Across the country, state and federal legislatures are taking a recess after a long session of lawmaking. The legislative recess is a temporary break from proceedings in which lawmakers can review legislation, attend meetings and hearings and visit their district. In other words, they need this time to improve their legislative performance, socialize with their constituents and to mentally rejuvenate. Isn’t this the same reason why our children need recess in schools?
Over a year ago, the legislature in my home state of New Jersey unanimously passed a bill that would have required daily recess for almost 2,000 elementary schools. However, Gov. Chris Christie vetoed it last January, leaving the choice to include recess up to individual schools or school districts. Nationally, most states do not mandate recess be a part of every child’s school day, even though US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research shows that health and academic success are linked to this vital 20 minutes a day.
Recess helps children stay healthy by increasing access to physical activity during the school day. Regular exercise and activity are crucial to stave off the onset of health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
In their independent research, Playworks, a national organization that promotes play among children, found that recess represents an opportunity for a playtime break, improved classroom performance and social and brain development. It’s also an underutilized opportunity to improve the overall learning environment in our schools.
Some argue that that it’s the school’s job — not the government’s — to establish time for physical activity and recess in schools. But in low-income, overcrowded schools, more time is allocated to teaching core subjects and recess falls by the wayside. In fact, nationally, more than one-third of low-income children go all day without it, according to the US Department of Education.
Physical activity also can have an impact on cognitive skills, concentration and attitudes, which are important components of improved behavior.
A case study by the Harvard Family Research Project revealed that a modest investment in recess can have a positive ripple effect with visible improvements in several key areas of childhood development. Teachers witnessed how a well-functioning recess could foster supportive relationships among students, create opportunities for meaningful youth involvement, and teach conflict resolution and other life skills.
Ensuring a healthy school environment must be a collaborative effort between communities, schools and government. We must collectively examine policies and implement evidence-based strategies to help children reach their full health potential. Parents and advocates can make a difference in our schools by asking if their local school offer recess; participating on the school health council; and confirming that the school has a district wellness policy. And policymakers in most states need to consider mandating recess in schools. While they understand the importance of their own legislative recess, they need to understand why it is importance to the next generation of leaders. If they get recess, why can’t our children?
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
And if you feel uncertain about what to do in the face of a second Trump administration, we invite you to be an indispensable part of Truthout’s preparations.
In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
We’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
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With gratitude and resolve,
Maya, Negin, Saima, and Ziggy