School recess is back in play
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After decades of diminished recess time, nearly half of U.S. states now require it or other physical activity by law.
Why it matters: Yes, recess is literally child's play. But researchers, pediatricians and parents say it's crucial for young students' physical and mental health.
By the numbers: As of December, school recess is mandated in 12 states and D.C., and laws requiring physical activity exist in 12 states, according to Johns Hopkins research.
Zoom in: Texas students in K-6th grade are required to participate in physical activity for at least 30 minutes.
Between the lines: "Physical activity" laws are broader than "recess" ones.
- They could include after-school sports and gym class. And, separately, nearly every state has P.E. legislation.
- But physical activity and P.E. laws don't necessarily require free play, which advocates say is a daily necessity for kids.
The big picture: Unstructured play doesn't just teach social skills, but research connects it to increased classroom motivation and behavior, better school attendance, and less stress for students.
- And more physical activity could help academic performance.
What they're saying: "Anyone who's ever spent even a day with a kid can recognize that if you kept them sitting all day, they'd go insane, they'd drive everybody else insane," says Hannah Thompson, a physical activity epidemiologist with UC Berkeley's Nutrition Policy Institute.
- Although schools don't tend to fight the idea of recess itself, Thompson says it can be a challenge for administrators to carve out more time for it and ensure it's not withheld as punishment.