Free resources to help school staff encourage active learning

  1. Updates

Active and healthy play helps students develop self-control, build social skills, and get the “brain break” needed for academic success. A report from the Institute of Medicine found that children who are more active “show greater attention, have faster cognitive processing speed, and perform better on standardized academic tests than children who are less active.”

Schools with a healthy culture of play see fewer fights, fewer injuries, and fewer trips to the principal’s office—and students come back to class ready to learn.

Playworks works with elementary schools across the country to make their recesses safe, fun, and active.  With 20 years of experience working with elementary schools, Playworks has opened up its playbook and launched Recess Lab—a project to help principals, teachers, and kids re-discover the power of play.

Recess Lab offers free tools like the Recess Checkup—a three-minute online quiz designed to help principals and teachers identify strengths and uncover areas for improvement, and understand what’s really happening in a play space. The Checkup is open to principals and teachers at eligible public schools around the country.

School staff can also visit recesslab.org to discover playground solutions that are right for their school. They will find proven tips, games, and ideas for important school pain points such as:

  • Focusing attention
  • Building teamwork
  • Improving transitions
  • Teaching conflict-resolution skills

From test scores to school culture, from safety to inclusion, today’s elementary schools have several important priorities. But at many schools, recess is an overlooked opportunity for accomplishing these goals. Recess can be a time for children to gain the experiences that prepare them for success in and out of the classroom and the free resources at Recess Lab can pave the way.

 

More Updates


New England AmeriCorps Coaches
New England AmeriCorps Coaches

March 13, 2023

AmeriCorps Week 2023 ›

Join us in saying #AmeriThanks to our Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches! During #AmeriCorpsWeek, we are sending out giant Whoosh Claps to our 56 AmeriCorps Members completing their service year with Playworks. These Coaches are working in schools in 7 regions, impacting 31,791 kids each and every day. “For the kids and the future of our youth…

January 19, 2023

Introducing New Members of Playworks Board of Directors ›

Playworks is thrilled to welcome five new members to our National Board of Directors. Each brings a unique set of talents and perspective that will support Playworks’ mission. The individuals who joined the Playworks Board in December 2022 and January 2023 are: Leslie Boissiere Vice President, External Affairs Annie E. Casey Foundation Leslie oversees the Annie…

kids playing catch
kids playing catch

January 10, 2023

Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›

Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…