Give Maine Kids the Recess They Need: Protect 60 Minutes of Daily Recess

Say Yes to Recess Maine is calling on Maine lawmakers to establish a statewide standard guaranteeing elementary students two 30-minute periods of recess every school day.

Maine’s Current Law Does Not Go Far Enough

Maine law recognizes the importance of recess by providing that, for students in grade 5 and below, recess generally may not be withheld as a consequence for violating a student code of conduct.

But Maine does not currently guarantee children a minimum amount of daily recess statewide.  That means access to meaningful recess can depend on a child’s school, district, schedule, or ZIP code.  We believe every Maine child deserves better.

Why Two 30-Minute Recess Periods?

Children are not designed to sit through hours of concentrated academic instruction without meaningful opportunities to move, play, socialize, and reset.  The research increasingly supports what parents and educators see every day: recess supports learning—it does not compete with it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that recess can:

Improve memory, attention, and concentration
Help students stay on task in the classroom
Reduce disruptive classroom behavior
Increase physical activity
Support social and emotional development

In 2026, the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirmed the crucial role of recess, emphasizing its physical, social, emotional, and cognitive benefits. The AAP describes recess as an important break from concentrated academic effort that helps students restore focus, manage stress, interact with peers, and return to learning ready to engage.

Research reviewed by the AAP also supports multiple breaks throughout the school day, rather than treating recess as one brief interruption in academics.

Recess Is Part of a Healthy School Day

Recess is not a reward.

It is not wasted instructional time.

And it is not interchangeable with physical education.

Recess gives children something structured academic time cannot: the freedom to choose, create, negotiate, problem-solve, move their bodies, build friendships, take appropriate risks, and simply play.

These experiences help develop communication, self-regulation, cooperation, creativity, resilience, and problem-solving—skills children carry far beyond the playground.

Our Ask

Say Yes to Recess Maine is advocating for legislation that protects two 30-minute recess periods—60 minutes total—during every elementary school day.

We are asking Maine lawmakers to make meaningful daily recess a protected part of childhood and ensure that access does not depend on which school a child attends.

Maine has considered stronger recess protections before. More than a decade ago, legislation was introduced that would have required elementary schools to provide two periods of unstructured recess every day. It is time to bring that conversation back—and move it forward.

Maine Kids Need More Than Academics to Thrive

More instructional minutes do not automatically mean more learning.

Children learn best when their developmental needs are respected. Giving students time to move and play can help them return to the classroom more focused and prepared to learn.

We can support academic achievement AND protect childhood.We can support teachers AND give students the breaks their developing brains and bodies need.And we can make sure every Maine child has access to meaningful play during the school day.

Sign this petition and join Say Yes to Recess Maine in calling for two 30-minute periods of daily recess for elementary students across the state.

60 minutes. Two breaks. Every child. Every school day.

Because recess isn’t time away from learning.  Recess is learning!