March 20, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Trien, 585-410-6359, strien@museumofplay.org

Strong National Museum of Play®
Releases Research on School Recess

Results Support Proposed Texas State Recess Bill

Recess is quickly disappearing from our nation’s schools due to a greater emphasis on standardized testing, concerns about supervision and discipline, fear of playground injuries and lawsuits, and funding considerations; and the possible ramifications are dismaying.

Strong National Museum of Play® in Rochester, New York—the only museum in the world devoted to the study of play—today released on its website (www.museumofplay.org) a summary of one of the most recent examinations of the importance of recess: an original case study conducted by Karen L. Hutchison, Ed.D., RPT, Strong’s director of play information and programs, showing that third-grade students in three San Antonio, Texas schools performed less well academically and suffered increased health problems when deprived of recess.

According to the Hutchison study, when denied of opportunities to learn socialization skills and develop friendships during recess, students demonstrated insecure behaviors and lack of self confidence. Teachers also reacted negatively, reporting that they incurred stress-related medical problems and felt badly about favoring memorization over more engaging teaching practices.

The study supports an annotated compilation of significant research findings (also posted on the museum website) showing a correlation between school recess, free play, and learning among grade school children. Among the research findings cited:
• The brain needs periods of rest and novelty typical of unstructured recess play in order to recycle chemicals vital for long-term memory and attention. (Journal of American Child Psychology)

• Research in French and Canadian schools over a four-year period and nearly 200 other studies . . .indicate that recess serves as an academic boost. (Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology)

• According to a study of five-year-olds, pretend play at recess significantly improves readiness for mathematics. (Journal of Research and Development in Education)

Few states require school recess. In 2006, Virginia made news by making recess state law. More recently, a bill has been proposed by Texas State Representative Mike Villarreal that would encourage schools in Texas to reinstate recess. The Texas House Committee on Public Education will hold a hearing on Villareal’s House Bill 366 on March 20. The proposed “Freedom to Play and Learn Act” would make Texas the latest state in the nation to adopt a formal policy favoring recess in all elementary schools.

In Texas, 60 percent of the state’s 14,000 elementary schools have reduced or eliminated recess in favor of increased instructional time. This reduction is in part due to the nationwide trend fueled by the “No Child Left Behind Act” of 2001, which mandated standardized testing in third-grade reading and math. Currently, 40 percent of elementary schools in the U.S. have reduced, modified, or eliminated recess even though there is no research to support the notion that replacing recess with additional class time improves learning or test scores.

Research results posted on Strong National Museum of Play’s website are also consistent with findings in the newly released clinical report on the importance of free play at home and at school by Dr. Kenneth Ginsberg and the American Academy of Pediatrics (also available on Strong’s website).

“Recess has been under attack almost everywhere,” observes Hutchison, “and that’s a tragic educational mistake. Unstructured free play during recess actually supports and enhances classroom learning. Active recess play provides needed breaks, stimulates neural development, enables children to remain attentive in class, and helps them learn problem-solving and social skills.”

A summary of the results of Hutchison’s case study, along with other information relative to recess, free play, and learning, can be found at: www.museumofplay.org.

Strong National Museum of Play® is the only museum in the world devoted to the study of play as it illuminates American culture. The museum explores play to encourage learning, creativity, and discovery. Strong accomplishes this through exhibits, programs, publications, and other activities that engage, entertain, and enlighten diverse audiences, especially families, children, and educators.