Playworks, the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional well-being, has introduced SparkPlay, an online, subscription-based education resource to support the continuous learning of safe and healthy play for school and youth development staff. The virtual tool pulls from Playworks’ nearly 30 years of experience on playgrounds to teach staff, schools and community-based organizations how to improve recess to bring out the best in every kid through play while sparking new ideas to keep them engaged.
SparkPlay equips teachers and youth development staff with guided learning paths on group management, play facilitation and play systems. It uses evidence-based best practices, practical tips, and fun game ideas to teach the foundational components of a well-run play experience. The learning tool provides on-demand access to games, best practices, curated weekly emails, and guidance anytime, anywhere.
Speaking about the development, Elizabeth Cushing, CEO of Playworks, said:
A positive recess experience helps youth develop critical social, physical, and emotional skills. By opening up our playbook online through SparkPlay, we hope to inspire adults everywhere—teachers, after-school staff, families—to help kids build relationships and important life skills by playing.
SparkPlay subscriptions include multiple guided learning paths, a searchable library of resources containing Playworks’ best recess tips and tricks, an extensive collection of games, a community and discussion space where educators can share challenges and connect, and curated weekly emails with new games and brain breaks.
Playworks has improved children’s school experiences and culture by providing a loving and accepting atmosphere in which every child can thrive. The platform collaborates with elementary schools, districts, and community-based groups to deliver games and youth development techniques through direct-service coaching of youth and training and advice for those working with children. With an emphasis on social, physical, and emotional skill development, students feel included while being active and learning vital skills for success in and out of the classroom.
