Lunch Break in Primary and Secondary Schools: An exploration question with no standard answer

The junior high school of Yangfang School in Changping District is equipped with reclining desks and chairs. Photo provided by the school

In order to create a more comfortable lunch break environment for students, Yangfang School also replaced all classroom curtains with thick sunshade curtains. “During lunch break, the classroom becomes dark and quiet, and the children fall asleep faster.” Wang Ning said that the students’ acceptance and willingness to use this new set of desks and chairs are very high. “I used to sleep on my stomach during lunch breaks and I always felt restless. When I woke up, my arms were numb and my neck was sore, which made me easily sleepy during afternoon classes. Now I can sleep for 20 minutes while lying down, and my mind is clearer during afternoon classes,” said a boy in the second grade of junior high school.

Not only this school, but many schools have begun to explore new lunch break models. Longquanwu Primary School in Mentougou District is also equipped with reclining desks and chairs. According to the relevant person in charge of the school, teachers are also trying to optimize the lunch break environment so that students can lie down comfortably and ensure high-quality sleep.

The Primary School Affiliated to Capital Normal University has equipped first-grade students on both campuses with sleeping desks and chairs. “Children who have just entered school still have the habit of taking naps. This set of desks and chairs can help them successfully transition from kindergarten to primary school.” Huang Yanwu, the school’s teaching director, said that the school also plans to gradually replace the facilities for students in other grades to adapt to different growth stages based on the “General Technical Requirements for Desks and Chairs for Lunch Breaks for Primary and Secondary School Students” and student height standards, so that desks and chairs can be like “growth partners” and dynamically match the height changes of students.

學生態度

“I prefer to make my own decisions during my lunch break.”

Taking the lunch break from “reluctantly enough” to “enjoying it with peace of mind”, the “campus nap artifact” has triggered widespread discussions on social platforms. Many netizens suggested promoting reclining desks and chairs. Some parents said that compared with primary school students, middle school and high school students have more heavy academic work and need to “lie down and sleep” more.

“Children get up early every day and really need a good rest at noon.” Ms. Zhang, a parent of a first-year junior high school student, said frankly, “We adults also need to take a rest at noon, not to mention that children are still growing and need a place to lie down.”

At the same time, some parents believe that there should not be a “one size fits all” approach to what children do during lunch breaks. Mr. Huang, a parent of a high school sophomore, said: “My child belongs to the ‘high energy group’ and participates in various club activities at noon every day. The school also holds class leagues and music festivals. The child said that changing his mind can help him concentrate better in class in the afternoon.”

Children’s attitude toward lunch breaks is more independent and relaxed. Xiao Han, a first-year high school student, put it bluntly: “I am not sleepy at all at noon. I like to go to the playground to play basketball with my classmates. Those who can sleep can sleep, and those who can’t sleep play, it is best for everyone to make their own arrangements.” Xiao Liu, a first-year junior high school student, said: “During lunch break, I prefer to read extracurricular books by myself, or discuss a few wrong questions with my classmates. Sleeping makes me more confused in the afternoon.”

The reporter randomly interviewed more than 10 students in different grades of primary school, junior high school and high school. 80% of the students said that “they would rather make their own decisions during lunch break” and more than half of the students hoped to use lunch break to expand their interests and hobbies.

校長建議

“Voluntary choice, zoning management”

Beijing Primary School Emerald City Branch has a one-hour “happy lunch break” every noon. Students can sleep, exercise on the playground, and read in the library. Zhang Wenfeng, secretary of the party branch of the school and principal of Emerald City Primary School Education Group, believes that lunch break must be different for each individual: “Some children have the habit of taking a lunch break and can choose to rest in the classroom; some children like to be released and can play games and do crafts.”

Zhang Wenfeng teaches the children two days a week, arranged in the last period of the morning and afternoon. “I feel that the children are in good condition.” She explained that the school will also fully consider the students’ daily schedule when arranging the class schedule. Subjects that require high concentration such as Chinese, mathematics, and English are arranged in the morning, and more active subjects such as music, sports, and art are arranged in the afternoon. “Children are not prone to sleepiness, and it also helps relieve fatigue and regulate emotions.”

According to Li Yuzhen, vice principal of Beijing No. 20 Middle School, the workload of middle and high schools is gradually increasing. After continuous classroom study in the morning, students are easily tired. Lunch break is crucial to ensure the efficiency of the afternoon class. For this reason, the school does not arrange any group activities during the lunch break, and does not occupy it at will, giving full time to students.

“The school implements a voluntary choice and zoned management model for lunch break.” He introduced that the classroom is used as a rest area. During the lunch break, blackout curtains are drawn and the lights are dimmed. Students who need to take a nap can bring their own neck pillows, eye masks, etc. to rest peacefully. The class teacher is responsible for maintaining order. The school has also opened self-study rooms and laboratories, where students can read extracurricular readings, organize notes, and practice hands-on practice. “Students can also go to the playground to play basketball and football to relieve physical and mental stress, or voluntarily participate in small clubs, popular science lectures and other activities.”

“The core goal of the lunch break is to allow students to rest their brains and body and mind, rather than to complete the task of ‘sleeping’.” Li Yuzhen said that from daily observation, some students are willing to take a rest, and many others choose to exercise and read. “For sleepy students, taking a nap can indeed relieve fatigue. But for students who are energetic and can’t fall asleep even if they lie down, forcing them to sleep will not only fail to achieve the rest effect, but will also easily lead to resistance. Of course, voluntary does not mean laissez-faire – no matter which lunch break method is chosen, it cannot interfere with other students.”

醫生提醒

Naps vary from person to person

Do primary and secondary school students have to take a nap? Zhou Shuangyao, deputy chief physician at the Sleep Medicine Center of Beijing Huilongguan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, believes that not all children are suitable for naps. On the one hand, children’s studies in the morning consume a lot of brain power. A short nap can relieve brain fatigue, reduce drowsiness and lack of concentration in the afternoon, and is also helpful for memory consolidation. It can also make up for the sleep gap at night. On the other hand, it is not recommended for children who have difficulty falling asleep at night and have insomnia problems themselves; for children who have high energy, cannot fall asleep when lying down, and become more irritable the longer they lie down, there is no need to force it.

“Forcing a nap will cause psychological burden and even affect sleep at night. It can be replaced by other ways to relieve mental fatigue and regulate stress.” Zhou Shuangyao suggested that primary and secondary school students can take a nap in two ways. One is quiet and static relaxation: close your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes without falling asleep, just close your eyes and slow down your breathing, which can also reduce brain excitement and reduce visual fatigue; or take 3 minutes of slow and deep breathing to gradually relax your muscles from head to toe and calm down learning anxiety; you can also relax and look at the distant scenery outside the window to get your brain out of a state of continuous thinking. The other type is mild dynamic adjustment: walking gently in the corridor or playground, looking into the distance, to relieve cervical fatigue caused by sitting for a long time; doing gentle stretching of the shoulders, neck, and lower back; or engaging in low-intensity activities such as painting and puzzles.