Editing Recess (break) (section)

==Recess data==
The debate surrounding recess has been around for decades and is still happening today. Some people believe that recess is important, while others argue that eliminating recess will lead to better academic achievement.<ref name="ramstetter517">{{Cite journal|last1=Ramstetter|first1=Catherine L.|last2=Murray|first2=Robert|last3=Garner|first3=Andrew S.|date=October 7, 2010|title=The Crucial Role of Recess in Schools|journal=Journal of School Health|language=en|volume=80|issue=11|pages=517–526|doi=10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00537.x|pmid=21039550|s2cid=9939562|issn=0022-4391}}</ref> Educators, parents, and experts are debating the importance of recess and play time in the school day.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pellegrini|first=Anthony|date=Fall 2008|title=The Recess Debate: A Disjuncture between Educational Policy and Scientific Research|url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1069008.pdf|journal=American Journal of Play|pages=181–190}}</ref> Data shows that recess has many benefits for students.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jarret|first=Olga|date=November 2013|title=A Research-Based Case for Recess|url=https://usplaycoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/13.11.5_Recess_final_online.pdf|journal=US Play Coalition|pages=1–5}}</ref>  These benefits include increased health, increased test scores, increased attention and social abilities, as well as better behavior. This is because during this physical activity, students produce [[dopamine]], a [[neurotransmitter]] involved in memory and problem-solving.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Shohamy|first1=Daphna|last2=Adcock|first2=R. Alison|date=2010|title=Dopamine and adaptive memory|url=https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(10)00186-5|journal=Trends in Cognitive Sciences|language=en|volume=14|issue=10|pages=464–472|doi=10.1016/j.tics.2010.08.002|pmid=20829095|issn=1364-6613|citeseerx=10.1.1.459.5641|s2cid=7628266}}</ref> Also, the [[National Association for the Education of Young Children]] (NAEYC) advocates for unstructured play, including recess. NAEYC recommends play as a way for children to decrease stress and develop socially.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play|title=10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play {{!}} NAEYC|website=www.naeyc.org|language=en|access-date=October 14, 2018}}</ref> But, about 40% of school districts in the United States are doing away with recess.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipausa.org/recess_pages/promoting_recess.html|title=IPA/USA : Promoting Recess|website=www.ipausa.org|access-date=October 14, 2018}}</ref>  Studies show that this lack of free and unstructured play during recess may contribute to the rise in [[childhood obesity]], [[anxiety]] and [[Depression (mood)|depression]] among children, as well as [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]].

===Childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes===
[[Childhood obesity]] and [[type 2 diabetes]] are also a major concern as United States youth do not get the physical outlet needed not only for their cognitive development but for their physical health.<ref>Recess-It's Indispensable!  ''Young Children''. National Association for the Education of young children. September 2009 Vol. 64, No. 5; pg. 66.</ref> Statistics show that children are getting 50% less physical exploration and activity than decades before.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.habitot.org/museum/pdf/play_research/Health_brief.pdf|title=The Loss of Children's Play: A Public Health Issue|date=November 2010|website=Alliance for Childhood|access-date=October 11, 2018}}</ref> Research has shown that spending 60 minutes a day doing physical activity can prevent childhood obesity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/recess-a-crucial-part-of-school-day-says-american-academy-of-pediatrics/|title=Recess a crucial part of school day, says American Academy of Pediatrics|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en}}</ref> The U.S. Health and Human Services department also has a guideline for 60 minutes a day of physical activity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/be-active/physical-activity-guidelines-for-americans/index.html|title=Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans|last=(ASH)|first=President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, Assistant Secretary for Health|date=July 20, 2012|work=HHS.gov|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en}}</ref> But, research has shown that only very few children actually meet this national guideline.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/few-children-get-60-minutes-vigorous-physical-activity-daily|title=Few children get 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity daily|date=April 5, 2016|work=Tufts Now|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Failure to meet this guideline and exercise daily is leading to harmful health issues for children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livestrong.com/article/370982-lack-of-exercise-for-children/|title=Lack of Exercise for Children|last=Beck|first=Erin|work=LIVESTRONG.COM|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Recess can be an outlet for students to get some of this physical activity and aid in preventing childhood obesity and diabetes.<ref name="ramstetter517"/>

