Reports

Between Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, Playworks collaborated with Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) to collect data across 8 regions involving 710 4th and 5th graders in schools offering both Playworks’ Coach program and Playworks’ TeamUp program. Junior Coaches completed the Holistic Student Assessment (HSAR) Retrospective Self-Change (RSC) survey which measures 14 social and…

High quality recess contributes to the executive function, emotional self-control, resilience, and positive classroom behavior in elementary school children.  Citation: Massey WV, Thalken J, Szarabajko A, Neilson L, Geldhof, J. Recess quality and social and behavioral health in elemetnary school studtns. J Sch Health. 2021; DOI: 10.1111/josh.13065 Background  Over the past decade much attention has…

This study examined adults’ memories of their recess experience and how they are associated with various aspects of adulthood, such as social isolation, meaning, and purposes, physical activity enjoyment. Key findings included: Memories of recess exclusion were associated with social isolation in adulthood. Memories of recess enjoyment were associated with meaning and purpose in adulthood.…

A recent study on the connection between recess quality and student behavior found that the quality of recess contributed to student’s executive function, emotional self-control, resilience, and positive classroom behavior. This is a critical study that helps move beyond an examination of benefits related to the amount of recess time and instead focuses on the…

Based on the evidence obtained from the authors’ investigation with Playworks participants and coaches, five strategies were identified for health and physical education practitioners to consider in the implementation of school programs focused on increased PA, play, and social-emotional development. An emphasis on two critical factors for successful intervention — the need for holistic programming…

This study established initial evidence for a valid and reliable assessment tool to observe school recess environments with a specific focus on safety, resources, student engagement, adult engagement, pro-social/anti-social behavior, and student empowerment. Use of the Great Recess Framework-Observational Tool can inspire evaluation, and subsequent intervention, to strategically create consistent, appropriate, and engaging school recess…

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 review found that the Playworks Coach service is one of only seven elementary school SEL interventions to meet the highest criteria for evidence of impact…

Urban youth face more barriers to physical activity outside of the school day. Results from this study suggest that youth have the ability to be change makers in the school setting, influencing the school culture in positive ways by reducing bullying, role modeling for younger students and teaching conflict resolution. Not only are youth capable…

Results from this study provide evidence that school recess can be used to teach social–emotional competencies that can impact student behavior during recess and in the classroom. There were an increased amount of positive interactions between adults and students and a decreased amount of conflict in the playground at Playworks schools post intervention. Results also…