Abstract:

1st Cycle and Pre-School children spend a lot of time in the classroom, and the main concern of teachers and educators is compliance with the curriculum. However, for them to have a good learning experience, they need to enjoy playful moments at school, where they can play freely with other children. Thus, the theme is recess focused on the comparative study between Pre-School (children aged between 4 and 6 years old) and 1st Cycle (children aged between 6 and 10 years old). As a comparative study, its objectives are to know the perception of teachers about the importance of recess in the 1st Cycle and to know the perception of educators about the importance of recess in Pre-School. The research question that guides the study is: are there differences in the perceptions regarding recess for 1st Cycle teachers and for Pre-School educators? Based on this issue, the work followed a qualitative methodology. Eight semi-structured interviews were carried out with four 1st Cycle teachers and four Pre-School educators, in two schools in the North of Portugal, which simultaneously had Pre-School and 1st Cycle education. The interviews were pre-authorized by the school boards, by the teachers, as well as their audio recording. Twelve classes of each teacher and educator were also observed by one of the researchers and the respective observation grids were filled out. The anonymity and confidentiality of all those involved in the investigation were safeguarded. The interviews were transcribed, and a narrative goal was carried out based on the observation grids. With the support of the qualitative analysis software, webQDA, the data resulting from the analysis of the content of the interviews, the meta-narrative and the and document analysis were triangulated and validated according to the Delphi method, for greater validity and reliability of the results. The main results confirm the importance of recess for the overall development of children, both in the 1st Cycle and in Pre-School, obtaining the following categories: valuation of outdoor space, playtime, types of play, potential of the recreation, namely, motor, social, creativity, cognitive and valuing nature, and finally, supervision.It can be concluded that it is essential, both in the 1st Cycle and in Pre-School, that children can enjoy the recess, being a stimulating space for their motor development and a moment of socialization among peers and, with the play, a great part of learning can be consolidated collaboratively in outdoor spaces.

Keywords:

1st Cycle, Pre-School, Outdoor spaces, Playground, Play, webQDA.