- Arguments Can Be Solved By Rock-Paper-Scissors. When I was told that we would solve problems using this simple game, I agreed to enforce it, but I didn’t think it would work. Yet, on playground I saw it being effective over and over. I saw how students respected the outcome, and instead of arguing, they kept playing and took advantage of their time. As adults, I think we could learn to keep playing and focus on the positive.
- A Little Positivity Goes A Long Way. As an intern, it was my job to have a positive attitude and encourage the same in the students. Unexpectedly, this positivity would transferred to the rest of my life. It was great practice both for days I worked with kids and every other day.
- Anyone Can Be An All-Star. Not everyone can be the best football player, or the best at tetherball, but I learned the importance of finding what individuals do well and encouraging that. By noticing out loud to a child who dribbles well, listens well, or plays a sport well, s/he began to see their good qualities on their own and becomes more confident. I started to use this in my everyday life with friends and found it would brighten their day and improve their confidence as well.
- Play Is Good For The Grades. I interned with Playworks the last semester of my senior year of college. Not surprisingly, it was a stressful time. However, I found that interning twice a week helped reduce my stress level and helped me understand how important recess and small breaks are for both kids and adults. These opportunities to release energy weren’t a distraction, as it may have seemed, but actually helped the kids (and myself) to focus when returning to their studies.
- It’s Okay to Be A Little Goofy. Probably the most important thing that Playworks and the children I worked with taught me was that it’s okay to let loose, have fun, and just be a little goofy sometimes. When playing games with kids, you really can’t be serious and poised, you have to let go of all that in order to have fun. Setting even a little bit of time aside each day to be goofy and have fun helps the rest of the day be more positive.
Five Things I Learned Interning At Playworks
Guest blogger Samantha Gonzalez shares how her play internship helped her life and work.
More Stories of Play
Developing leaders on and off the playground ›
Before Playworks came to Gustavo’s school, he says recess was bland with just three options for how to spend the time. After Playworks came, there were actual games, regulations for…
The Difference a Caring Adult Makes in the City of Good Neighbors ›
“Schools are going weeks without hearing from kids. Calling it a tragedy doesn’t do it justice. Even if kids are safe, they’re still lost kids because they aren’t connected,” Tyler…
Recess is Necessary ›
Researchers agree: it’s important to prioritize recess in how schools approach re-opening. The research community has come together to establish the Global Recess Alliance in an effort to bring attention…
Stories from the Playground: Coach Hoops ›
It’s not every day that a Playworks #AmeriCorps Coach is honored by the Los Angeles Lakers, complete with a basketball clinic hosted by legendary forward A.C. Green. Then again, being…