Playworks Coach
In hundreds of schools around the country, our Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches are hard at work. Our high-energy, trained rock stars make the most of every minute to build a healthy school community through play.
Play provides an unparalleled opportunity to foster the physical, social, and emotional development of our kids. Since 1996, the Playworks Coach program has worked on-site with low-income schools, engineering a powerful system of play that is making a daily difference where it is most needed. With energy and imagination, high fives and hula hoops, Playworks builds play and physical activity into a positive school environment, offering opportunities throughout the entire day.
Service Options
Playworks Coach
Beginning before the first bell rings and continuing until well after the last has silenced, our full-time coaches help your school incorporate play and student leadership opportunities throughout the day.
Recess Time
Armed with balls, cones, jump ropes, and enthusiasm, Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches take to the blacktop or hardwood during recess, taking advantage of the amazing teaching and learning opportunities inherent in recess and bringing healthy, inclusive play that moves kids off the sidelines and engages them in the action.
Junior Coach Leadership
We build play into leadership through the Playworks Junior Coach Leadership Program, which encourages teams of students to work together to learn games, fair play, and positive conflict resolution strategies. Junior Coaches are then equipped to teach these skills and lessons appropriately to their classmates.
Class Game Time
Between recess bells, Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches establish a weekly schedule of class game time activities, providing an inclusive, consciously cooperative approach to introducing sports and physical activity to children. Kids learn basic sports, playground and cooperative games, lessons on physical health and fitness, and principles of violence prevention and safety.
Interscholastic/Developmental Sports Leagues
Playworks builds empathy and teamwork through our interscholastic/developmental sports leagues, which teach students the skills of games like basketball, volleyball, and soccer. In many cases, these Playworks leagues provide opportunities that students may not otherwise have.
Part-Time Coach (New)
By modeling effective recess systems and supporting student leadership, a part-time coach from your community supports safe, healthy play at your school.
Recess Time
Armed with balls, cones, jump ropes, and enthusiasm, Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches take to the blacktop or hardwood during recess, taking advantage of the amazing teaching and learning opportunities inherent in recess and bringing healthy, inclusive play that moves kids off the sidelines and engages them in the action.
Junior Coach Leadership
We build play into leadership through the Playworks Junior Coach Leadership Program, which encourages teams of students to work together to learn games, fair play, and positive conflict resolution strategies. Junior Coaches are then equipped to teach these skills and lessons appropriately to their classmates.
Stories
December 19, 2017
RAND Review: Playworks Stands Out Among SEL Interventions ›
A new review conducted by RAND Corporation and commissioned by The Wallace Foundation found that Playworks stands out among social and emotional learning (SEL) programs for evidence of impact. The RAND Corporation review found that the Playworks Coach service is…
September 27, 2017
New Attendance Report Highlights Playworks ›
Loma Linda Elementary reduced their chronic absence rate from 12% to 4%. The first step? Making sure that students felt safe at school, both physically and emotionally. “Portraits of Change: Aligning School and Community Resources to Reduce Chronic Absence,” a new…
February 3, 2016
Not-So-Junior Coach Matthew ›
When Playworks—then Sports4Kids—coach Max Langaard arrived at Manzanita school, Matthew Bailey was a shy third-grader. At home, he’d try to stay out of everyone’s way, and at school, he rarely spoke up during class. But Coach Max saw him differently. He saw leadership potential…
Explore Our Services
Onsite Coaches
Create a culture of play before, during, and after school every day with a skilled Playworks Coach.
Consultative Support
Equip your recess team through on-site support and modeling during the school day.
Staff Training
Sharpen play facilitation skills with professional development for your staff.
Online Learning
Experience the power of play with bite-sized online courses or subscribe to weekly, curated content.