Recess Before Lunch: Recess Before Lunch: It Does Make a It Does Make a Difference!Difference!

SNA Annual National SNA Annual National ConferenceConference

July 17, 2006July 17, 2006

Today’s speakersToday’s speakers

Deborah CarrDeborah Carr

NFSMI Applied Research DivisionNFSMI Applied Research Division

Alice Jo RainvilleAlice Jo Rainville

Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University

Kim AndersonKim Anderson

Whitefish, MontanaWhitefish, Montana

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives

Provide an overview of supporting Provide an overview of supporting research research

Describe an NFSMI project exploring Describe an NFSMI project exploring barriers to recess before lunch barriers to recess before lunch

Showcase a Best Practice schoolShowcase a Best Practice school

Highlight NFSMI’s next stepHighlight NFSMI’s next step

How did recess before How did recess before lunch become an issue to lunch become an issue to explore?explore? NFSMI strategic planningNFSMI strategic planning

Plate waste studies in SNPsPlate waste studies in SNPs– Plate waste may reduce nutritional Plate waste may reduce nutritional

benefitsbenefits– Plate waste decreased when recess Plate waste decreased when recess

was scheduled before lunchwas scheduled before lunch

NFSMI funded NFSMI funded researchresearch

Central Washington Central Washington – Determined the impact of lunch Determined the impact of lunch

placement to recess and nutrient placement to recess and nutrient consumptionconsumption

– Recess before lunch elementary studentsRecess before lunch elementary students Ate 24% more foodAte 24% more food Wasted 30% less foodWasted 30% less food Ate 8% more caloriesAte 8% more calories Consumed 35% more calcium and Consumed 35% more calcium and

13% more Vitamin A13% more Vitamin A

School Health Policies and School Health Policies and Programs StudyPrograms Study

In 2001, less than 5% of In 2001, less than 5% of elementary schools elementary schools scheduled recess prior to scheduled recess prior to lunchlunch

Montana Team Nutrition Montana Team Nutrition ProgramProgram

In 2002-2003, MT TN partnered with four In 2002-2003, MT TN partnered with four schools to promote a recess before lunch schools to promote a recess before lunch policypolicy

Plate waste decreased after implementation Plate waste decreased after implementation of recess before lunchof recess before lunch

Administrators, teachers, and foodservice Administrators, teachers, and foodservice personnel found that the atmosphere in the personnel found that the atmosphere in the cafeterias was more relaxed, quiet, and cafeterias was more relaxed, quiet, and conducive to dining conducive to dining

Montana Team Nutrition Montana Team Nutrition ProgramProgram

Decrease in discipline problems on the Decrease in discipline problems on the playground, in the cafeteria, and in the playground, in the cafeteria, and in the classroomclassroom

Children returned to class more settled, Children returned to class more settled, calmer, and ready to learncalmer, and ready to learn

Focus groups with children found that Focus groups with children found that children liked being able to play prior to children liked being able to play prior to lunchlunch

Barriers to Recess Barriers to Recess PlacementPlacement

PurposePurpose– Identify barriers to recess Identify barriers to recess prior to lunch in elementary prior to lunch in elementary schools using focus groups with schools using focus groups with school personnelschool personnel

– Discuss solutions to the Discuss solutions to the barriersbarriers

Alice Jo RainvilleAlice Jo Rainville

Focus GroupsFocus Groups

ParticipantsParticipants– School ProfessionalsSchool Professionals

School AdministratorsSchool Administrators School Nutrition PersonnelSchool Nutrition Personnel TeachersTeachers

– ParentsParents Locations by USDA regionsLocations by USDA regions

– Midwest Midwest – Mountain PlainsMountain Plains– NortheastNortheast– SoutheastSoutheast

Focus Group QuestionsFocus Group Questions

Questions focused on Questions focused on – Greatest barrier to Greatest barrier to havinghaving recess recess

before lunchbefore lunch– Greatest barrier to Greatest barrier to schedulingscheduling recess recess

before lunchbefore lunch– Specific issues that affect parents Specific issues that affect parents

regarding recess before lunchregarding recess before lunch– Ways to encourage administrators to Ways to encourage administrators to

schedule recess before lunchschedule recess before lunch

Data AnalysisData Analysis

Participants’ responses to Participants’ responses to questions were systematically questions were systematically categorized into themes. categorized into themes.

