Within the last decade, play and recess in public education in the United States needed the support of academic research to exist. In fact, several psychologists and administrators reportedly collaborated and used formal research to rectify the disappearance of recess.
The Importance Of Play And Recess To Schoolchildren
Based on the research titled, "The Role of Recess in Children's Cognitive Performance and School Adjustment," authors Anthony D. Pellegrini and Catherine M. Bohn found that playing can be useful in a student's overall development. They discovered that play can be beneficial to schoolchildren's character development, academic achievement, safety and overall health.
Fortunately, Playworks, an Oakland-based non-profit organization, is taking the lead to revolutionizing recess and play. The organization also aims to connect recess and play to a more positive and healthy school culture and experience.
What Is Playworks?
Playworks is an organization that believes recess and play can unravel children's "superpowers." According to Tech Insider, the organization provides a system of play to over 1,000 schools across the United States that they can adopt to give unstructured activities more concentration.
With more than 300 games and almost 40 variations of tag in its library, Playworks assigns college-aged coaches to help schools in teaching students specific games and strategies to boost their cooperation with one another. Through these activities, Playworks underscores the fact that playing with other kids will allow them to learn a social experience.
"Kids are desperate to be taught ways to get along with each other and be successful in play and school," Jill Vialet, who started Playworks in 1996, told the New York Times in 2011. "It hasn't been taught."
The Effects Of The Playworks Model
Based on a study conducted by Stanford University in 2013, researchers found that Playworks model reduced bullying by 43 percent and increased feelings of safety at school by 20 percent. In addition, key findings also include more vigorous physical activity and students were more ready to learn after the recess.
Other studies also found that recess can lead to better grades in school. However, the absence of recess could reportedly mark the nonexistence of creativity in schools.
Every Student Succeeds Act
Meanwhile, experts said that the future of American education seems promising with implementation of the Every Students Succeeds Act bill. With the new law, student achievement is not only measured through formal testing, taking into consideration how the safety of the school and how engaging the classrooms are can affect their academic performance.
In conclusion, the relevance of American education will not be solely based on grades. With the Playworks model, the extended time allotted for play and recess will be a more effective way for childhood development.
So, what do you think of the Playworks model in American education? Sound off below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
