Playworks

The mission of Playworks is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

In order to achieve its goals, Playworks focuses on five key areas. During Recess Time, the program coordinator works to engage children in inclusive and healthy play. Leadership Development is prioritized through the Playworks Junior Coach program. This program encourages teams of students to work together to learn fair play, games, and positive conflict resolution and to teach these skills to their classmates.

In between recesses, the program coordinator creates weekly schedules of Class Game Time activities. Children learn basic playground, sports, and cooperative games and receive lessons on physical health and fitness, as well as principals of violence prevention and safety. Interscholastic/Developmental Sports Leagues are created to build empathy and teamwork. And finally, Out-of-School Time Programs build play into the community by bringing children together before or after school.

The mission of Playworks is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

In 2009, Playworks was implemented in 170 urban schools in ten U.S. cities, reaching over 70,000 students. That same year, a survey of approximately 1,900 teachers and principals in Playworks schools was conducted. Of those surveyed, nine out of ten reported a decrease in the number of conflicts, the amount of class time spent resolving conflicts, and the number of disruptive events, while increases were reported in the level of participation with academic activities and cooperation with others during class.