Social and Emotional Learning

The MacArthur Foundation challenge drew over 1,904 applicants worldwide. See how play can change the world.

Using play to develop students’ social skills and improve positive school culture

Read excerpts from our application to the MacArthur Foundation's 100&Change competition

Twelve games to develop engaged citizens of the future.

This past June, the MacArthur Foundation announced a new funding opportunity called 100&Change: a $100 million prize ‘in pursuit of one good idea.’ As it did for many, the prize captured my imagination, particularly because of Playworks’ current ambitions. As many of you know, Playworks recently announced our AIM of ensuring safe and healthy play…

Schools out! Kids cheer! Parents groan. Playworks, a nonprofit devoted to improving children’s health and well-being through activity, wants to help ensure kids stay active this summer. Throughout the school year, Playworks uses recess in low-income elementary schools to encourage “meaningful play” through activity and a four-component program that focuses on social and emotional skills.…

Before coaches started organizing recess activities at more than a dozen city schools, small conflicts could escalate quickly. Arguing, shoving, kids egging on the drama, suspensions and later disruptions in class were common. “It was chaos,” said Jordan Knopp, a third-grade teacher at Siefert Elementary, 1547 N. 14th St. Today, Siefert’s recess discipline referrals are down,…

Research suggests that playground social skills predict future success.