The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Many children—by some estimates, 40 percent—no longer have recess during a typical school day. Tighter budgets, safety concerns, and lack of recreational space have contributed to the decline of recess, particularly in low-income schools. At the same time, research has documented a link between physical activity and classroom success, with just 15 minutes of play time each day producing a positive impact on academic achievement.
Evidence & Insights From This Project
Hard Work on the Playground
The Playworks program places full-time coaches in low-income schools in order to organize and direct play during recess and the school day. Mathematica studied the effects of the the Playworks program over the course of two school years (2010-2012). Results of this rigorous study were published in four recent editions of health and medical journals.
Learn MoreFindings from an Experimental Evaluation of Playworks: Effects on Play, Physical Activity, and Recess
Positive Impacts of Playworks on Students' Healthy Behaviors: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial
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