Play & Mindfulness Moments Matters!

Middle School Recess

We are advocating for a 15 minute recess period for all Middle School students in Prince William County

Sample Schedule
Resources
Stories
Why Kids Need Recess There's no debate that physical activity is good for kids, particularly as a powerful weapon against childhood obesity, which has more than tripled since the 1970s. The average child sits for 8.5 hours a day. Combine that with high-calorie foods, and weight gain in inevitable, researchers say. But studies show that at least 20 minutes of recess daily, along with 150 minutes of physical education a week, make a measurable difference in children’s weight. Beyond the physical benefits, recess is important for kids emotionally and cognitively. Active movement works the brain’s prefrontal cortex, building connections between the creative and analytic sides of the brain. Activity that involves arms and legs – running, climbing, crawling – builds new neural connections, which in turn help kids regulate their emotions and process what they have learned in class.

🪷Improving their social and emotional development (e.g., learning how to share and negotiate).