Organizations are working with city schools to make the most of playtime, which experts say leads to benefits in the classroom.
The School District of Philadelphia doesn’t track which schools provide recess–it is recommended but not mandated as part of the elementary school schedule–and could not provide any information about the state of schoolyards.
This could be shortsighted, experts say.
“We know that without play, children become ill,” said Anna Beresin, a professor at the University of the Arts, who has spent decades studying how and why kids play.
She added, “Children need recess playtime to move their bodies, strengthen their social ties, and invent their cultural world. Play is particularly important at school as it allows children to synthesize what they learn in their own way.”
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