For the first time in more than a decade, a leading pediatricians group has put out new guidance about recess, saying it’s crucial for good health and good grades and should be part of the school day for students of all ages. The updated policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics comes after years of shrinking breaks between lessons and worsening children’s health. The group cites the latest research on why these breaks are essential for kids’ academic success and mental, physical, social and emotional growth. The guidance was published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

The New York Islanders are donating $150,000 to create a child support center in honor of Matthew Schaefer's late mother, Jennifer. The team announced the creation of a place at R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Hospital on Long Island for children to wait while a parent undergoes treatment. Schaefer, the front-runner to be NHL rookie of the year and face of the Islanders franchise since they took him with the No. 1 pick in the draft, has talked extensively about his mother's fight and death and her impact on his life and hockey career.

Mexico is embracing its ancient ballgame, ulama, as it prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This 3,400-year-old sport, nearly erased during the Spanish conquest, is gaining attention alongside international soccer. Ulama, played with a heavy rubber ball using only the hips, was once a ritual practice. Today, families like the Osunas in Sinaloa are keeping the tradition alive. While some see tourism as a revival tool, others worry it may distort the sport's cultural significance. Authorities and players are working to preserve ulama's heritage and introduce it to new generations.

California will become the first state in the nation to provide infants with hundreds of free diapers before they leave hospitals after birth. Officials say the goal is to ease the financial burden on families welcoming newborns in the notoriously costly state. The state will provide 400 diapers to each newborn through participating hospitals. The program in its first year will be limited to hospitals largely serving low-income patients, and then it will expand statewide after that. It comes two years after Tennessee and Delaware became the first states to offer free diapers to families enrolled in their state's Medicaid programs.

In Gaza, some Palestinian children are finding respite from the harsh realities of life in breakdancing. A school in Nuseirat refugee camp trains them in break dance, gymnastics, and contemporary dance. An instructor says the school helps the kids build self-confidence and find catharsis. One student says she goes there to release negative energy and enjoy herself. Israel’s military offensive, triggered by the Hamas-led militants' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, caused widespread destruction and displaced most of the territory’s residents. A fragile ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, but many daily challenges persist in Gaza.

New Mexico state prosecutors are seeking fundamental changes to Meta’s social media apps and algorithms to safeguard children in the second phase of a landmark trial on allegations that platforms such as Instagram have created a public safety hazard. Attorneys made opening statements Monday in the three-week bench trial. Meta has warned that it could eliminate service in the state if forced to comply with impractical mandates. Recent jury verdicts have validated long-standing concerns about the dangers of social media for young people. New Mexico prosecutors say Meta's platforms pose a public nuisance under state law and want improvements aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation.