Updates


September 3, 2020
How Equity, Trauma, and Play Intersect ›
The play opportunity gap Play is critical for healthy child development as it is a safe way for kids to experiment and practice building relationships and cooperating with others. And yet, even in normal circumstances before COVID-19, there wasn’t an equal opportunity for every kid to play. We need to make sure this disparity does…


August 14, 2020
Playful Ways to Build Relationships in 2020 ›
Rapport building is always key to a successful, engaging school year. When kids feel safe, empowered, and cared for, they are more likely to attend school, lean into their education, and develop critical social and emotional skills. This year, students around the country are going to school virtually, in-person with potential virtual experiences during COVID…


July 17, 2020
Prioritize a trauma-sensitive approach for the 2020-21 school year ›
Playworks believes in a trauma-sensitive approach Educators should focus on providing a trauma-sensitive approach to the reopening of school. Students are all having different experiences right now. For some students, the shutdown of schools due to COVID has provided them with a welcome reprieve from toxic situations or stressors. For others, it has created an…


July 16, 2020
Safe Return to Play & Recess Guidelines ›
Playworks is helping schools continue to reimagine recess. For the past 24 years, Playworks has partnered with elementary schools to help kids stay active and build valuable social-emotional skills through play. As schools prepare re-opening plans, we want to help provide resources for implementing both in-school and virtual play or recess experiences. We developed Recess…


July 10, 2020
Playworks Partners with The WNET Group on Camp TV ›
Premiering Nationwide on Public Television Beginning July 13 Playworks announced a content partnership with The WNET Group’s Camp TV, a new one-hour public television series that brings the day camp experience to children nationwide weekdays beginning Monday, July 13 on public television (check local listings). In the New York metro area, Camp TV premieres Monday,…


July 8, 2020
Play at Home: Go for a Walk Games ›
Explore your neighborhood in a new way. Summer trips may be closer to home this year, or might just include a lot of exploring your neighborhood. Simply taking a walk is not only great exercise but also a fun way to discover the little details that we all may overlook in the hustle and bustle…


June 19, 2020
Celebrating Our Supporters ›
Thanks to these corporate partners and supporters for being champions in helping Playworks through the challenges we have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. With their help, we have been working to bring safe and healthy play to kids, and to adapt our programs to meet the evolving needs of our schools, educators, and children. “While…


June 9, 2020
Play At Home: Week of June 15, 2020 ›
Social-Emotional Skill of the Week: Decision Making & Problem Solving Responsible Decision Making is the ability to make good decisions. Resources for the Week of June 15, 2020 Game of the Day Challenge Are you ready to #PlayAtHome? We are challenging students and families to learn and play one new game each day! This week’s…


May 27, 2020
Play At Home: Week of June 1, 2020 ›
Social-Emotional Skill of the Week: Social Awareness & Perspective Taking Perspective-taking is the ability to see a situation from the viewpoint of another person–understanding their feelings, intentions, thoughts, or view of a particular situation. Resources for the Week of June 1, 2020 Game of the Day Challenge Are you ready to #PlayAtHome? We are challenging…


May 20, 2020
Play At Home: Week of May 25, 2020 ›
Social-Emotional Skill of the Week: Social Awareness Social awareness is the ability to empathize with and understand the perspective of someone else, even though their background and culture might be different from yours. Resources for the Week of May 25, 2020 Game of the Day Challenge Are you ready to #PlayAtHome? We are challenging students…