The Issue

We are calling for a change in Texas law to require two 30-minute, unstructured, screen-free recess periods—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—for all elementary school students, and at least one 30-minute recess period for middle school students. This change is crucial to the health, well-being, and academic success of our children.

The American school day has long been a cornerstone of our culture, immortalized in movies, literature, and fond memories. We take pride in our schools, our friends, and the lessons learned inside and outside the classroom. Education wasn't just about academics—it was a balance of cognitive learning and social-emotional development. And much of that balance was beautifully achieved through recess.

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, recess is defined as “a period of time in which an organized activity such as study or work is temporarily stopped.” Unfortunately, there is a misconception that recess is "just a break" and not a valuable part of learning. We disagree. Recess provides essential opportunities for children to develop social skills, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation—all of which are key components of learning and growth.

A shining example of the benefits of recess is the LiiNK Project® (Let’s Inspire Innovation ‘N Kids), a research initiative started by Dr. Debbie Rhea at Texas Christian University in 2012. Over the past nine years, the LiiNK Project has examined the health, physical achievements, cognitive development, and social-emotional progress of children twice a year. Initially focused on classroom behaviors and attentional fatigue, the project has expanded to study long-term impacts on children’s overall health, including body fat percentage, reaction time, motor skills, and chronic stress. The results are astounding:

40% reduction in off-task behavior.
10% higher standardized test scores.
70% reduction in chronic stress and anxiety.

These improvements have been achieved through 60 minutes of unstructured, outdoor play and a daily character lesson, which should be an essential part of every child's school day.

Numerous studies support the idea that children perform better academically when they have more recess. Research, such as "The Power of Play," shows that kids engaged in play develop better memory, language skills, and behavior regulation, all of which enhance academic performance. Longer recess periods are linked to higher test scores and healthier, happier children. Additionally, recess has been shown to drastically improve children's mental health, reducing stress and anxiety while boosting their overall well-being. 

In the book "The Anxious Generation" Jonathan Haidt argues that the decline of free play, including recess, and the rise of screen time and social media, are contributing to increased anxiety and mental health issues in children and adolescents, advocating for more unstructured play.

The physical and mental benefits of recess are clear. Children need more opportunities for daily physical activity. Several credible organizations recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for kids, including Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Studies confirmed that 60 minutes of unstructured play significantly contributes to their physical and emotional well-being.

We are seeing a concerning trend across the United States, including Texas, where recess time is being reduced or eliminated altogether. This alarming shift takes away critical opportunities for children to learn, play, move, and decompress during the school day.

Texas currently ranks 41st in the nation for overall education. The status quo isn't working. We believe we already know part of the solution: two 30-minute, unstructured, screen-free recess periods—one in the morning and one in the afternoon for elementary students, and at least one 30-minute period for middle schoolers.

We see recess as a companion to, not in opposition of other school subjects. It sounds counterintuitive, but the way to better academic outcomes is not through added instructional time. The research is clear that increased recess leads to improved performance in all aspects of school - social, emotional, and academic.

We are calling on parents, educators, community leaders, and concerned citizens to join our cause in advocating for more recess and to help us ensure that our students' health and well-being are made a priority in Texas schools.

www.sayyestorecess.com