In a new policy statement released Monday the group says, "recess is a crucial and necessary component of a child's development."
The statement, which cites two decades worth of scientific evidence, points to the various benefits of recess.
While physical activity is among these, so too are some less obvious pluses such as cognitive benefits, better attention during class, and enhanced social and emotional development.
The statement is the latest move in the long-running debate over how much of a young child's time at school should be devoted to academics and how much should go to unstructured playtime.
