Playworks

Playworks Blog


Why Play Matters
View studies on how play helps kids both in school and in their lives.
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National Gallup Poll: Principals link recess to academic achievement
The State of Play
A new, first-of-its-kind Gallup poll reveals that elementary school principals overwhelmingly believe recess has a positive impact not only on the development of students’ social skills, but also on achievement and learning in the classroom.
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Recess improves behavior in the classroom.
School Recess and Group Classroom Behavior
Children in urban, low-income schools are less likely to have recess than students in other schools. Teachers cite improved behavior in the classroom when students have recess.
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The best opportunity to increase physical activity is at recess.
Recess Rules!
Recess is the single biggest opportunity to raise the level of physical activity for all children, yet those who come from minority or low-income families are being shortchanged when it comes to recess time.
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Best Practices for Supporting Play
Play Matters
In municipalities across America, engaged citizens and civic leaders are actively seeking innovative ways to improve the accessibility, quality, and quantity of play and play spaces for children. To help cities build awareness and develop a policy on play, KaBOOM! identified 12 relevant and innovative best practices in play. Playworks Baltimore is cited as one example. Read the full Play Matters report.
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Playworks’ schools report fewer fights on the playground.
Ohrenberger Elementary School in Boston
Playworks’ program increased student focus and participation in class, and principals and teachers reported fewer fights on the playground.
Where We Are
For many elementary school principals, recess is the toughest part of the day. That's when all the trouble starts — the teasing, fighting, bullying, injuries, referrals and suspensions. This...








