Pennsylvania Legislators Play to Prevent Bullying

“A well-rounded childhood is when a child has everything they need to learn and live in a respectful safe way,” Junior Coach Nafis explains to legislators and staffers at the Pennsylvania Capitol today. Junior Coach Nafis shared firsthand experience of how a safe and inclusive playground can still be fun!

State and community representatives put their political differences aside to play recess games together with Playworks Pennsylvania inside of the State Capitol to promote kindness and inclusion as a part of Playworks’ Real Players Don’t Bully campaign.

During the event, State Representatives Jared Solomon spoke about why bullying is an issue that must be addressed. Ivy Olesh, Playworks Pennsylvania Executive Director, spoke about the importance of treating others with empathy and respect to be successful and how together we can stop bullying before it starts. Playworks Junior Coach Nafis shared his experience of being bullied on the playground and how he is leading his peers by example to be more kind.

The event kicked off Playworks’ Real Players Don’t Bully Campaign which aims to prevent bullying and increase inclusion at elementary schools by empowering kids to be more empathetic and kind to one another. The campaign is supported by Google’s Be Internet Awesome, which promotes being kind online.

More than 70 percent of young people report feeling left out or bullied at school each year. Every child deserves the opportunity to experience safe and healthy play every day.


Help more kids like Nafis enjoy a well-rounded childhood.

Donate today


   


We had a great time playing with you all! @donnabullock195, @RepMcClinton, @RepRabb, @RepJaredSolomon, @Ed_Neilson

More Stories of Play


kids and adults on tv set
kids and adults on tv set

Developing leaders on and off the playground ›

Before Playworks came to Gustavo’s school, he says recess was bland with just three options for how to spend the time. After Playworks came, there were actual games, regulations for games to make them consistent, a lot less harassment of people making fun of other people. “After Playworks, school felt like more of a safe…

empty room with words painted on walls
empty room with words painted on walls

The Difference a Caring Adult Makes in the City of Good Neighbors ›

“Schools are going weeks without hearing from kids. Calling it a tragedy doesn’t do it justice. Even if kids are safe, they’re still lost kids because they aren’t connected,” Tyler Davis, Playworks Site Coordinator in Buffalo, NY, explains about kids in the pandemic who haven’t been attending school virtually. At the end of the pandemic,…

Global Recess Alliance logo
Global Recess Alliance logo

Recess is Necessary ›

Researchers agree: it’s important to prioritize recess in how schools approach re-opening. The research community has come together to establish the Global Recess Alliance in an effort to bring attention to the essential role of recess during school reopening. These scholars, health professionals, and educational leaders agree that recess is critical for children’s physical and…

kids with Coach Hoops
kids with Coach Hoops

Stories from the Playground: Coach Hoops ›

It’s not every day that a Playworks #AmeriCorps Coach is honored by the Los Angeles Lakers, complete with a basketball clinic hosted by legendary forward A.C. Green. Then again, being treated to a center court awards ceremony at a Lakers game isn’t something a Playworks Coach experiences every day, either. But it’s her everyday actions…