At the beginning of 2023, Maine looked like was leading the way in expanding recess time to children in the 6th through 8th grades—and the recess time was not to be revoked for disciplinary purposes. If LD156 had been signed into law, Maine might have also become one of the 12 known states to mandate daily school recess time. Unfortunately, LD 156 died, in spite of the testimony of children in grades 6-8 and even testimony from The Sierra Club.
However, Washington and California did celebrate 2023 recess victories for grades K-5 and K-8 respectively, becoming the 11th and 12th known states with mandatory recess time, at least 20-30 minutes per day, for at least some school grades. Out of the 12 states that mandate recess for school children, none but one (CA) extend that mandate past the 6th grade, with many not extending it past the 5th grade. Unfortunately, California school teachers began fighting against this law after it passed, because the law guarantees children 30 minutes of recess per day and does not permit teachers to punish children by removing their recess time. The fact that teachers are fighting against what is developmentally appropriate for children—for them to move and be active—should concern CA parents.
Alaska, while not having a legal mandate, passed a law that provides “guidelines” that all K-8th grade students shall receive 54 minutes per day of physical activity, and that includes recess and daily physical education class. Due to its commitment to almost double the physical activity time of most states and the extension to grade 8, Alaska’s law is the most respectful of a child’s need for movement during the day. In fact, The Alaska Department of Health provided an educational presentation to school faculty featuring brain scans of a child being active and sitting still. These brain scans clearly demonstrated that an active child has more blood flow to the brain—and thus more brain activity—than a child sitting quietly.
While these laws are to be commended, nature would not be convinced to give these laws an “A”. If we look to Paleolithic hunter-gatherer tribal cultures as our guide for optimal conditions for children’s development, we see that nature intends for children of all ages—from toddlers through late teens—to be in a state of active play (especially outdoors) all day long. This is especially the case for boys who are primarily kinesthetic learners and need to move their bodies in order to learn best. Nature would say that the school’s equation for recess time vs. time sitting in chairs should be flipped, with 20-30 minutes of sit-down time per day, and the remainder being in physically active outdoor play! Today’s parents who are not satisfied with the low levels of physical activity and little to no recess time in school are
turning to alternative education to help their children thrive. I especially see this trend for sons. Learning pods, nature-based schools, Reggio-Emilia schools, child-centered private schools, and relaxed homeschooling are all wonderful and vibrant alternatives that allow children to be running, moving, active, and hands-on from morning ‘til night—as nature intended!
References:
Students in Augusta, ME testify in favor of Recess: https://observerme.com/2023/02/14/news/penquis-valley-ms-students-staff-testify-in-augusta-on-need-for-recess/
Maine Recess Bill LD156 Failed: https://legiscan.com/ME/text/LD156/2023
State Policy Database: Recess: https://statepolicies.nasbe.org/health/categories/physical-education-physical-activity/recess
Recess Policy Scores: https://www.playgroundequipment.com/recess-policy-across-america-how-does-every-state-score/
Alaska Department of Health, Brain Scan Show Activity is Best for Kids:
https://youtu.be/ylwdhpMyU5s?si=vQsy8wqFV6tuP6BJ
Recess Is Good for Kids: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/recess-is-good-for-kids-why-dont-more-states-require-it/
Teachers in CA Fight Recess Law: https://californiaglobe.com/fr/growing-number-of-teachers-denounce-recently-passed-bill-guaranteeing-30-minutes-of-recess-a-day/
Couture, L. A. (2023). Nurturing and Empowering Our Sons: Healing the Wounds of an Anti-Boy Culture by Parenting and Educating the Way Nature Intended.