Playworks has recently introduced SparkPlay, an online subscription-based educational resource designed to support the continuous learning of safe and healthy play for school and youth development staff. This virtual tool draws upon Playworks’ nearly 30 years of experience on playgrounds to teach staff, schools, and community-based organizations how to enhance recess and bring out the best in every child through play, while also sparking new ideas to keep them engaged.
SparkPlay provides teachers and youth development staff with guided learning paths on topics such as group management, play facilitation, and play systems. It incorporates evidence-based best practices, practical tips, and fun game ideas to teach the foundational components of a well-run play experience. This learning tool offers on-demand access to games, best practices, curated weekly emails, and guidance anytime, anywhere.
“A positive recess experience helps youth develop critical social, physical, and emotional skills,” says Elizabeth Cushing, CEO of Playworks. By making their playbook available online through SparkPlay, Playworks aims to inspire adults everywhere – teachers, after school staff, families – to help children build relationships and important life skills through play.
Playworks collaborates with elementary schools, districts, and community-based organizations to support every child and adult through play. By focusing on skill-building, students feel included, active, and develop valuable skills that are essential for success both inside and outside the classroom.
The national nonprofit organization works to ensure that play is an integral part of every child’s day, both in school and beyond. By cultivating a culture of connection, Playworks’ programs offer protective factors that support children’s mental well-being while promoting resilience, youth agency, teamwork, and cooperation on and off the playground, positively impacting children, staff, and school culture as a whole.
SparkPlay subscriptions include multiple guided learning paths, a searchable library of resources with Playworks’ best tips and tricks to enhance recess, an extensive collection of games, a community and discussion space to share challenges and connect with other educators, and curated weekly emails with fresh games and Brain Breaks.
For more information about SparkPlay, visit: www.playworks.org/services/sparkplay.
About Playworks
Playworks is the leading national nonprofit organization that leverages the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional well-being. The organization’s goal is to bring out the best in every child and ensure that every child in America has the opportunity to play every day. For over 25 years, Playworks has improved children’s school experience and enhanced school culture by creating a caring and welcoming environment for every child to thrive. Through direct-service coaching of youth and providing training and consultation for adults working with children, Playworks partners with elementary schools, districts, and community-based organizations to bring games and youth development practices. With a focus on social, physical, and emotional skill-building, students feel included, active, and develop valuable skills needed to thrive in and out of the classroom. During the 2024-2025 school year, the nonprofit organization is ensuring that more than 600,000 youth in over 1,300 schools and community partners experience safe and healthy play during and beyond the school day nationwide.
About eSchool Media
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects – from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.