Updates

It’s cool to be kind! In recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, Playworks and it’s campaign, Real Players Don’t Bully has partnered with Google and it’s program, Be Internet Awesome to show kids the importance of practicing kindness and inclusion to prevent bullying.   This issue is important to kids and teachers alike. Teachers report that…

It can be hard to understand the impact that your play space has on your school’s culture and your students’ experience, and while there are a lot of solutions worth trying, it’s tough to know what’s working and what’s not. Recess Lab is designed to help more principals, teachers, and students discover the power of…

Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewed evidence of the Playworks Coach program and found that the program met the criteria for a Promising Program intended to improve school attendance.  The DOJ invests in reviewing research that shows programs positively impact attendance because higher rates of kids attending school “prevents or reduce crime, delinquency, or…

Keeping the attention of energetic kids is challenging. But, it’s also an opportunity to build relationships and have some fun. Take a proactive approach to group management with these tips: Get creative with secret handshakes One-on-one conversations, silly claps, cheers, get-to-know-you games, and compliments are great ways to build rapport and mutual respect. Consider learning…

“Teach Me How To Play” Day with Allianz Life Allianz Life employees have joined Playworks Minnesota in numerous give-back events. At Earle Brown Elementary, Allianz Life employees volunteered for a Play Day of encouragement, role modeling, and kickball. Thank you Allianz Life for your ongoing partnership and support in making such a positive impact on the lives of students…

Pahara-Aspen Fellow Jill Vialet founded Playworks on the theory that, through valuable play, kids learn to make friends, solve problems, and believe in themselves, every day. At last year’s Action Forum, Jill made the audacious Action Pledge above to propel the importance play forward. In this video, Jill shares the progress Playworks has made so…

Springtime, with all its fanfare, is often a time of escalating conflicts. Students are antsy from a long winter of learning, and their classmates are now more like annoying siblings than playful friends. The key to making the spring season a success is to teach students how to resolve conflicts appropriately—that means using their words and…

It can be hard to understand the impact that your play space has on your school’s culture and your students’ experience, and while there are a lot of solutions worth trying, it’s tough to know what’s working and what’s not. Recess Lab is designed to help more principals, teachers, and students discover the power of play. Explore…

Twenty-eight Values Champions, employees who are ambassadors of TCO’s culture and exemplify the organization’s values, teamed up with Playworks to teach students the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at recess. Students learned inclusive games and team-building activities in a classroom setting, and participated in a recess period with volunteers to practice what they learned…