Anna Beresin, University of the Arts associate professor of liberal arts, documents the importance of recess and free play within schools in her just-published book, Recess Battles, which was recently featured in a Philadelphia Inquirer article. Beresin conducted her own research from 1991 to 2004 by visiting Philadelphia elementary schools and observing recess there. "We're wired for play," she says. "It functions in a profound way in childhood development and is essential to happiness for both children and grown-ups." Unfortunately, 40 percent of schools in the United States are limiting or eliminating mid-morning recess. In an effort to help change this, Beresin created a project called Recess Access. After surveying local elementary schoolyards and learning that many are in poor quality, eight schools were chosen to receive balls, jump ropes and basketball goals, with grant assistance from the University of the Arts.