The school year is right around the corner, and as your child’s schedule gets busier, it can be hard to squeeze in time for daily exercise. To help your child get the exercise they need to thrive in school, we sat down with some of our expert Recess Enhancement Program (REP) Coaches to gather their back-to-school tips!
REP focuses on increasing physical activity rates for New York City children through organized and safe recess in school. We work with students from kindergarten through fifth grade, offering organized games that help develop important skills like teamwork and conflict resolution that can translate into improved academic performance.
1. Experts recommend that students get at least 60 minutes of exercise per day. Can you touch on the importance of daily exercise and offer any tips on blocking out time to get active in a busy schedule?
Zach — Rep Trainer
Students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance (memory), and classroom behaviors. Try exercising early in the morning before the school day starts or consider starting a run club before school or a team sports league during recess.
Cristian — Senior Play Coach
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I find it very important to get active because it keeps the mind sharp and allows you to focus better on the tasks at hand. It’s relatively easy to fit into the schedule, however busy it may be, by simplifying your exercise. Even just 10-15 minutes of jumping jacks or light jogging in place can help if there isn’t adequate space for activity.
Brianna — Returning REP Coach
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Exercise is imperative for daily function. It keeps blood flowing, helps energize, and gets the body used to movement and regulation. Exercise and movement aren’t always rigorous and they do not have to be high energy. Some exercises can be simple and still effective like walking, stretches, yoga and more. Finding a good time to incorporate this can seem tricky but can easily be replaced when you find an activity you enjoy doing!
Fidel — Senior Play Coach
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Daily exercise is important because it supports physical health, builds stronger bones and muscles, and helps kids maintain a healthy weight. Exercise can improve children's emotional well-being, self-esteem, and confidence. It can also help them relax, lower stress, and improve their mood by releasing endorphins. It can also give kids the opportunities to make friends and enhance their social skills.
2. REP’s programming teaches participants valuable conflict resolution skills through play. What tips do you have on helping new students connect with their peers?
Ariel — Senior Play Coach
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Play games that allow kids to connect and find common ground with each other. Games like community, countdown, memory ball and rainbow tag are excellent icebreaker games that allow children to see what interest they have in common with their peers.
3. How can lessons learned through REP’s programming translate into the classroom and improve academic performance?
Zach — REP Trainer
The benefits of the REP program extend beyond recess. Team sports and cooperative physical activities foster essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication. These social skills are crucial in an academic setting as they promote community and collaboration, enhancing the school learning environment.
4. What are you most excited for in the upcoming REP school year?
Dreama — Senior Play Coach
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I’m most excited about the new schools that get to experience REP for the first time, or for the schools that lost REP and are now coming back. I can’t wait to see the kids' bond with the coaches and host our field days at the Upper East Side and Battery Park City.
Cristian — Senior Play Coach
I’m extremely excited to start my new role as a SPC and show how I can help continue to grow and improve REP.
Learn How You Can Support REP!
Asphalt Green relies on the generosity of our community to bring REP to schools throughout New York City. This year, we’re serving nearly 20,000 students over 50 NYC public schools, but there are still plenty of New Yorkers who could benefit tremendously from our Recess Enhancement Program.
Learn how you can join our cause and help bring REP to even more children below!