Playworks, a leading national nonprofit organization, has recently introduced SparkPlay, an innovative online platform designed to promote safe and healthy play for school and youth development staff. This new virtual tool draws on Playworks’ extensive experience over nearly 30 years to provide resources and guidance on improving recess experiences for children.
SparkPlay offers teachers and youth development staff guided learning paths on various topics such as group management, play facilitation, and play systems. By utilizing evidence-based best practices, practical tips, and engaging game ideas, the platform aims to enhance the foundational components of a well-run play experience. Users have access to a wide range of games, best practices, curated weekly emails, and guidance at their fingertips, anytime and anywhere.
According to Elizabeth Cushing, CEO of Playworks, a positive recess experience is crucial for children to develop essential social, physical, and emotional skills. By making their playbook available online through SparkPlay, Playworks hopes to inspire educators, after school staff, and families to support children in building relationships and life skills through play.
Playworks collaborates with elementary schools, districts, and community-based organizations to promote play for both children and adults through various services such as coaching, consultation, and resources. By focusing on skill-building, the organization ensures that students feel included, active, and equipped with valuable skills necessary for success in and out of the classroom.
SparkPlay subscriptions offer multiple guided learning paths, a library of resources, an extensive collection of games, a community space for sharing challenges and connecting with other educators, and curated weekly emails featuring new games and Brain Breaks. This comprehensive platform is designed to support school staff in creating a positive and engaging play environment for children.
For more information about SparkPlay and Playworks’ initiatives, visit their website at www.playworks.org/services/sparkplay.
About Playworks:
Playworks is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to utilizing the power of play to enhance children’s physical and emotional well-being. With a mission to bring out the best in every child, Playworks aims to ensure that all children in America have the opportunity to play every day. Through partnerships with schools, districts, and community organizations, Playworks provides coaching, training, and resources to promote positive play experiences and youth development practices.
During the 2024-2025 school year, Playworks is working to bring safe and healthy play to over 600,000 youth in more than 1,300 schools and community partners nationwide. To learn more about Playworks and their impact, visit www.playworks.org.
