RECESS IS IN DANGER...

Today’s children are missing out on childhood. The ever-increasing pressure to cram more instructional time into the school day has put the squeeze on recess in schools around the country. While 40 percent of school districts in the US have reduced recess time, nearly 7 percent of school districts have eliminated recess altogether. The result, experts claim, is overburdened children with underdeveloped social, cognitive and emotional skills.

The elimination of recess is a significant move towards the destruction of play itself, a development that would be nothing short of catastrophic for generations to come. The lack of playtime for young children is a topic currently gaining traction with mainstream media. In fact, recent studies on the implications of negligible playtime have led to academicians and researchers advocating for reinstating recess as part of the school day.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Are you concerned your child isn’t getting enough time to play while at school? You’re not alone. The right to recess is a nationwide issue and we encourage you to speak up on the importance of play regardless of where you call home. With the right tools and resources, you can help rally your school community to get recess reinstated or to incorporate more recess into the school day. For starters, how about voicing these concerns to your local legislator? We’ve made it easy for you. Simply download one of the two letters below, sign and send it.