AdministratorsAdministrators

School Administrators’ School Administrators’ CommentsComments

It is important for kids to not be It is important for kids to not be rushed through lunch. rushed through lunch.

Kids want to get out and play. Kids want to get out and play.

Kids eat quickly and waste food. Kids eat quickly and waste food.

It is very inviting to think kids It is very inviting to think kids would behave better in the would behave better in the cafeteria. cafeteria.

School Administrators Identify School Administrators Identify BarriersBarriers

Preservation of morning hours for Preservation of morning hours for academicsacademics Logistical concerns of supervision, hand Logistical concerns of supervision, hand washing, and cold weather clothingwashing, and cold weather clothing

Possible resistance by faculty, staff, and Possible resistance by faculty, staff, and parents parents

Tradition, a paradigm shiftTradition, a paradigm shift

School Administrators’ School Administrators’ Comments to BarriersComments to Barriers

One of the biggest barriers is One of the biggest barriers is getting people to buy in that getting people to buy in that recess before lunch is better for recess before lunch is better for studentsstudents

School Administrators were School Administrators were asked…asked…

What would it take for you to What would it take for you to change the schedule and have change the schedule and have recess before lunch?recess before lunch?

–Research demonstrating improved Research demonstrating improved classroom readiness classroom readiness –Model programs that are successfulModel programs that are successful–Communication of implementation Communication of implementation plansplans–Research resultsResearch results

School Nutrition School Nutrition PersonnelPersonnel

School Nutrition Personnel School Nutrition Personnel CommentsComments

Recess before lunch would be a Recess before lunch would be a good idea because children don’t good idea because children don’t eat because they want to go eat because they want to go outside to play.outside to play.

I am concerned about I am concerned about handwashing.handwashing.

School Nutrition Personnel Identify School Nutrition Personnel Identify BarriersBarriers

Relating to the SNPsRelating to the SNPs–There are none! We are flexible and ready There are none! We are flexible and ready to serveto serve

Relating to other school issuesRelating to other school issues–SupervisionSupervision–Movement of children on and off Movement of children on and off playgroundplayground–SchedulingScheduling–Winter clothing Winter clothing

School Nutrition Personnel were School Nutrition Personnel were asked…asked…

What would it take to convince School What would it take to convince School Administrators to change the schedule Administrators to change the schedule to accommodate recess before lunch?to accommodate recess before lunch?

–Research and awarenessResearch and awareness–Observation of children in the Observation of children in the cafeteriacafeteria–Student preferenceStudent preference–Suggest the conceptSuggest the concept

School Nutrition Personnel School Nutrition Personnel CommentsComments

They like facts…to make decisionsThey like facts…to make decisions

They have so many things on their plate…They have so many things on their plate…making them aware of the benefits would help making them aware of the benefits would help

Make them aware of the research…more Make them aware of the research…more informedinformed

They need to come in and see behavior and They need to come in and see behavior and eating…eating…

School Nutrition Personnel Identify School Nutrition Personnel Identify The Most Important TopicsThe Most Important Topics

NutritionNutrition

HandwashingHandwashing

SchedulingScheduling

Operational proceduresOperational procedures

TeachersTeachers

Teachers’ CommentsTeachers’ Comments

It’s motivation for kids to get their work done It’s motivation for kids to get their work done so they can go to recess and then lunch. so they can go to recess and then lunch.

We loved it because we weren’t dealing with We loved it because we weren’t dealing with playground issues.playground issues.

We don’t have to deal with playground We don’t have to deal with playground arguments in the classroom and rob 15 arguments in the classroom and rob 15 minutes of my afternoon teaching time.minutes of my afternoon teaching time.

I can see where they would eat better and I can see where they would eat better and slower.slower.

Teachers Identify BarriersTeachers Identify Barriers

LLogisticsogistics

Academic prioritiesAcademic priorities

Willingness of administratorsWillingness of administrators

ExerciseExercise

WeatherWeather

Scheduling blocksScheduling blocks

TraditionTradition

Teachers’ Comments to Teachers’ Comments to BarriersBarriers

If we as a group could figure out how to If we as a group could figure out how to handle the logistical issues, it would help.handle the logistical issues, it would help.

