Say Yes To Recess is advocating on the behalf of every child's well-being, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that lack of physical exercise can have on our children. My own two kids are at a critical juncture in their development, and I see how essential unstructured play is for them to navigate their emotions, ranging from joy to sadness, while also aiding their socialization skills. Our current educational framework in Florida is not prioritizing what truly matters—ensuring our children have the time to grow, explore, and bond freely during their school day.

Recess is not just a break from academic activities; it is a vital component of a child's development. Evidence from various educational studies, including a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, underscores that daily recess is critical to children's physical health, social skills, and emotional well-being. In many schools across the state, recess time is disappointingly limited to a minimum of only 15 minutes. Our proposal is to extend this to two 30 minutes without increasing the school day length, which would help balance academic rigor with the holistic growth of our kids.

We believe it is possible to achieve this balance by scaling back on excessive testing and assessments, a change that would ensure our children are not overburdened with unnecessary stress. Tennessee has already made strides in this direction, reducing testing time and emphasizing the importance of unstructured play, making their classrooms more supportive and conducive to learning. It's time Florida follows suit.

We are calling on Florida's educational policymakers, superintendents, principals, and state legislators to recognize and institutionalize 60 minutes of daily recess in schools throughout Florida. By doing so, we invest in a future where our children can thrive both academically, socially, and emotionally.

Join us in this critical mission to reshape our educational priorities for the betterment of our children's future. Your support and signature can be the catalyst for this necessary change. Please, sign this petition today to ensure our kids get the recess time they rightly deserve.