Research confirms recess is a crucial part of schooling, nurturing holistic well-being and supporting schools’ mission to provide a well-rounded education. This unstructured break fosters imagination, collaboration, ingenuity, resilience and critical thinking—skills at the core of emotional regulation. How recess happens requires focused effort by leaders to include recess with other school improvement strategies. As key influencers in schools, leaders are positioned to protect recess and ensure students experience daily quality recess as an integral part of the school day. Learn what makes a quality recess; it’s not just about protecting minutes. You will be inspired to take action, to provide the best opportunity for kids to learn and thrive: To move school systems to function in ways that ensure students are rigorously challenged and also given times to just be kids—to elevate the joy of schooling and learning, preparing them for the challenges of life beyond school.