Why I Don’t Agree with Taking Away Recess - And What to Do Instead

Taking away recess as a punishment is still happening in far too many classrooms, but does it actually work? Spoiler: it doesn’t. In fact, it often makes the problem worse, especially for our neurodivergent students who need recess the most.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why I don’t agree with using recess as a consequence, what the research says about its importance, the harm this practice causes, and practical alternatives you can use instead to support student behavior and learning.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✨ Why recess is not a reward, it’s a developmental necessity
✨ The research that proves recess supports focus, regulation, and learning
✨ How removing recess harms autistic and ADHD students in particular
✨ Why this practice doesn’t teach the skills students are missing
✨ Positive, neuro-affirming alternatives to use instead of taking away recess
✨ How to protect play while still addressing behavior and academic needs

Links and Resources

• Explore more neuro-affirming classroom strategies and visual supports on my TpT store and the Teaching Autism blog.

• Let’s connect on Instagram @teachingautism—share your experiences with recess in your school, I’d love to hear how you’re protecting play for your students!

👉 Tune in and discover why recess should never be taken away, and what to do instead when you’re faced with challenging behavior.