Recess has long been a cherished part of the school day, and memories made on the playground are often what we recall the most from our early days.

But in recent years, unstructured play has quietly been eroded. That age-appropriate freedom that children crave and need — the chance to imagine, explore and socialize on their own terms — has become increasingly monitored, scheduled and directed by adults. Whether it’s concern for safety, pressure to maximize academic achievement, or overscheduling extracurricular activities, children today have fewer opportunities to simply play.

In May, NYSUT joined education leaders, lawmakers, parents and students at the New York State Capitol to highlight the power of unstructured play and promote legislation aimed at making recess a daily priority in schools.

At the time of publication, we are awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature on a bill sponsored by Sen. James Skoufis that calls for a statewide study of recess practices in grades K–6. The goal is to identify gaps and disparities in recess time and ensure all students have access to meaningful daily play.