Recess Endangered

Why Recess is Endangered

• Forty percent of elementary schools in the U.S. have reduced, modified, or eliminated recess from preschool and elementary school even though there is no research to support the notion that replacing recess with additional class time improves learning or test scores.
• Few states require school recess. In 2006, Virginia made news by making recess state law.
• Recess is being eliminated or reduced because of:
  1. Standardized testing and the desire for more class time
  2. Concerns about supervision and discipline
  3. Fear of playground injuries and lawsuits
  4. Funding considerations
  5. Limited understanding of early childhood development and the role of play in learning
• Recess and recess deprivation are being used as classroom reward and punishment.
• There is a mistaken belief that structured P.E. classes have the same impact as unstructured free play.
• Many adults regard recess as trivial and a waste of time.

Strong National Museum of Play
Rochester, New York