I spent eight years of my life at a school that actually permitted its students to run around; where young boys and girls could release all their pent up energy on the playgrounds or at the basketball courts during recess. In fact, I had two opportunities for play – right before the school day and right after lunch.

Today, recess is considered a waste of time, a squandering of a child’s ability to learn his or her multiplication tables and fractions, state capitals and periodic tables.

Right.

The estimates vary, but nationwide, schools aren’t devoting nearly as much time to recess as they used to. For example, some estimates say that almost 15 percent of schools have no recess for 6th graders and almost 10 percent of schools have no recess for 2nd graders, who, by all accounts, are pint-sized balls of energy. A 2001 estimate said that 40 percent of elementary schools nationwide were considering eliminating recess, if they hadn’t already.

Is it really any wonder why so many kids don’t pay attention in school? Or why their grades suffer?

The reality is that if kids are given a chance to play, they’re more likely to get an A. It makes intuitive sense to me, but research backs this up.

According to the latest research on the topic from Michigan State University (Go Spartans!), students that scored the best in measurements of fitness also tended to have the best grades in class. The study involved approximately 315 middle schoolers. When the researchers assessed the students’ fitness levels – which included measurements of their strength, flexibility and aerobic ability – the most fit among them scored an average of 30 percent higher than the least fit on standardized tests. How did the least fit fare? They scored anywhere between 13 and 20 percent lower than other kids who weren’t as out of shape.

Thankfully, many state governments are mandating recess for all students. As of 2007, 15 states were at least considering such legislation, while several states had already past mandatory recess, like Oklahoma, Arkansas and Connecticut.

Put yourself in these kids’ shoes. Could you honestly have survived eight years of elementary and middle school without some outlet to let it all out? Think of your work life now. For most people – including myself – workdays are spent at an office, in front of a computer, at a desk…in other words, sitting. I don’t think I’d be able to function at my best without the knowledge that once I leave work, I can go out for a run. So many kids don’t have that. Not only are they cooped up in school for seven to eight hours a day, but they then have to do the very same thing at home with homework. They’re lucky if its not pitch black outside by the time their done.

In the meantime, there’s at least one health guru on the front lines fighting for kids’ recess time. Richard Simmons – yes, the sweatin’-to-the-oldies-dancin’, sequins-adorned eccentric we’re all familiar with – spoke in front of Congress to try and get legislators to back his proposals on implementing more time for recess and physical education in schools.

But you can do the same thing. Email your state representative, your congressmen, your senators – where do they stand on the issue? They’re paid to listen to their constituents, the very people that vote them in (and out) of office.

Do it for your kids’ health, their grades, and their sanity (not to mention their teachers’)!