Recess a Necessary Break From the Demands of School

Both recess and physical education in schools promote activity and a healthy lifestyle, and should be a daily break for young children and adolescents.

A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “The Crucial Role of Recess in Schools,” will be published in the January 2013 issue of Pediatrics and released online Dec. 31, 2012.

Safe and properly supervised recess offers children cognitive, physical, emotional and social benefits.

It should be used as a complement to physical education classes, not a substitute, and whether it’s spent indoors or outdoors, recess should provide free, unstructured play or activity.

Its just what kids need to help their minds work harder in school.
Recess a Necessary Break From the Demands of School
Featuring:
Dr. Robert Murray, MD
Dr Murray is a professor in the Department of Human Nutrition at the Ohio State University. For 21 years he was in the Section of Pediatric GI and Nutrition at the Ohio State University School of Medicine and most recently served 5 years as the Director of the Center for Healthy Weight & Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr Murray also is the immediate past chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on School Health and a board member for the national Action for Healthy Kids, promoting school policies that combat obesity and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. At the state level, he currently serves as chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Ohio Chapter’s Home and School Health Committee.