Happier schools

  1. Updates
  2. Building Community
  3. Happy Kids

Using play to develop students’ social skills and improve positive school culture

Happy schools support student learning. In order to create happy schools, we must consider how to create an environment where kids want to attend, participate, and succeed. By focusing on improving recess, Playworks is able to do just that.

“Playworks has enabled us to have more laughter and less fear, more players and less spectators, more encouragement and less put-downs, more order and less chaos, and more confidence and less uncertainty. Above all, Playworks has brought us less frowns and more smiles,” said Principal Michael Aaronian at Lupine Hills Elementary School in California.

study, conducted by researchers at Stanford University, found that Playworks led to a fundamental positive shift in community building in just one school year. The study also noted that a positive atmosphere has been linked to a host of favorable student outcomes, from attendance to achievement.

Playworks strengthens the skill development of children by including and engaging every child in play. Our programming also restores valuable teaching time and increases physical activity, contributing to an environment that is conducive for youth to thrive.

More Updates


April 14, 2026

From Missed Shots to Big Wins: How Play Builds Perseverance ›

Picture this:  The ball is coming your way. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Your teammates are watching. The game is on the line. You take the shot……

April 1, 2026

7 School-Based Strategies That Improve Attendance and Reduce Chronic Absenteeism ›

Attendance Is Shaped by the School Experience Chronic absenteeism is one of the toughest challenges K-12 schools are working to solve. While attendance is tracked closely and tied to accountability,…

child jumping rope
child jumping rope

March 25, 2026

The Importance of Play for Building Teamwork ›

On the playground, teamwork is active. It’s messy. It’s constantly being tested and rebuilt in real time. And at Playworks, we know something important: Teamwork isn’t just something to be…