FEBRUARY 10 • 2022 | 39
playground so that every kid
can find a game that they love,
”
Bunn explains. “They can be
physically active and practice
those social, emotional skills
that we know are so valuable
and happening in real time on
the playground.
”
On any given day, kids partic-
ipating in Playworks programs
like the one at Hillel can play
four square, jump rope or open
tag, among other activities.
Group agreements are another
important facet of the program,
where kids agree to be respect-
ful and have fun before running
off to the races.
“When there’s two-three
minutes left, we’ll call everyone
back so that we can do some
cooldowns and take everyone
from that really high-energy
active state and bring the energy
down so that kids are ready to
go back into the academic space
and be ready to learn,
” Bunn
says.
Cool downs can include
breathing exercises and mind-
fulness, helping kids practice
positive mental health activities
while bringing their state of
mind back to the classroom.
“Hopefully they’ll be ready
to continue their learning for
the day in a really positive way,
”
Bunn says.
BRINGING LIFE LESSONS
INTO THE CLASSROOM
Gan through fourth graders at
Hillel participate in Playworks,
while fifth and sixth graders
have a unique opportunity to
learn lifelong leadership skills
by volunteering as junior coach-
es who help lead games at recess
for the younger students.
“The process is usually very
intentional,
” Bunn says. “We
try not to always pick the kids
that are already involved in a lot
of extracurriculars, on student
council or are straight-A stu-
dents. We look for the kids that
are a little shy or can benefit
from some confidence, or kids
who are leaders, but not neces-
sarily in a positive way.
”
While encouraging physical
and mental wellness, Playworks’
programming aims to promote
inclusivity, reduce bullying,
increase attendance and help
kids resolve conflict in positive
ways. Often, the lessons kids
learn during recess are con-
tinued throughout the entire
school day.
“They’re the first to vol-
unteer,
” Bunn says of Hillel’s
Playworks participants, “or if
there’s an extra task that needs
to get done, they’ll be the ones
that will happily do that. They’re
leading games and brain breaks
in their classrooms.
”
Recess is designed for
students to get active and
release energy.
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