Journal of School Health Confirms the Postive Impact of Playworks

  1. Updates

This study found that Playworks led to a fundamental positive shift in school climate in the short time frame of one school year. The study also noted that a positive school climate has been linked to a host of favorable student outcomes, from attendance to achievement.

In highlighting the crucial importance of a high-functioning recess, the study comments:

"The free play and physical activity associated with recess are key inputs to both learning and a well-behaved classroom. Play itself is so critical for children’s healthy development that it has been recognized by the United Nations as a right of every child and by the American Academy of Pediatrics as an essential part of children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being, especially for those who are economically disadvantaged."

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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…