As the 2020-21 academic year approaches, recess is on the mind of many parents of students attending in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when schools are closed, children lose access to important opportunities for physical activity, and not have sufficient opportunities to participate in organized and safe physical activity.

The CDC also says that having opportunities to be physically active through recess and physical education can help improve students’ feelings of anxiety and sadness.

Schools across the nation are finding ways to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 during recess.

Below are five ways that recess will be different during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Masks
Children will need to wear masks, especially if they can’t maintain social distancing.

2. Cohorts
To reduce contact between students, children will remain together with their class cohort or group.

3. Staggered recess
Many schools will have a schedule for when each group of children will be allowed in the playgrounds.

4. Social distancing
Schools will have outdoor markings for areas where a group can have activities, and help with social distancing.

5. Equipment
Schools may not let children in playground sets, or use other equipment, because the virus can be spread through touch. There will also be extra cleaning of recess equipment.