Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’

  1. Updates

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 who have worked with Playworks to identify the 20 small steps that lead to big change.

In her new book Why Play Works, you’ll hear their stories, understand the changes made through play, and learn what you need to know to create a similar impact. The book also covers the intersectionality between play and racial equity, gender equity, science and play theory, and more.

 

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Interested in having Jill attend your employee engagement event?Jill Vialet headshot

Jill will be participating in remote and in-person events, facilitating discussions and leading play-based activities.  Contact us

 

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…

March 25, 2021

Top 6 Games to Play Physically Distant with No Equipment ›

As more and more schools transition back to in-person learning, we know educators are looking for games that are physically-distant and don’t require equipment. The need for play is more important than ever due to the isolation that our kids have endured during COVID-19. Play encourages creativity, flexibility, teamwork, and other critical social skills. We’ve…