Self-serve lines make it more difficult and Self-serve lines make it more difficult and takes longer.takes longer.

The greatest barrier is the emphasis on test The greatest barrier is the emphasis on test scores.scores.

I see a lack of recognition and respect for I see a lack of recognition and respect for physical development as an issue.physical development as an issue.

Scheduling for the academic periods is set.Scheduling for the academic periods is set.

Teachers were asked…Teachers were asked…

What would it take to convince What would it take to convince School Administrators to change School Administrators to change the schedule to accommodate the schedule to accommodate recess before lunch?recess before lunch?

–ResearchResearch–Observation of better behavior and Observation of better behavior and nutritional intakenutritional intake–Communication of nutrition needsCommunication of nutrition needs–Model programs of success (best Model programs of success (best practices)practices)

Most Important Topics for Most Important Topics for TeachersTeachers

Nutrition issuesNutrition issues–I would like to see the children eat better, I would like to see the children eat better, waste less food, and behave better…waste less food, and behave better…

Logistical concernsLogistical concerns–……best interest of the child is the priority best interest of the child is the priority versus scheduling and everything else.versus scheduling and everything else.–……supervision and hygiene.supervision and hygiene.

ParentsParents

Parents’ CommentsParents’ Comments

I’m excited about research showing that when I’m excited about research showing that when children go back to the classroom, they are ready children go back to the classroom, they are ready to learn.to learn.

When recess is before lunch, children have time When recess is before lunch, children have time to calm down before afternoon classes.to calm down before afternoon classes.

We all want a siesta after eating.We all want a siesta after eating.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Parents Identify BarriersParents Identify Barriers

Logistics Logistics

–scheduling, staffing, and spacescheduling, staffing, and space Winter clothingWinter clothing Nutrition beliefsNutrition beliefs Previous experiences with a family memberPrevious experiences with a family member TraditionTradition BehaviorBehavior Communication to parents Communication to parents Need for dataNeed for data outcomes outcomes

Parents’ Comments to Parents’ Comments to BarriersBarriers

It would be difficult to implement in larger schools. It would be difficult to implement in larger schools.

I’m concerned about taking away morning classroom I’m concerned about taking away morning classroom time.time.

Scheduling is an issue.Scheduling is an issue.

Where will they put their coats?Where will they put their coats?

I had not thought about this issue.I had not thought about this issue.

It might be difficult to get back on task after a full meal.It might be difficult to get back on task after a full meal.

Parents were asked…Parents were asked…

What would it take to convince School What would it take to convince School Administrators to change the schedule Administrators to change the schedule to accommodate recess before lunch?to accommodate recess before lunch?

–I would think administrators are motivated by I would think administrators are motivated by research and funding.research and funding.

–Our administration is absolutely on board with Our administration is absolutely on board with doing whatever is necessary to be on top of issues doing whatever is necessary to be on top of issues that benefit the children.that benefit the children.

–The administration where I am will listen to the The administration where I am will listen to the parents.parents.

Most important topics for Most important topics for ParentsParents

BehaviorBehavior–……it wouldn’t be as hard on the teacher to get them it wouldn’t be as hard on the teacher to get them back…calm down and relax at lunch…back…calm down and relax at lunch…

Nutrition and learningNutrition and learning–The research about nutrition is compelling. The research about nutrition is compelling.

Timing of lunchTiming of lunch–Since we do not have a breakfast program, it would Since we do not have a breakfast program, it would help if the children were allowed a smart/healthy help if the children were allowed a smart/healthy snack.snack.

What’s the bottom line? What’s the bottom line?

Barriers were specific to each groupBarriers were specific to each group

Supervision, scheduling, logistical concerns, Supervision, scheduling, logistical concerns, use of space, timing of lunch, tradition were use of space, timing of lunch, tradition were frequently mentioned in all groupsfrequently mentioned in all groups

Convince administrators through research, Convince administrators through research, awareness, and models of programs of awareness, and models of programs of successsuccess

What’s the bottom line?What’s the bottom line?

