News
Psychosocial Physical Activity Laboratory
September 28, 2023
Will Massey quoted by Portland Business Journal
Associate Professor Will Massey was quoted in a Portland Business Journal article titled, The Play Gap: Inside the equity gap in youth sports, where wealth can equal access (paywall). The article discusses how youth sports are big business and how competitive clubs are locking some children out of sports and the benefits they deliver.
October 14, 2022
How Much Recess Should Kids Get?
Experts say recess is crucial to learning and development, but many kids don't get enough. Read more at U.S. News & World Report.
September 07, 2022
Here's What Recess Looks Like Around The World
Children may play in fundamentally similar ways everywhere — but recess unfolds very differently around the globe. Read more at Fatherly.
May 12, 2022
Kids’ access to recess varies greatly
Child development experts say recess is critical, but states are lax on protecting it. Up to 86 percent of teachers have denied or decreased recess time as a punishment for behavior. While it may work in the short term to get some students to comply quickly, experts say the practice can be harmful in the long term, and possibly make behaviors worse. Read more at The Hechinger Report.
February 14, 2022
How recess helps students learn
As parents and schools seek to support students’ social and emotional needs – and teach them what they need to learn – some education leaders are missing one particularly effective opportunity. Read more at The Conversation.
June 22, 2020
5 reasons to make sure recess doesn’t get short shrift when school resumes in person
We believe that leaving recess out of the school day could hurt elementary school students. Along with our colleagues in this field, we have found clear evidence that children will need a chance to play during recess more than ever when schools open their doors. Here are five main benefits from recess. Read more at The Conversation.
June 18, 2020
Why quality recess time is needed more than ever
Recess is more than just fun and games; it is through play that children learn and grow, and the unstructured recess space is an important site for students to reconnect with their peers after months of isolation. Read more at ASCD Inservice.
June 14, 2020
Experts look for solutions addressing pandemic-induced learning loss for students
When you stay home from school from being sick, it can be a challenge to catch up on the lessons you missed. But how best can students “make up” for lost learning when the entire world is getting over a sickness all at the same time? Read more at KOIN TV.
June 12, 2020
The Importance of Daily Recess When Schools Return From COVID-19 Lockdowns
Providing children with regular opportunities to play, socialize, rest, and re-energize through recess is imperative. High quality recess breaks improve mood, well-being, school engagement, behavior, learning, focus, attendance, and overall school climate. Read more at National PTA.
September 25, 2019
Recess: Is it just for play?
Researcher and dad, William Massey, explains the benefits of recess, what high-quality recess looks like and how parents can get involved in recess. Listen to episode at National PTA Podcast.
August 28, 2018
Adult Play at Recess Can Help Kids
As kids head back to school, attention is usually on the academics: teachers planning the first lessons, and parents making sure students haven’t lost too much ground over the summer. But a new study draws attention to an often overlooked part of the school day: recess.
July 17, 2018
7 Things to Know About School Recess
Recent U.S. education reform has focused on defining and raising the subject-matter standards students are expected to meet. In order to get their students up to snuff, schools are extending the school day and putting more and more emphasis on academic learning, which can squeeze out a beloved part of the traditional school day–recess. Read full article.
June 4, 2018
Sport for Development: The Road to Evidence
OSU Assistant Professor William Massey helps pave the road to evidence in sport for development.