A Peek into the Upcoming American Academy of Pediatrics Recess Policy Statement Updates

The American Academy of Pediatrics first published a policy statement on recess in 2013, stating that recess plays a crucial role in a child’s development, and is equally as important as academic pursuits. Sadly, standardized testing and academic scores have continued to be prioritized in schools while recess is often removed for tutoring or punishment. After the Covid 19 pandemic, this trend only deepened despite numerous research pointing to recess, physical activity, and the outdoors as key elements to improve whole child health and academic scores. These two areas suffered greatly as schools attempted to get back on track after Covid. Though the AAP reaffirmed their recess policy statement in April of 2023, they knew an official update was needed. The update will be in print this spring 2026! Dr. Rhea sits down with Drs. Robert Murray and Cathy Ramstetter, co-authors of the previous 2013 recess policy statement and the updated 2026 policy statement, to discuss the elements that needed to be updated, a new element that needed more focus (medical field and the education system), and why the update is necessary now.Dr. Cathy Ramstetter is a School Health Consultant with ⁠Successful Healthy Children⁠, assisting schools with wellness initiatives and recess implementation, to protect recess for every child everyday and to foster children’s healthy growth and development. Dr. Ramstetter is the co-author of AAP’s Policy on Recess with Dr. Bob Murray. She serves on the Board of Directors for DePaul Cristo Rey High School in Cincinnati, where she is a member of the Academic Committee. In April, 2020, Dr. Ramstetter was a founding member of the ⁠Global Recess Alliance⁠, academic leaders from the US, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, which guides schools to rethink policies and practices for recess.  In October of 2022, the ⁠International Play Association-USA⁠ conferred the Doctor of Play to Dr. Ramstetter in recognition of her lifetime achievements in advocating for the child’s right to play.Dr. Robert Murray spent over 20 years in the field of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in the Ohio State University School of Medicine. For 5 years, he served as the director of the ⁠Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition⁠, offering medical and surgical treatments for child and adolescent obesity. Dr. Murray also was the pediatric medical director for ⁠Abbott Nutrition⁠ from 2003-2006. For over a decade Dr. Murray was an executive committee member of the ⁠American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on School Health⁠, serving as chair in the final 4 years. He is a Board member of ⁠Action for Healthy Kids⁠, and previously served on the Board of the ⁠Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation⁠ and the ⁠Children’s Hunger Alliance⁠. Dr. Murray is a past President of the Ohio Chapter of the ⁠American Academy of Pediatrics⁠.