Most important topics were nutrition, Most important topics were nutrition, behavior, hand washing, operational behavior, hand washing, operational proceduresprocedures

There is a need for educational programs There is a need for educational programs and training resources for school personnel and training resources for school personnel and parentsand parents

Additional research is needed-afternoon Additional research is needed-afternoon learning, costs of supervision, pre- and post-learning, costs of supervision, pre- and post-studies studies

Accessing the Study Accessing the Study ResultsResults

The results are available on the The results are available on the www.nfsmi.orgwww.nfsmi.org website. website.

This research will be also be published This research will be also be published in the 2006 second issue of in the 2006 second issue of The Journal The Journal of Child Nutrition and Managementof Child Nutrition and Management..

Kim AndersonKim AndersonPrincipalPrincipal

Central SchoolCentral SchoolWhitefish, MTWhitefish, MT

Tucked against Big Mountain and the Tucked against Big Mountain and the stunning peaks of Glacier National stunning peaks of Glacier National ParkPark

Who is Central School Who is Central School and what do we stand and what do we stand for?for?

Student population…Student population…675675

Serve students in grades 5-8Serve students in grades 5-8 Model site for the Montana Model site for the Montana

Behavioral Initiative…MBIBehavioral Initiative…MBI Two schools make up CentralTwo schools make up Central 5-6 traditional elementary5-6 traditional elementary 7-8 junior high/middle school7-8 junior high/middle school

What is MBI…and how it What is MBI…and how it influences recess before influences recess before lunchlunch

•Teach behaviors based on perceived needs of students, staff, and parents

•Based on the philosophy that students will rise to the expected performance level

•Behavior is taught based on those expectations

Reasons we changed Reasons we changed recess before lunch…recess before lunch… Victim of the old education pendulum Victim of the old education pendulum

Lunch is one of those things that just Lunch is one of those things that just happenshappens

Parents concerned about what kids Parents concerned about what kids were eatingwere eating

Staff complaints about what was Staff complaints about what was being servedbeing served

When lunch was When lunch was before recess…before recess… Students showed signs of…Students showed signs of…

– InattentivenessInattentiveness– Lack of concentrationLack of concentration– Drowsiness the last 90 Drowsiness the last 90

minutes of schoolminutes of school

Nutrition and Behavioral Nutrition and Behavioral Issues…Issues…

Looked at what we were making Looked at what we were making available to childrenavailable to children

Considered nutrition on learning Considered nutrition on learning and behaviorand behavior

Reviewed lost teaching time Reviewed lost teaching time following recess AFTER lunchfollowing recess AFTER lunch

Shelving added to Shelving added to accommodate recess before accommodate recess before lunchlunch

Why did recess Why did recess before lunch work for before lunch work for Central?Central?

Recess before lunch…Recess before lunch…

provides calm in the provides calm in the cafeteriacafeteria

Students are focused Students are focused on serving their on serving their plates…plates…

With recess before With recess before lunch… lunch…

Additional beverages were offered through Additional beverages were offered through vendingvending

With recess before lunch…healthy With recess before lunch…healthy vending choices were addressedvending choices were addressed

Collaboration is a must when Collaboration is a must when changing recess before lunchchanging recess before lunch

Met with studentsMet with students

Met with school staffMet with school staff

Met with PTAMet with PTA

Students are more Students are more focusedfocused

Students are focused Students are focused on learningon learning

Top 3 words of wisdom when Top 3 words of wisdom when implementing implementing recess before recess before lunchlunch

Communicate with other Communicate with other stakeholdersstakeholders

Plan effectivelyPlan effectively Always consider the childrenAlways consider the children

Next steps for Next steps for NFSMI researchNFSMI research

National Study…National Study…

To measure the impact of recess before To measure the impact of recess before lunch in the elementary schoolslunch in the elementary schools

ObjectivesObjectives– Identify effectiveness of practices and policiesIdentify effectiveness of practices and policies– Investigate perceived impact on behavior in Investigate perceived impact on behavior in

the classroomthe classroom– Explore perceived impact on behavior in the Explore perceived impact on behavior in the

eating environmenteating environment– Identify perceived barriers of school Identify perceived barriers of school

professionals implementing recess before professionals implementing recess before lunchlunch

Thank you for Thank you for attending!attending!

NFSMINFSMI

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