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


June 17, 2026

Building Respect, One Game at a Time ›

Respect is the foundation of healthy relationships, strong communities, and positive learning environments. Yet it isn’t a skill children develop simply because adults tell them it’s important. Like teamwork and…

June 10, 2026

Kick It Into Play: 6 Soccer Games Kids Will Love ›

The World Cup is one of the few events that brings together people from nearly every corner of the globe. As teams take the pitch this summer, they represent a…

May 19, 2026

Why Reflection is the Secret Ingredient to Impactful Play ›

As the school year winds down, many educators and program staff are asking the same questions: What worked, what didn’t, and what should we do differently next year? It’s an…