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.

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

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