By Tara Parker-Pope, The New York Times, February 23, 2009

The best way to improve children’s performance in the classroom may be to take them out of it.

New research suggests that play and down time may be as important to a child’s academic experience as reading, science and math, and that regular recess, fitness or nature time can influence behavior, concentration and even grades.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/health/24well.html?em