The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance urging schools to protect recess, highlighting powerful benefits for children's health, learning, and behavior.
Lead author Dr. Robert Murray says recess helps students reset between lessons, improving focus and memory. It also builds social skills and physical activity-critical as 1 in 5 U.S. children struggle with obesity.
Despite these benefits, recess time has shrunk. Since the mid-2000s, up to 40% of school districts have reduced or eliminated it. The AAP recommends at least 20 minutes of daily recess and warns against using it as punishment.
Dr. Lauren Fiechtner notes older students, increasingly tied to screens, benefit greatly from outdoor breaks. In countries like Denmark and Japan, students get breaks every 45 to 50 minutes-a model experts say could improve U.S. education.