Why Play Matters

“Obesity is the number one medical reason recruits are rejected for military service.” (Hendren, John. "Would-Be Soldiers Too Fat to Serve." ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Politics, Online News, World News, Feature Stories, Celebrity Interviews and More - ABC News. Learn more)

“The number of obese children in America has more than tripled in the past 30 years.” ("Childhood Obesity - DASH/HealthyYouth." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more)

“If that’s not bad enough, obese kids are more likely than normal weight kids to become overweight adults.” ("Obesity In Children And Teens." American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.)Learn more)

”Right now, 34% of Americans over twenty and 18% of adolescents between twelve and 19-year-olds are obese.” ("FASTSTATS - Overweight Prevalence." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more)

The most unexpected opportunity to boost learning lies outside the classroom: on the playground at recess.” (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. FENTON Communications "The State of Play." Gallup Survey of Principals on School Recess (2010): 1-14. Print.).

“Play is linked to greater creativity and problem solving, improved reading levels, and higher IQ scores.” (Miller and Almon, Crisis in the Kindergarten; Why Children Need to Play in School).

“Play has been scientifically proven to be good for the brain. It creates new neural networks and helps resolve cognitive difficulties.” (Shute, Nancy. 10 Reasons Play Can Make You Healthy, Happy, and More Productive. U.S. News and World Report, 9 Mar. 2009. Web. 2 July 2010. Learn more.).

“91% of Americans agree recess helps children stay focused and learn in the classroom.” (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. FENTON Communications "The State of Play." Gallup Survey of Principals on School Recess (2010): 1-14. Print.).

“According to a 1997 study, preschoolers who don’t play are three times more likely to commit a felony as adults than those who did.” (Schweinhart, L.J. & Weikart, D.P. (1997). The High/Scope preschool curriculum comparison study through age 23. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 12(2), 117-143.)

“The fact is a healthy dose of childhood play produces healthier, happier and more socially adjusted people.” (The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "First-Of-Its-Kind Gallup Poll Links Recess To Academic Achievement - RWJF." The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Health and Health Care Improvement - RWJF. 04 Feb. 2010. Learn more.).

“By the time they're 23, preschoolers who don't play enough are up to three times more likely to commit a felony.” (Pytel, Barbara. "Preschool Controversy- Academics or Play?: No Child Left Behind Pressuring Schools Beyond Reason." Educational Issues. 9 Dec. 2009. Web. 12 July 2010.Learn more.).

“Children who get their recommended daily allowance of play are not only healthier and happier – they’re better behaved.” (KaBOOM!, Inc. "Facts on Play." We Help Communities Build Playgrounds. 2010. Learn more.).