Engage with us: We want to hear YOUR recess stories. You might have one very specific memory.  Or you might have several memories about recess. Or possibly (hopefully) you’re still making recess stories! We’re interested in telling your recess stories in a somewhat organized fashion: to edit a book, exciting readers and inspiring advocacy for this essential/ critical/ undervalued/ overlooked part of a student’s academic day. Share your Recess Story Here

Listen to SHC Consultants Dr. Bob Murray and Dr. Cathy Ramstetter with Dr. Debbie Rhea on  Right Moves: A LiiNK Center for Healthy Play Podcast • A podcast on Spotify for Podcasters. We discuss recess and play and their impact on children’s health!

Check out IPA-USA Porch Play Chats, hosted by Dr. Deb Lawrence. Dr. Brickman and Dr. Ramstetter joined Deb “on the porch” to chat about advocating for recess and creating inclusive play experiences. Coming soon: Chatting about how recess supports SEL.

Past Engagements

June 6-9, 2023

International Play Association Triennial World Conference in Glasgow Scotland!

SHC Consultants Dr. Bob Murray, Dr. Charlene Woodham Brickman and Dr. Cathy Ramstetter presented: Recess 2023—Review of Recent Research Elevates the Importance of Recess for ALL Students. (Click here to access and download a copy of the powerpoint slides)

Dr. Ramstetter also facilitated a panel of Global Recess Alliance founding members discussing Recess and the right to play: A global panel discussion. (As it was a discussion, no presentation is available.)

Dr. Ramstetter will also presented research conducted with Dr. Dale Borman Fink:  “Even if they’re being bad, maybe they need a chance to run around”: Children’s voices on withholding recess. (Click here to access and download a copy of the presentation.)

Did you miss past Virtual Coffee Chats with Jessica about IEPs and Special Education? Email Jessica for details!

In October and November, 2022, Charlene and Cathy had the opportunity to speak at International Play Association-USA, Action For Healthy Kids National Conference, and finished up at the Head to Toe Conference about the benefits and components of quality recess, and to encourage participants to advocate for recess for all students in their communities! Thanks to all who attended and have already connected with stakeholders in their communities.

Charlene went on from these three conferences to present with her 10-year-old granddaughter Harper at NAEYC. Harper shared her story about how recess has been diminished to a meager 5 minutes in her school, making a strong case for herself and her peers that recess is a right. 

In case you missed the GRA’s updated statement on recess, check it out: MAKE SURE STUDENTS HAVE DAILY TIME FOR RECESS