“The Case for Middle School Recess”

By Catherine Ramstetter and Charlene Woodham Brickman (Principal Leadership, September 2025, Vol. 26, #1, pp. 19–21)

Background & Context

Authored by Catherine Ramstetter—a school health consultant and founding member of the Global Recess Alliance—and Charlene Woodham Brickman, an educational consultant and researcher with a PhD in Early Childhood Education, “The Case for Middle School Recess” underscores the critical role of recess in adolescent development. Their article challenges the misconception that recess belongs solely in elementary school and argues for its importance during the middle school years as well 

Key Arguments & Insights

1. Developmental Needs Don't Fade in Middle School

The authors highlight that while middle school students might appear more mature, their social, emotional, and physical needs persist — and recess provides essential unstructured time for peer interaction, stress relief, and physical activity.

2. Cognitive and Academic Benefits

Recess isn’t a break from learning—it supports it. Physical activity during unstructured play boosts attention, memory retention, and executive functioning. Recess can help adolescents return to class more focused and ready to engage academically.

3. Social–Emotional Growth and Conflict Resolution

During recess, students navigate social dynamics—forming friendships, negotiating play rules, and resolving conflicts. These experiences build communication, leadership, empathy, and emotional regulation—skills essential for healthy adolescence.

4. Equity and Mental Health Considerations

The article emphasizes that recess supports mental well-being, offering relief from academic pressure and a space to decompress—vital for easing anxiety and stress during the often turbulent middle school years.

Challenges & Barriers Include:

• Curriculum Pressure: Increasing demands for instructional time often push recess aside.

• Inadequate Training: Educators and administrators may lack preparation or resources to integrate recess into middle school schedules.

• Misconceptions: Recess is frequently viewed as non-essential, especially for older students, despite mounting research on its benefits.

The Authors’ Recommendations

1. Institutionalize Recess in Middle School Schedules Reframe recess as a critical element—not a luxury—by formally embedding it into the school day for all age groups.

2. Promote Recess as a Learning Support Position recess as a complement to classroom instruction, enhancing academic focus, health, and overall student readiness to learn.

3. Provide Professional Development Equip educators with training in supporting healthy, inclusive recess environments—ensuring it’s safe, active, and socially enriching.

4. Advocate for Policy Change and Equity Build stakeholder support (educators, parents, policymakers) for recess as a matter of equity and overall student well-being. Use evidence-based advocacy to secure sustained commitment.

Why This Matters

Recess in middle school isn’t just play—it’s an educational tool. As schools focus on preparing students academically and emotionally for high school and beyond, recess can:

• Rejuvenate focus and engagement

• Support holistic development—social, emotional, cognitive

• Mitigate stress, anxiety, and burnout

• Bridge gaps in equity, ensuring all students have access to restorative play

Original Article

Citation This summary is based on “The Case for Middle School Recess” by Catherine Ramstetter and Charlene Woodham Brickman, published in Principal Leadership, September 2025, Volume 26, Issue 1, pages 19–21. Article listing: https://www.nassp.org/publication/principal-leadership/volume-26-20... NASSP

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com