New York state Sen. James Skoufis recently introduced a bill which if signed into law would make recess mandatory for all elementary school kids.

For most students, like 5th grader Tate Patterson, it is the only time he gets to spend with his friends outside of the classroom.

“I like recess because I get to move around and be with my friends and get my energy out,” said Patterson.

Wappinger’s Central School District Superintendent Dwight Bonk said his district knows the importance of kids needing to take a break during the day.

“The amount of interaction and socialization that they have with their students, the decisions that they make, the friendships that they develop, not to mention the fact that we know that childhood obesity is an issue throughout our society today,” said Bonk.

That is why Skoufis is pushing legislation to make sure that all elementary school students throughout the state get recess as a mandatory requirement.

“I was quite frankly startled to see that it's only really about 10 states in the country that require recess and New York is not one of them. And so, yes, most schools — most — they provide recess, some don't. Some actually use recess as a punishment,” said Skoufis.

If signed into law, the bill would require recess and prevent schools from depriving it as a form of punishment.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Rudy Nydegger also agrees that recess should be a mandatory requirement at every school.

“I think it's a shame that we have to mandate it. But I would rather mandated than let it slip by. It's too important for these kids to be able to develop the personal and physical and social skills that they get from the activities that are provided for them during recess,” said Dr. Nydegger.

Dr. Nydegger said there is really nothing negative from having recess other than taking time away from the classroom, but he says taking breaks are necessary.

“Taking a break from the learning environment makes kids want to learn even more or be more effective in their learning, but also, most of these kids do not get adequate physical activity during the day,” said Dr. Nydegger.

The World Health organization has found that 81% of elementary-age students don’t engage in enough physical activity, only around 10 U.S. States currently mandate recess periods.