New York Times columnist David Bornstein celebrated the second anniversary of his column today by sharing some of what he has learned about modern social change efforts. He writes about solutions that teach math, increase hand-washing, decrease homelessness and teach empathy.
One lesson Bornstein learned is that teaching soft skills — such as teamwork and conflict resolution — is important for positive relationships and bullying prevention. In fact, he shares that a great recess, and Playworks specifically, is one of many solution that address today’s social problems and may indicate we are on the edge of a new age of Enlightenment.
FROM FIXES: In schools, organizations like Playworks are showing that, if you want to reduce bullying, increase students’ readiness to learn and give teachers more time to teach, one of the most sensible strategies is to improve recess— so that it becomes a period in which children learn, through play, how to control their impulses and get along with others.
By teaching teamwork, empathy, cooperation and leadership in schools both on and off the playground, Playworks systemically prevents teasing and bullying, allows for more teaching and learning, and develops a generation of youth with the vision and collective will to make the age of Enlightenment happen. We do this in three ways, 1) by providing training to adults who work on schoolyards, 2) by hiring, training, placing and supporting enthusiastic young adults in high needs schools, and 3) by providing resources to parents and community members who bring similar programs to their own schools.
Want to learn more about the Age of Enlightenment? Read David Bornstein’s entire article here.