=== Timing of recess ===
Another important aspect of recess to consider is what time of day it should be implemented. Traditionally schools have recess after lunch. But, in 2002, the Recess before Lunch (RBL) movement was founded. A health team in Montana created a study on four schools that made this schedule adjustment. After this study, many schools have started adapting the recess before lunch schedule.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nea.org/archive/43158.htm|title=Recess Before Lunch|work=NEA|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Research suggests that having recess before lunch can improve the nutrition and behavior of elementary students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peacefulplaygrounds.com/download/lunch/benefits-recess-before-lunch-facts.pdf|title=Benefits of Recess Before Lunch|access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref>

===Effects on classroom behavior===
According to the [[American Heart Association]], the CDC reported that there is a link between physical activity and academic performance in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@adv/documents/downloadable/ucm_308261.pdf|title=Status of Physical Education in the USA|date=2010|access-date=October 11, 2018}}</ref> Some benefits to recess include students being more attentive, better academic performance and better behavior.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jarrett|first1=Olga S.|last2=Maxwell|first2=Darlene M.|last3=Dickerson|first3=Carrie|last4=Hoge|first4=Pamela|last5=Davies|first5=Gwen|last6=Yetley|first6=Amy|date=1998|title=Impact of Recess on Classroom Behavior: Group Effects and Individual Differences|journal=The Journal of Educational Research|language=en|volume=92|issue=2|pages=121–126|doi=10.1080/00220679809597584|issn=0022-0671}}</ref>  Many different studies show recess as being beneficial to students in the classroom. One of the goals of recess is to help students release excess energy and be refreshed focused upon return to the classroom.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.stanford.edu/2015/02/11/recess-benefits-school-021115/|title=School recess offers benefits to student well-being, Stanford educator reports|last=University|first=Stanford|date=February 11, 2015|work=Stanford News|access-date=October 14, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> According to a 2009 study, children who received daily recess were reported to behave better within the classroom.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Baros|first1=Romina|last2=Silver|first2=Ellen|last3=Stein|first3=Ruth|date=February 2009|title=School Recess and Group Classroom Behavior|url=http://nycphysicaleducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Recess-Improves-Child-Behavior-Pediatrics-2009-3.pdf|journal=Peadiactics|volume=123|pages=431–435}}</ref> After a long time in the classroom, students may become restless and disengaged. Studies show that after recess students become more attentive and engaged in classroom discussions.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9EaIvUQziRgC&q=recess+and+attention&pg=PA36|title=Play = Learning: How Play Motivates and Enhances Children's Cognitive and Social-Emotional Growth|last1=Singer|first1=Dorothy|last2=Golinkoff|first2=Roberta Michnick|last3=Hirsh-Pasek|first3=Kathy|date=August 24, 2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780198041429|language=en}}</ref> This is because recess gave students a necessary break from the rigorous classroom and learning setting. A 2017 study of fifth graders suggested that 25 minutes of recess could increase students' time on task.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Smith|first=Jenny|date=May 2017|title=THE EFFECT OF RECESS ON FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS' TIME ON-TASK IN AN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM|url=http://thesis.honors.olemiss.edu/743/1/THESIS%20FINAL%20REVISED.pdf|journal=The University of Mississippi}}</ref> Also, recess can reduce the risk of students falling asleep during learning time by its physical aspect allows students' bodies to oxygenate and stay awake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playfiteducation.com/blog/50-what-is-recess|title=What is recess? – Playfit Education|last=Hinson|first=Dr. Curt|website=www.playfiteducation.com|language=en-gb|access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref>