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
August 29, 2022
Playworks Illinois 2021-2022 Impact Report ›
For the last 10 years, Playworks Illinois has given kids foundational skills for success on the playground, in the classroom, and in the community. We are the leading organization that leverages play to promote healthy behaviors and increase social and emotional learning, at recess and throughout the school day. Last school year alone, Playworks Illinois…
July 28, 2022
A year of social and emotional learning ›
“You can’t do SEL, trauma, or equity work without each other,” Jennette Claassen, Head of Evaluation, Playworks. As Playworks continued to progress on our equity journey, we explored a critical question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…
June 22, 2022
2022 Kickball Tournament ›
On Saturday, June 11, Playworks Illinois held our 9th Annual Kickball Tournament. The tournament was such a fun first event back after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our teams gave it their all, but ultimately there could be only one Golden Kickball Trophy winner. This year we had 4 teams including West Monroe Partners, Twelve Consulting Group,…
August 24, 2021
Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’ ›
Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…
Upcoming Events
October 06, 2022
5 Ways to Have a Great Recess Webinar ›
Big changes start small. Join us as we kick-off The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of…
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
