The Importance of Recess
Recess is often sacrificed to make room for more academics. The research says that’s a big mistake.
April 8, 2018
The evidence is clear—recess is not a nice-to-have, it’s essential for healthy brains and deeper learning. Dig deeper into the research cited in the video:
- Hart et al.’s analysis of student testing in America’s great city schools (2015)
- Jens Bangsbo et al.’s consensus statement on children, youth, and physical activity in schools and during leisure time (2016)
- The Centers for Disease Control’s publication on the association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance (2010)
- Charles H. Hillman et al.’s assessment of the effects of a physical activity intervention on executive control and brain function (2014)
- Helen Hadani, Garrett Jaeger, Katie Kennedy, Elizabeth Rood, and Sandra Russ’ trend report on emotion, play, and creative problem solving (2017)
- Caitlin Brez and Virgil Sheets’ study on the classroom benefits of recess (2017)
- The CDC and SHAPE America’s report on strategies for recess in schools (2017)
- The American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy statement on the critical role of recess in school (2013)
- Jane Fortson et al.’s evaluation of the Playworks program’s effect on school climate, academic learning, student social skills, and behavior (2013)