Experts Advocate Daily Recess to Boost Kids' Learning and Well-Being

A recent policy brief from the American Academy of Pediatrics calls for a daily recess minimum of 20 minutes, describing it as vital for children’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth. Lead author Robert Murray emphasizes that U.S. schools often prioritize instructional time over breaks, a practice he says hampers learning, while Amy Reyes-Hauff notes that recess serves as a mental reset that moves information from short-term to long-term memory.

The brief warns against using recess as punitive or instructional time and highlights research linking physical activity to higher grades, better attendance and improved behavior, particularly for students with special needs. CDC findings indicate that the proportion of secondary schools providing daily activity options rose from 71% to 74% between 2022 and 2024, and state policies are expanding, with Pennsylvania mandating 20-minute recesses and Oklahoma extending its requirement to 40 minutes.

Programs such as Get Wild Wyoming illustrate how nature-based recess can further enhance self-regulation and reduce disciplinary issues. School leaders like Liberty Middle School principal Lisa Cassidy report dramatic improvements after adding recess, encouraging other administrators to adopt incremental changes.