Embed this image on your site:



Created by AAAStateOfPlay.com

For kids, recess is so important! Free play and games are crucial to child development because they encourage physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth beyond formal education. Recess is also enriching for a teacher’s day as well; it gives them much needed opportunities to decompress, organize, and socialize. This builds a better elementary school community overall. If you check out the National Association of State Boards of Education database, you will find that many states have no policy to ensure that children have access to recess and physical activity other than gym class. This needs to change because time on the playground or the field builds character beyond the classroom. Here are 25 ways that recess (and play as a whole) helps children be happy, healthy, and successful into adulthood from scientists, doctors, teachers, early education professionals, and more.

Find more about the author: Kim Hart