Coach Matt Combats Four Square Fears

  1. Updates

“There is a third-grader at my school that loves to play four square. In fact, she plays it almost every recess. This, however, was not always the case. You see, three weeks ago this same little girl was standing five feet behind the four square line with a rather intense look on her face.  Obviously, there was something that kept her from making her own quest towards the elusive 'A' square, so I approached this young lady. I asked if she wanted to join, but after one step towards the game she stopped, put her palms to her face, and began to cry, 'it's too hard.' I pleaded with her just to try but my words were met with denial.

The next day as soon as she got on the yard she ran over to find me. We talked about the rules, practiced a little two square and then made our journey to the four square line. I explained to the other students (the veterans of our playground) that this was her first time playing and that I would be her partner for the game. Then the other students did something remarkable: they started to go over all the rules of four square, how we roshambo to end a dispute, and they even showed her how to hit the ball. When it was finally time for us to start our game, they all made sure the first time was practice so that she could have a chance to hit the ball a couple times without fear of getting 'out.'

She was still studious of the game, but now without the glare in her eyes. She was still hesitant with her hits, but she was not afraid to try. She still had rules that she needed to be reminded of, but that was now a hurdle instead of a wall. Now, three weeks later, she runs over to the four square line.”

-Coach Matt, Paul Revere Elementary

More Updates


January 12, 2023

Golden State Warriors Community Foundation & Salesforce partner with Playworks ›

We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Warriors Community Foundation and Salesforce during the 2022-2023 school year. With their support, Playworks Northern California has delivered safe and healthy play to over 41,200 elementary school children of promise this year! Check out this inspiring video showcasing our work together:      

A boy and girl holding basketballs on a playground.
A boy and girl holding basketballs on a playground.

November 16, 2022

2021-22 Annual Report ›

We are excited to share with you a look back at everything we accomplished in the 2021-2022 program year. It was a year focused on rebuilding after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are proud to share that we served 41,200 students in the Northern California Region.  We are thankful for your continued…

three people with Playworks shirts
three people with Playworks shirts

July 28, 2022

A year of social and emotional learning ›

“You can’t do SEL, trauma, or equity work without each other,” Jennette Claassen, Head of Evaluation, Playworks. As Playworks continued to progress on our equity journey, we explored a critical question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…