature and importance of play and break-times Aggression and bullying at school Peer relations and learning at school The classroom environment and teacher-pupil interaction The influence of gender in how children learn at school. Advantages and disadvantages of different methodological approaches for studying children in school settings Policy implications of current research findings. The Child at School will be essential reading for all students of child development and educational psychology. It will also be an invaluable source for both trainee and practicing teachers and teaching assistants, as well as clinical psychologists and policy makers in this area.

In Rethinking Recess, sociologist Rebecca A. London argues that recess has been overlooked as an essential part of the elementary school experience, with major implications for how well schools serve all students equitably and responsively. Given its potential to support students' social and emotional learning and physical activity, London says, recess should be designed intentionally, with attention to safety, health, and engagement. The book shows how school leaders and other educators--even those with budget and space constraints--can make the most of recess time by using a variety of proven strategies, and also provides examples of schools that have put these strategies to use. Taking organizational steps to create a well‐designed recess can engage students, improve school climate, build valuable social and emotional skills, reduce behavioral incidents, and promote healthy lifestyles. Meticulously researched and filled with practical and often easy‐to‐implement changes for recess policies and practice, this book provides a critical resource for school leaders and others looking to make every aspect of school a positive one for students. "All children have the right to equitable and inclusive access to recess as a foundation of development. Rethinking Recess offers a compelling case for 'organized recess, ' describing the important role of organized play to promote wellness, strengthen school culture, and enhance social and emotional learning. This book is a call to action for the well-being of our children and society." --Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools "This important book illustrates how a well-organized and universally available recess can provide developmental spaces for students that improve school climate and foster social and emotional learning. Rethinking Recess documents inequities in access to recess, illustrates how schools can organize safe and supportive recess, and provides practical guidance for policy makers." --David Osher, vice president and institute fellow, American Institutes for Research Rebecca A. London is a faculty member in the Sociology Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz.