Most children, when they enter the school system, have never been around more than four or five children of their own age, and, in school, they encounter hundreds of other students of the same age. As a result, school is crucial in the social development of students, as they learn how to interact with others, build self-esteem and communicate effectively. Social interaction is frowned upon in most classrooms, and recess provides a good opportunity for children to interact and learn the social skills that they will need later in life.
As a result of the obesity crisis in the United States, many schools are increasing their recess time to force students to get daily and routine exercise. Recess provides a good opportunity for children to receive cardiovascular exercise, which can lower their blood pressure and reduce their risk of being overweight. Some recesses have planned activities, which can force students who would not otherwise be active to participate and exercise.
Recess avails certain opportunities for students to experiment with extracurricular activities, such as music, sports, dancing or acting. Many students can become left behind in the curriculum of the education system, and these students may rely on sports scholarships or extracurricular achievements to progress in school. Recess at an early age can help students develop specialized skills, where they can build a foundation for their future hobbies or careers.
Recess can also improve students quality of learning in the classroom. In a 2011 study entitled "Recess, Physical Education, and Elementary School Student Outcomes," three students from different universities examined the correlation between young students' test scores and recess. The study found that, although recess takes time away from the classroom, it allows students to expend energy, which makes them more likely to behave and pay attention in the classroom. It also forces young students to work on communication skills, and, because these skills are taught in elementary school, students' development in this area also improved their standardized test scores.