{"id":3389,"date":"2024-09-20T08:26:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T12:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/new-york-new-jersey\/2024\/09\/20\/adapting-play-for-varying-abilities\/"},"modified":"2025-02-21T18:10:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T23:10:03","slug":"adapting-play-for-varying-abilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/new-york-new-jersey\/2024\/09\/20\/adapting-play-for-varying-abilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Adapting Play for Varying Abilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 5th grade student had Brittle Bone Disease, a rare condition where his bones are fragile and prone to fracture. In his four years at the elementary school, he had never been included in play. He would go outside during recess but he never tossed a ball, never went down the slide, never participated in a game of tag, so he never got to benefit from connecting with his peers or adults at school through play. \u201cThe school knew and loved this kid and didn\u2019t want him to get hurt,\u201d said former Playworks trainer Lynn Debilzen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"And then they partnered with Playworks.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lynn arrived for a Consultative Visit, a professional development service during which Playworks experts observe recess or playtime and utilize our years of expertise to build an action plan. These plans provide schools with strategies to implement to sustain a positive culture of play alongside a school or organization\u2019s leadership and team. Lynn was eager to understand some of the school\u2019s unique challenges, including how to make play possible for every student. \u201cThe teachers were thinking of options to involve that student. I was able to send the school ideas.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Across the country, kids with varying abilities are excluded from play at a higher rate than their peers. They risk missing out on the many benefits of play. Playworks is trying to change that. As the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid, we see how important it is to help provide some strategies and practices that can help get all kids into the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lynn saw the impact this type of intentionality can make. The school implemented some of her ideas with the student\u2019s buy-in. \u201cWhen I went back to the school a few weeks later, I got to see that student playing,\u201d said Lynn. \u201cHe had that entire experience transformed. We were able to build enough confidence and safeguards where we could build a space where all kids can play.\u201d This student, teachers, and peers, all saw what a difference including this one boy could make in their school community.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do you work with students? Here are some of Playworks\u2019 best tips:<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"Questions to ask<\/b><\/h4>\n

In order to figure out how to <\/span>modify the games, playspace, or norms<\/b> to make play available for all kids, start by asking some critical questions about how recess is currently operating and what the goals are for the future:<\/span><\/p>\n