AIR Case Study: Playworks and the Science of Learning and Development

  1. Updates

Playworks is bringing the science of learning & development to life through the power of play.

All young people have the ability to become their best selves when provided the right experiences, context, and relationships. Play has the power to create those parameters. The American Institutes for Research shared a case study about how Playworks is leveraging the power of play to support whole child development.

The Science of Learning and Development is a cross-disciplinary body of knowledge that describes how people learn and develop. It also provides many powerful lessons that can transform education systems, advance equity, and help every young person thrive.

Learn more in the video above, or read the full case study in the link below.

Read the case study

More Updates


November 3, 2026

Investing in Attendance: How a Principal and a District Fund Play ›

Key takeaways: Belonging drives attendance. Chronic absenteeism at Chittick Elementary fell from 30% to 25% in one year, and Westside Union’s attendance rate reached 96.3%. Existing dollars can fund play,…

October 22, 2026

How Paying Attention to Recess Improves Student Attendance, and How to Fund It ›

Key Takeaways Belonging drives attendance. Kids show up where they feel they belong, and recess is where every kid can find it. A great recess has… Known games, simple norms,…

September 22, 2026

How Play Teaches Kids and Adults to Use Good Judgement ›

Any time kids play, they make dozens of small judgment calls they may not even notice. Sometimes this looks like settling a disputed call with rock, paper, scissors instead of…