A Call for School Recess

On May 8, 2008, over 125 mothers, grandmothers and children of Chicago met with their state legislators in a legislative breakfast at the State Capitol to advocate for HB 4374 to mandate recess in every Chicago public school and to promote children’s right to play.

The bill reflects the “severe decline” of recess in Chicago public elementary schools. 82 percent of Chicago public elementary schools do not implement recess according to a Community Organizing and Family Issues press release titled “Moms on a Mission for Recess.”

COFI reported that mothers and childhood advocates explained how schools must provide an environment that best promotes children’s ability to succeed.

The advocates stated that recess “affects children’s ability to develop socially and emotionally, and provides stimulus for learning better and more quickly." They went on to say that breaks at school "addresses the rising problem of childhood obesity.”

Rep. Mary Flowers (D-31), the House lead sponsor of the bill, stated that when we send our children to school, we need to ensure they have the environment that promotes their success.

“Recess has been proven to help children learn better and more quickly, and yet too many schools have cut it from their programs,” she added.



The National PTA, the Center for Disease Control, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals are all in support of mandatory recess. Recess is also “a child’s right,” according to Lynn Morton, a parent leader and co-chair of Power-Pac, a citywide coalition of low-income African-American and Latino parent groups.