In the News

Recess is a critical time for children, a time for play that can benefit both their behavior and academics. But it isn’t joyful for all children. Playworks’ Laura Medina Quintanar shares how schools can work to ensure that recess is a fun, inclusive environment for all students.

Manistee Area Public Schools has implemented a new program in order to help students learn to better interact with one another on the heels of the coronavirus pandemic necessitating cohorting and isolation for the past two school years…Joanie Wiersma, Kennedy Elementary School principal, discussed how the use of facilitated, structured play is helping cut down…

Playworks was featured in a recent BBC segment. This episode of The Compass’ ‘Why We Play’ series explored the role of play in “building our understanding of our surroundings, culture and even ourselves” and visited a Playworks partner school to explore how we’re using play to teach skills such as conflict resolution and leadership.

Recess quality matters. A high-quality recess can help kids have fun and laugh, feel included, and develop social, emotional, and physical skills. The Today Show highlights why quality play matters to kids right now in this powerful segment featuring Playworks and our partners.

As schools plan for the 2021-22 school year, recess must be valued as a critical part of the school day. Research supports the physical, social, and emotional benefits kids get from play. Playworks partnered with Brookings to share how to play in a COVID-safe way.

Playworks was featured in this article in the Journal of School Health (JOSH) about the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. The article’s findings highlight the key role all adults in the school building play in physical education and physical activity, not just those directly responsible for recess.

With the hardships resulting from the pandemic, and the long term effects of the isolation, stress, and trauma on kids, many wonder what we can do to help kids heal and reconnect. Our answer? Play. Learn more about why kids need play, the role of play in learning, and how to play during a pandemic…

Matthew Bailey is a Playworks coach at Manzanita Community Elementary School, the same school he attended as a kid. Playworks is a nonprofit organization that works to help schools and youth programs across the U.S. create recess and play environments. “I want them knowing that they have an African-American role model or someone to look…

At first glance, it looks like your standard recess at Eliza Chappell Elementary School.  But upon closer inspection, what is happening outside during recess is in fact rather unusual. Every student is occupied with one activity or another—even those on the jungle gym. The games are clear, organized and inclusive. And a specially trained coach…