In the News

Houston Chronicle

May 8, 2010

Teaching kids how to play ›

Program brings structure to recess Five-year-old Timaria Sanders helps lead her kindergarten class in a chicken walk with Bill Vanark, a program director with Playworks, at North Forest's Lakewood Elementary…

Philadelphia Daily News

May 7, 2010

Recess coaches help kids play, and that helps them to learn ›

Program in 9 schools shows promise, but kids out-of-shapeBy DAFNEY TALESPhiladelphia Daily News Fourth-graders at the William Dick School, in North Philly, listened intently yesterday as they learned the rules…

Star-Tribune

May 3, 2010

St. Paul schools rethinking how kids do recess ›

Nonprofit demonstrates games that combine exertion and learning. Back in the day, recess on the playground was the time for boys to be boys and the fainthearted to step aside.…

Portland Public Schools

April 30, 2010

Playworks at PPS – Video Pulse ›

In an effort to maximize play time and minimize disputes, Portland Public Schools has partnered with Playworks, a nationwide nonprofit that provides play coaches to low income schools. See how…

Oregonlive.com

April 27, 2010

Playworks sets up its ‘recess coaches’ program in Portland ›

An Omamas reader recently alerted us to a New York Times article on “recess coaches” who help kids structure their recess time positively, without bullying or other conflict. The reader,…

kids playing with basketballs
kids playing with basketballs

Colorado Education News

April 16, 2010

“Recess” Coaches May Help Classroom Work ›

Recess went better at Denver’s Swansea Elementary School last week than any week Principal Mary Sours can remember in the past ten years. Kids were running instead of standing against…

New York Times

March 27, 2010

At Schools, Playtime is Over ›

RECESS is no longer child’s play. Schools around the country, concerned about bullying and arguments over the use of the equipment, are increasingly hiring “recess coaches” to oversee students’ free…

New York Times

March 13, 2010

Forget Goofing Around: Recess Has a New Boss ›

The New York Times looks at Newark's Broadway Elementary. The school is one of a growing number across the country that are reining in recess to curb bullying and behavior…

The Baltimore Sun

March 2, 2010

Letting kids play pays off ›

Dajah Jones' bead-accented braids sprayed through the air as she fell to the ground after colliding with Harlem Park School classmate Dorion Cook. The two sixth graders were among a…