Trending Now - Pediatricians Urge Protection of Recess for Children's Well-being
WHO:
Fox News - The American Academy of Pediatrics is the organization releasing the updated guidance.
ABC News - Dr. Robert Murray is a lead author of the new guidance.
ABC News - Dr. Lauren Fiechtner is a childhood obesity expert at Mass General Brigham for Children in Boston.
WHAT:
Fox News - The updated guidance recommends that recess should be protected and never withheld for academic or punitive reasons.
ABC News - The duration of recess varies widely across U.S. schools, ranging from less than 10 minutes to more than an hour a day.
Fox News - The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance urging schools to protect recess.
ABC News - The updated policy statement is the first new guidance in 13 years regarding recess.
Fox News - Up to 40% of school districts have reduced or eliminated recess since the mid-2000s.
ABC News - The group recommends at least 20 minutes of daily recess and multiple breaks for students.
WHERE:
Fox News - St. Agnes Elementary School is located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Fox News - Whittier Elementary School is located in Mesa, Arizona.
WHEN:
Fox News - The new guidance was published in the journal Pediatrics on a Monday.
ABC News - The updated guidance comes after years of shrinking recesses and worsening children’s health.
WHY:
ABC News - The reduction of recess is partly driven by the drive for higher test scores.
Fox News - Recess helps students reset between lessons, improving focus and memory.
ABC News - The guidance emphasizes that recess is crucial for good health and good grades for kids of all ages.
ABC News - The reduction of recess is partly driven by the push for higher test scores.
HOW:
Fox News - In countries such as Denmark, Japan, and the United Kingdom, students receive breaks after every 45 to 50 minutes of classroom instruction.
Fox News - The guidance warns against using recess as punishment for disruptive behavior.
ABC News - The updated guidance cites the latest research on the essential nature of breaks for academic success and mental, physical, social, and emotional growth.
(UPDATED May 11, 2026 19:30 UTC)
New guidance has been issued recommending that recess should always be protected and never withheld for academic or punitive reasons. The duration of recess varies significantly across U.S. schools, with some offering less than 10 minutes while others provide more than an hour each day, a situation partly influenced by the push for higher test scores. In contrast, students in countries like Denmark, Japan, and the United Kingdom enjoy breaks after every 45 to 50 minutes of classroom instruction.
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 13:53 UTC)
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released updated guidance urging schools to protect recess, marking the first new policy statement on the topic in 13 years. This guidance, authored by Dr. Robert Murray and supported by childhood obesity expert Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, emphasizes that recess is essential for children's health and academic success, recommending at least 20 minutes of daily recess along with multiple breaks. The report highlights that up to 40% of school districts have reduced or eliminated recess since the mid-2000s and warns against using it as punishment for disruptive behavior, citing research that underscores the importance of breaks for improving focus and memory.