At Playworks Southern California, we believe that play is transformational. It’s a powerful tool for connection, leadership, and learning.
Our team demonstrated that at our recent PlayShop at Jefferson Elementary in Paramount Unified School District, where educators, administrators, and youth program staff from across the region gathered to experience firsthand how Playworks transforms school culture through safe and inviting play.
What is a PlayShop?
PlayShops are immersive professional development experiences designed to empower adults with practical strategies to facilitate inviting games, manage energetic groups, and promote positive youth development. They’re a key offering of Playworks Pro, our training and consulting service that brings our proven practices to schools and organizations beyond our direct service sites.
The PlayShop at Jefferson was no exception. It was a morning full of energy, meaningful conversations, and unforgettable moments that illustrated the heart of our work.
Special thanks to the leadership and community at Jefferson Elementary and Paramount Unified for hosting us and modeling what’s possible when schools invest in safe and healthy play.
Junior Coaches Leading the Way
One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was watching Junior Coaches and our Regional Trainer (RT) co-lead a game with attendees. These young leaders, trained through Playworks’ Junior Coach Leadership Program, demonstrated confidence and enthusiasm as they facilitated group play with adult participants. Their poise and presence served as a living example of how structured play empowers students to lead, collaborate, and build critical life skills.
Attendees were impressed by the Junior Coaches’ leadership and how the games were introduced, transitioned, and wrapped up with clarity, care, and full group participation. It was a testament to how structure, leadership modeling, and teamwork can create a more active and respectful space for everyone.
Joy and Community in Every Moment
The excitement wasn’t limited to only playing games. A particularly joyful moment came when a staff member from the Boys & Girls Club of Huntington Valley won a fully stocked recess kit during the raffle. Her surprise and gratitude lit up the room. She shared how excited she was to take the new materials back to her program and use them with her students.
We also welcomed visitors from nearby districts, including Lupe Lolesio-Pua, the Dean of Students from Ramona Elementary in the Hawthorne School District. She shared how impressed she was by the clear organization of the recess activities and the way students played with structure, purpose, and shared roles. She noted how adults were clearly engaged and actively supporting play, helping create a smooth and positive experience.
This kind of feedback fuels our work and reminds us that our programs can create real impact for students and staff alike.
Recess in Action
One of the most memorable parts of the PlayShop was the live recess observation, where attendees watched our program in action during the school day. Before heading outside, guests heard a powerful message from the Principal of Jefferson Elementary, who shared how the Playworks approach has helped transform recess on campus. She described changes in how students interact, how adults engage, and how the playground has become a space for students to connect, move, and thrive.
During recess, visitors observed a wide range of games happening at once, all organized into clear zones and supported by trained staff and student leaders. They watched students solve minor conflicts quickly and fairly, keep games going with enthusiasm, and participate with visible energy and care for one another.
Guests asked insightful questions about what they saw, and many expressed interest in bringing Playworks back to their own campuses.
What Makes a PlayShop So Effective?
PlayShops are designed to showcase the power of play. We aim to make them fun, memorable, and immediately useful.
Instead of long lectures, we keep things moving, interactive, and rooted in real-life examples. Participants leave with:
- Tools to run welcoming and active games
- Strategies for group management that work in real time
- Ideas for improving transitions, routines, and energy on the playground
- Confidence to lead and model positive play
- And most importantly—a sense of what’s possible when students feel seen, supported, and included in daily play
These events aren’t just about teaching games—they’re about showing how simple shifts in recess routines and structure can lead to better outcomes for students and staff.
Planting Seeds for the Future
The Jefferson PlayShop wasn’t just a one-day event—it was the start of new conversations and potential partnerships. We connected with staff from other schools, sparked new ideas, and heard genuine interest from leaders like Lupe, who are looking for ways to build more active and supportive school communities.
As one guest put it, “You don’t just hear about the benefits—you get to see them, feel them, and be part of it.”
With the enthusiasm we saw at Jefferson and the interest from other schools, we’re excited for what’s ahead.
Let’s Keep Playing
To our team, to Jefferson Elementary, and to every guest who attended—thank you. You brought your curiosity, your energy, and your heart to the experience, and it made a difference.
Interested in bringing a PlayShop to your school, organization, or youth program? Learn more about Playworks Pro and how we can bring training, energy, and support directly to your team.
Together, we can build school days that are more active, more inviting, and more joyful—one game at a time.
