Case Studies
![two girls playing on blacktop](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0844-X3-402x240.jpg)
![two girls playing on blacktop](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_0844-X3-402x240.jpg)
November 8, 2022
Play Contributes to Safe and Healthy Communities ›
Play is an essential part in building safe and healthy communities where children feel connected and invested in the world around them. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Play…
![kids running on playground](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0447-X3-402x240.jpg)
![kids running on playground](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0447-X3-402x240.jpg)
October 24, 2022
Kids are Still Recovering from Pandemic Losses. Play Can Help. ›
As pandemic school closures recede into memory for many schools, the impacts linger. Kids, educators, and families are still working on creating a new normal. One working paper from the…
![kids playing on blacktop](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/DSC_3857-X3-402x240.jpg)
![kids playing on blacktop](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/DSC_3857-X3-402x240.jpg)
September 30, 2022
How Social and Emotional Support Rewires Brains—and Schools ›
“Better recess creates better learning. Happier children learn better.” – Victoria Grau, Recess Supervisor, John Garvy Elementary School, Chicago, IL “Happy kids learn better” may seem like good common sense—but…
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SLC_AltaView_Toned_HighRes_044-XL-402x240.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SLC_AltaView_Toned_HighRes_044-XL-402x240.jpg)
May 10, 2017
How Canyons School District Improved Outcomes District-Wide With Playworks ›
When Utah introduced new state PE standards in 2015, Canyons knew they needed to act quickly. At the same time, they didn’t want to lose sight of their highest-priority strategies…
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/4-402x240.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/4-402x240.jpg)
December 20, 2016
Play Works for Rochester ›
Play is transforming children and adults in the City of Rochester. In a large school gymnasium in Rochester, NY, a group of adults are giggling and running around, playing a…
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/EmilieCarolPhotography-251-XL-1-402x240.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/EmilieCarolPhotography-251-XL-1-402x240.jpg)
November 28, 2016
How One Tennessee School Turned Recess Around ›
When P.E. teacher Hannah Reinke found out that her students at Antioch Middle School in Nashville, Tennessee would get daily recess, she was thrilled. Then reality hit. Last year, Antioch…
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Baltimore-Picture-1-402x240.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Baltimore-Picture-1-402x240.jpg)
September 15, 2016
Fun and Games Means Learning for Teachers, Too ›
At The Waldorf School of Baltimore, “all fun and games” means serious learning—for teachers! This year, the school brought in Playworks trainer Sean Keelan to lead two days of hands-on…
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chair-circle-e1506504411594-402x240.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chair-circle-e1506504411594-402x240.jpg)
September 21, 2015
Teaching Empathy on the Playground ›
Empathy is arguably the most important life skill our kids can learn. Recess is where students have the most freedom to practice empathy . . . or not. As a principal, I’ve seen students…