Kids Are Performing Poorly In School Because They Don’t Get Enough Recess

For the first time in 13 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a leading group of doctors who care for children, has issued an updated policy statement in the journal Pediatrics. Their message to schools is clear: children need time to play, and cutting recess is bad for their health and their education.

More Than Just Fun and Games

According to the report's lead author, Dr. Robert Murray, recess isn’t just "extra" time tacked onto the school day. It has been increasingly threatened over time by the drive for higher test scores, but it provides a powerful benefit if used to the fullest. Doctors argue it is an essential tool that helps children grow in crucial ways:

It Boosts Brain Power: The human brain needs regular pauses between concentrated times of learning. New evidence shows these breaks are necessary so the brain can successfully hold and store new information. When kids get a break at recess, they return to the classroom with more energy and better focus.

It Builds Social Skills and Confidence: The playground is where kids learn how to navigate relationships and build confidence. Without teachers directing their every move, children learn how to share, make up rules for games, negotiate, and solve arguments with their peers. This social growth is just as important for older kids as it is for younger ones.

It Fights Obesity: Dr. Murray and his colleagues stressed the importance of physical activity in preventing childhood obesity. This is a critical health concern, as obesity currently affects about 1 in 5 (20%) children and teens in the United States. Recess provides a key opportunity for daily physical activity to keep their bodies healthy.

New Rules for the Playground

To ensure all students benefit, the doctors are urging schools to adopt several new guidelines:

1. Never take recess away.

In many schools, teachers take away recess as a punitive measure for disruptive behavior or to give students extra time to finish schoolwork. Doctors strongly oppose this practice. Dr. Murray notes that students who struggle with behavioral issues or grades are often the exact ones who need a physical break the most.

2. Recess is for older kids, too.

Play isn't just for elementary schoolers. The report emphasizes that middle and high school students also need scheduled breaks during the day. As older kids spend more time on screens, recess is helpful for encouraging outdoor activity, reducing stress, and maintaining good mental health.

3. Give them enough time.

Ideally, studies show that kids should get a minimum of 20 minutes a day of recess, along with multiple smaller breaks. The AAP noted that the duration of recess varies widely across U.S. schools today, ranging from less than 10 minutes to more than an hour a day, with older kids generally getting much less time.

By comparison, countries like Denmark, Japan, and the United Kingdom give students breaks after every 45 to 50 minutes of classroom instruction so they can de-stress and prepare for the next class.

A Growing Trend of Lost Playtime

The push to protect recess comes after years of shrinking playtime. According to data from the group Springboard to Active Schools, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 40% of school districts nationally have reduced or eliminated recess time since the mid-2000s.

Independent experts, such as Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, a childhood obesity expert at Mass General Brigham for Children in Boston, agree with the AAP's updated recommendations. To raise healthy, smart, and well-adjusted children, medical experts agree that schools must recognize that playtime is just as important as reading and math. "Recess is great," Fiechtner noted. "We all kind of need recess."