BACKGROUND
Playworks is the leading U.S. nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s social and emotional health. We partner with schools, districts, after-school programs, and other youth-serving organizations to ensure that kids experience physical activity and safe, meaningful play every day.
WHY WE PLAY
Research suggests that students who play develop healthier lifestyles, are more attentive in class, and achieve greater academic, social, and emotional success. Playworks offers simple, externally-validated strategies that are designed to get kids in the game and make playtime safe, inclusive, and fun for everyone.
THE IDEA
Calling all teachers, principals, school staff, and youth development professionals!
YOU have the power to be an active promoter of play, and Playworks is here to help.
Step 1) During your ChangeX 30 Day Challenge, you will take a short quiz to assess safety, engagement, and empowerment during playtime at your school or program. The results will help you develop your starter action plan!
Step 2) After ChangeX releases the funding for your idea, you and your starter team will receive access to SparkPlay, our brand-new online training platform. The subscription includes weekly email touchpoints showcasing curated games, activities, and helpful tips.
Step 3) Now it's time to connect with a Playworks expert! You and your starter team will receive customized, 1:1 consultation that will dive into evidence-based play practices and help you set realistic goals for improvement.
Step 4) Get the right equipment! You will use the funding you received from ChangeX to order supplies from the Playworks recommended equipment list.
Step 5) Little by little, you and your starter team will start implementing Playworks games and strategies at your school or program.
IMPACT
Small changes can make a big impact! After 6 months, you'll take another quiz to reassess your playtime to see if the games and play practices that you implemented have impacted safety, engagement, and empowerment.
CLICK "START PLAYWORKS" TO GET THE BALL ROLLING TODAY!
BACKGROUND
Playworks is the leading U.S. nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s social and emotional health. We partner with schools, districts, after-school programs, and other youth-serving organizations to ensure that kids experience physical activity and safe, meaningful play every day.
WHY WE PLAY
Research suggests that students who play develop healthier lifestyles, are more attentive in class, and achieve greater academic, social, and emotional success. Playworks offers simple, externally-validated strategies that are designed to get kids in the game and make playtime safe, inclusive, and fun for everyone.
THE IDEA
Calling all teachers, principals, school staff, and youth development professionals!
YOU have the power to be an active promoter of play, and Playworks is here to help.
Step 1) During your ChangeX 30 Day Challenge, you will take a short quiz to assess safety, engagement, and empowerment during playtime at your school or program. The results will help you develop your starter action plan!
Step 2) After ChangeX releases the funding for your idea, you and your starter team will receive access to SparkPlay, our brand-new online training platform. The subscription includes weekly email touchpoints showcasing curated games, activities, and helpful tips.
Step 3) Now it's time to connect with a Playworks expert! You and your starter team will receive customized, 1:1 consultation that will dive into evidence-based play practices and help you set realistic goals for improvement.
Step 4) Get the right equipment! You will use the funding you received from ChangeX to order supplies from the Playworks recommended equipment list.
Step 5) Little by little, you and your starter team will start implementing Playworks games and strategies at your school or program.
IMPACT
Small changes can make a big impact! After 6 months, you'll take another quiz to reassess your playtime to see if the games and play practices that you implemented have impacted safety, engagement, and empowerment.
CLICK "START PLAYWORKS" TO GET THE BALL ROLLING TODAY!
Playtimes have been enhanced with improved play, leading to better behaviour, fewer accidents, and happier children and staff.
There have been opportunities for children to have reponsibilities. Children have reported feeling safer, and behaviour in classrooms after lunch have also improved.
What are the characteristics of a successful recess?
• Collaborative play
• A range of engaging child-led activities
• Opportunities for children to resolve issues/differences with peer mediation
• Opportunities for brain break from classroom learning
• Children displaying confidence
What will it look like at your site?
• The playground would have various zones for children to access
• The resources are zones would be inviting, engaging and motivating
What steps will you need to take to get there?
• Train support staff and meal time supervisors to facilitate group games
• Engage in pupil conferencing to ascertain preferences
• Update parents on the developments (posters and newsletters)
• Oragnise and share information in assemblies
Who will take the lead?
• Lead meal time supervisor with the support of the learning mentor, deputy heads and phase leaders
What is the timeline?
• Conferencing and design ideas – October 2021
• Purchasing and labelling – November 2021
• Trialling initiatives – Jan 2022
• Evaluating the investment/new initiative – Feb 2022
What support is needed and how will you get it?
• Money/funding from Playworks to purchase phsyical equipment/resources for the playground (benches, stage, audio, skipping ropes, balls, bats etc.)
• Opportunity to see what good practice looks like in other similar settings
What are the characteristics of a successful recess?
• Collaborative play
• A range of engaging child-led activities
• Opportunities for children to resolve issues/differences with peer mediation
• Opportunities for brain break from classroom learning
• Children displaying confidence
What will it look like at your site?
• The playground would have various zones for children to access
• The resources are zones would be inviting, engaging and motivating
What steps will you need to take to get there?
• Train support staff and meal time supervisors to facilitate group games
• Engage in pupil conferencing to ascertain preferences
• Update parents on the developments (posters and newsletters)
• Oragnise and share information in assemblies
Who will take the lead?
• Lead meal time supervisor with the support of the learning mentor, deputy heads and phase leaders
What is the timeline?
• Conferencing and design ideas – October 2021
• Purchasing and labelling – November 2021
• Trialling initiatives – Jan 2022
• Evaluating the investment/new initiative – Feb 2022
What support is needed and how will you get it?
• Money/funding from Playworks to purchase phsyical equipment/resources for the playground (benches, stage, audio, skipping ropes, balls, bats etc.)
• Opportunity to see what good practice looks like in other similar settings