Playworks

Our Playworks New England team partners with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI and Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition on the Recess Rocks in RI program. This initiative has trained 128+ RI schools, supporting and empowering hundreds of educators to improve recess at their schools for over 45,000 RI students. For their 10th anniversary they held a poster contest and recognized students leaders. Check out the poster winners and visit the site to read more about these recess champs! https://lnkd.in/df_2nJpf

"Many children do not get to experience the magic of play, but all children can benefit from playing," says Tia Mathisen, Executive Director at Playworks. "It connects them with their peers and adults and it develops critical skills. Most importantly, it is a moment for children to experience the joy of childhood." Tia is one of the inspiring panelists joining us at our International Day of Play roundtable, where we’re coming together with global advocates to reimagine education, childhood, and systems that prioritise play. 🗓️ Tune in on June 11, 2025 | 4:30 PM IST Register now: https://shorturl.at/J0DKV Tia Mathisen | Dr Sarah Aiono | Shweta Chari | Ingrid Srinath | Smarinita Shetty | Playworks | Longworth Education | International Play Association (IPA World) | International Play Association - India

Play is more than just fun, it’s how children learn to cope, communicate, and grow. But in a world that’s increasingly structured and screen-bound, play is quietly disappearing from children’s lives. This #InternationalDayofPlay, we’re hosting a roundtable to ask: How do we reclaim play into classrooms, communities, and childhood itself? Join us on June 11 at 4.30 pm IST 🔗 If you haven't registered yet, click here: https://shorturl.at/J0DKV Shweta Chari | Tia Mathisen | Dr Sarah Aiono | Smarinita Shetty | Ingrid Srinath | Hita Kumar | Deepika Mogilishetty | Longworth Education | Playworks

Addisyn Merrick on the importance of play: "When I was a kid, there was a moment when my mom said, “I think you’re going to have to stop playing.” Soccer had become too expensive, and I almost had to give up the sport that would eventually become my career. The only reason I was able to keep going was because of the support of my family—and a coach who stepped in to cover the costs. That support changed my life. It’s why I’m proud to support Playworks, an organization making sure every kid has the opportunity to play, belong, and grow. Play teaches confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Every kid deserves that." 🔗 Clink the link to join Addisyn in supporting Playworks: https://lnkd.in/g5mTu8Yd

This year, we shared the power of play with over 567,000 students in 1,246 schools! Please join us in sending Whoosh Claps to every student leader, educator, school, community-based organization, volunteer, donor, Playworks Coach, and staff member involved in making this happen. 👏🙌💙 #nonprofit #impact #powerofplay #schoolyear #support #Playworksforeverykid

Remember Angel from Coach Isaiah's story of impact? She recently participated in Playworks Minnesota's Junior Coach Leadership Day with over 400 other Junior Coaches. Her smile says it all! 😁 ICYMI: here's her story: https://lnkd.in/eZBnUhBQ #youthleadership #PlayworksJuniorCoach #studentleaders #youthdevelopment #Playworksforeverykid

This International Day of Play, meet our incredible panel of global experts, who will spotlight what the world is silently losing — children’s Right to Play. As learning gaps widen and mental health challenges rise, play is disappearing from childhoods. This roundtable calls on us all, educators, communities and policymakers, to reclaim play as a powerful tool for equity, resilience, and childhood itself. Don’t miss it! Register here: https://shorturl.at/aB7Ns Let’s make space for play, every single day. Tia Mathisen | Dr Sarah Aiono | Ingrid Srinath | Smarinita Shetty | Shweta Chari | Playworks | Longworth Education | Beth Eisen | mariah voutilainen | Euan Wilmshurst | Robyn Monro Miller AM | Sudeshna Chatterjee | Marguerite Hunter Blair OBE DL #internationaldayofplay #idop2025 #chooseplayeveryday #righttoplay #playmatters #playforall #playisessential #reclaimplay #globalvoicesforplay #playchampions

We had a blast hosting the Junior Coach Leadership Conference, celebrating over 100 student leaders from 12 of our Playworks TeamUp partner schools. These Junior Coaches are role models on the playground and in their communities, supporting younger students, encouraging active play, and strengthening their leadership skills. We're proud to support the next generation of changemakers. It was an honor to have Nova Newcomer, CEO of the Seattle Mariners Care Foundation, as a guest speaker. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story and for your inspiring words on the importance of play.

What a JOY it was to be in the arena last night for the first ever Golden State Valkyries WIN!!!! Congratulations Ohemaa Nyanin, Jess Smith, Natalie Nakase, Veronne J. Clark, MPS and all the players who showed what teamwork in the Bay looks like! Playworks is celebrating the power of play with you because we know #playmatters. 🏀

Our final AmeriCorps member spotlight of this school year is on Coach Darah, serving with Playworks New England. Coach Darah is back for a second service year. During her first, she served at a large K-8 school with a huge recess yard, and this year she is taking on a different challenge at a small school with tiny play space. In each setting, she became part of the school communities and modified games to meet the needs of the schools. Her manager shared, "Darah is able to clearly and effectively communicate her ideas, and her feedback and advice is often direct and effective. In addition, Darah approaches her interactions with students from a place of love. She wants them to be the best version of themselves, and everything she does is in service of that idea." Darah has been committed to giving back to the city of Boston through art and play, and approaches her various service activities with determination and focus. Way to go Coach Darah! #AmeriCorps #Coach #serviceyear #appreciationpost