Should Canadian schools have more recess breaks?

Frank Welsh, director of policy with the Canadian Public Health Association, said an increasing emphasis on academic achievement has resulted in more time spent in the classroom.

“All those things that go on in school is important, but it’s equally important to get kids outside to learn things on our own,” Welsh said from Ottawa via Skype.

“The irony is, if you give kids more time outside to play, they’ll do better in school.”

Welsh said physical activity allows students to burn off steam so that when they’re back in the classroom, they’re ready to learn.