Pediatric Experts Promote the Importance of Play

January 18, 2007 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

by Rochelle Davis, HSC Executive Director

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a report called “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds” (PDF). 

While its purpose is to help doctors provide advice to parents about the need for children to have free play and unscheduled time, it is important to realize that many schools have been eliminating recess in an attempt make more time for academics. 

The reports identifies as integral to the academic achievement suggestions that the reduced time for physical activity may be contributing to the academic differences between boys and girls. As school districts across the country are working to implement their wellness policies, they need to go give attention to children’s need for recess as well as healty food.

For more information, read the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists position on recess (PDF). And the American Association for the Child’s Right to Play maintains articles about recess trends.