America’s kids are having a very tough year. Routines and communities have been dramatically disrupted. In many cases, the fear and stress caused by pandemic-related changes is dramatically increasing trauma for children and the adults who care for them. After months of physical and social isolation, stress and uncertainty, parents and experts are calling out the critical need for kids to play, feel connected and included.
Play is how children relieve stress, build resilience, feel control over their own lives, and become competent in pursuit of their own interests. However, with the ever-growing number of demands on educators’ time and resources, many have struggled to incorporate play in the virtual or socially distanced learning environment.
Recognizing this urgent need and informed by Principal, teacher, and parent input, Playworks developed a new virtual subscription service, called Keep Playing, that takes the guesswork out of bringing play to every child’s day.
Since its September launch, more than 2,200 educators across the country have signed up for this new virtual subscription service and now receive a weekly email with:
- A Game of the Week with modifications for COVID considerations, academic applications, and SEL competencies
- A Minute Mover or Brain Break to help kids release energy and refocus on academics
- Blogs that highlight key topics pertinent to the new school landscape
- Additional resources linked for further learning opportunities
As the uncertainty of changing learning models continues, Playworks is happy to offer a resource providing consistency across remote learning and in-person learning days, weeks, and months.
Halfway through the year, the results are impressive! Over 90% of educators who responded to a survey about Keep Playing said the games and ideas help get students moving and help students feel connected to class.
Additionally, 91% of educators said the games and ideas help engage students in online learning. This engagement is key as schools look to recover relationships and reimagine learning for a post-pandemic world.
“It can be difficult to engage students when we’re working virtually,” says one Keep Playing user. “Keep Playing offers very fun and enjoyable ways to engage kids, keep them moving, and keep them learning in a way other than books and quizzes.”
To learn more about how Keep Playing is supporting students and educators, download the full Impact Report here.
Interested in learning more or bringing Keep Playing to a school near you? Click here to start a Keep Playing subscription or connect with a Playworks team member.
