Champion of Play – Yvette

  1. Updates

Meet Yvette. An energetic and enthusiastic advocate of play, she can usually be found on the recess yard playing the tag game of the week. She represents the best example of the Playworks philosophy in action. She is kind, patient, and compassionate with the kids – and understands the importance of ensuring every child has the opportunity to have fun. As a noontime aid, she is one of the few individuals who sees every child in the school every day and has been crucial to the success of our programs at Sheppard Elementary. As a mother of three, including one of our all-star Junior Coaches, she is a great asset to our school and community.

More Updates


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…

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…

August 24, 2021

Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’ ›

Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…