The Power of Play in LA

In just the first two months of operations in Los Angeles, the impact the Playworks Program is having in our LA area schools is palpable. Coach Vania at Madison Elementary in Pasadena thrives on working with her students and educating them about healthy, inclusive play and building a community everyday.

One day during morning recess at Madison, Coach Vania was engaged with some students in a game of 4-square, and a disagreement broke out about whether the ball had hit the line or not.  One student was adamant that the ball had hit the line and that one of the other students was out, and the other student looked very confused. Just then, some of the kids yelled "She doesn't understand because she doesn't speak English!"  

Coach Vania looked at the girl who seemed confused and said "Esta bien! It's okay!"  She then explained to her in Spanish that there was a difference of opinion about whether the ball was in or out and she taught her "rock paper scissors" as a way to resolve the conflict.  Coach Vania taught her "rock paper scissors" first in Spanish and then in English and had the girl repeat it back in English.  Then, the little girl turned to her classmate and the two of them did "rock paper scissors" to resolve the conflict, and the little girl spoke her first words of English. In that moment, the confusion that was on her face was transformed to confidence and smiles! 

Coach Vania was so touched by that experience because it made it very real to her to see and feel the impact that the power of play is having here in Los Angeles by empowering that little girl to engage with her classmates with confidence in her new country and in a new language!