Playworks Illinois
Playworks helps kids stay active and build valuable social and emotional skills through play.
About
All kids deserve the social, emotional, and physical benefits of play. We help schools and youth programs create healthy play environments where every child can join in.
Latest News
January 17, 2023
Program Spotlight: TeamUp ›
Playworks offers a variety of service options to best meet the needs of our partner schools and youth serving organizations. TeamUp is a service that combines direct service and consultative support to schools to help build school staff capacity. A Playworks Site Coordinator serves in a consultant role for their schools throughout the year, utilizing…
January 13, 2023
Mid-Year Impact Report ›
Playworks Illinois is excited to share our Mid-Year Impact Report with you! In this Impact Report you can find our impact numbers so far this year and our recent case study on our Junior Coach Leadership Program. Read it now! Impact Report
January 10, 2023
Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›
Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…
December 19, 2022
Building Skill Through Play: Managing Disappointment and Teaching Positive Body Language ›
It’s the holiday season! Schools and Playworks are counting down the days until winter break, but first we’re focusing on managing disappointment and teaching positive body language. We all know that it can be incredibly easy to get swept up in the negative emotions a disappointment brings because our expectations were not met. For kids,…
Upcoming Events
February 01, 2023
Get Groups Engaged Through Play ›
Keeping kids attention can be tough. Play-based practices can help. Join us as for webinar 3 of The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions…
A Better Recess
Instead of going back to class energized and ready to learn after recess, kids often return upset and unable to focus. We can change this. At a great recess:
Kids are at their best
Kids bring out the best in themselves and each other. They learn the value of fair play, compassion, and respect. They practice key social and emotional skills.
Kids become leaders
They run their own games and settle their disputes quickly (we recommend rock, paper, scissors) because getting along is more fun than fighting.
Kids choose to be active
When all students are included and all students know how to play popular games, every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of active play.
Contact Us
email: colleen.harvey@playworks.org
