AAP Recommends 20 Min Daily Recess for All Students

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued updated guidance on Monday recommending that schools provide all students with at least 20 minutes of daily recess, marking the first revision of its policy statement in 13 years.

Published in the journal Pediatrics, the statement underscores recess as essential unstructured playtime that supports children's academic success, physical health, mental well-being, social skills and emotional growth. Lead author Dr. Robert Murray emphasized its value, stating, "It has a very powerful benefit if it's used to the fullest." Research cited in the guidance shows that breaks allow the brain to process and retain information from lessons, while also enabling students to practice relationships and build confidence, benefits that apply equally to older children.

The policy arrives amid declining recess time in U.S. schools. Data from Springboard to Active Schools, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicate that up to 40 percent of school districts have reduced or eliminated recess since the mid-2000s, often to prioritize academic instruction and test scores. Current recess durations vary widely, from less than 10...