Playocracy is

Breaking the Rules Around Recess!

Providing Schools with the Tools and Strategies

to Build a Quality Recess Culture.

 

Why Become a Recess Architect?

Understanding Recess

Recess is a designated period within the school day when children are provided independent time to engage in activities of their choosing, within set boundaries. Despite its intended purpose as a break for relaxation and play, recess often presents numerous challenges and interpersonal conflicts among children.

Challenges in Play

Research has shown that many children today experience difficulties in playing cooperatively, primarily because they are deprived of opportunities for play. This struggle is not rooted in a lack of knowledge about how to play, but rather in the absence of necessary time and opportunity to participate in authentic, unstructured play.

Impact of Play Deprivation

Growing evidence suggests that children who lack sufficient time for unstructured play face a variety of developmental and emotional challenges, including:

• Diminished creativity and problem-solving abilities
• Delayed development of age-appropriate fine and gross motor skills
• Increased rates of mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety
• Poor self-regulation and reduced resiliency when confronted with stressful situations
• Adult Expectations and the Reality of Recess

Given these findings, it is unreasonable for adults to expect children to engage in fun and conflict-free play during a brief 15-minute recess. When children have not been given adequate opportunities to practice genuine, unstructured play, expecting them to do so seamlessly can contribute to frustration and further challenges for everyone.

Playocracy has gathered over a decade's worth of evidence-based information and research to support schools in selecting the best strategies and opportunities for their school culture.

These have been put in one easy-to-access spot called Recess Architects.

The Recess Architect has reframed recess into three easy-to-manage areas:

Tool Box #1  Designing the Blue Print

To build a sustainable and meaningful recess culture, it is important to start with a foundation rooted in intention and purpose. 

Tool Box #1, "Designing the BluePrint," emphasizes that recess is far more than a brief 15 or 20 minutes on the playground—it is an integrated part of the school day that stretches into the moments before and after official recess time. Success depends on deliberate planning and strategies that genuinely reflect the needs of the entire school community.

By investing in a purposeful approach to playground layout and design, schools empower Recess Teams to create an environment where students are supported not only during play but also as they transition back into the classroom. Thoughtful planning with a Recess Action Plan ensures that, when the recess bell rings, students return to their studies energized, focused, and ready to learn.

Tool Box #2  Building the Infrastructure

We've laid the foundation in Tool Box #1, and now we build the recess infrastructure by training staff and students to create a positive recess culture that unites their entire school community. The training options include:

The L.E.A.D. Recess Program

We have developed the L.E.A.D. Recess Program. This program focuses on building strong social and emotional skills through play. Student Leaders participate in a comprehensive training program that teaches them to model positive interpersonal skills and foster a school community through play. Training does not end after the initial day, but they continue to grow and feel empowered with each monthly meeting.

L.E.A.D. Train the Trainer

Just like every other team in your school, having a coach who will lead, support, and enhance student development is just as important to the L.E.A.D. Recess Team. A small group of Staff Champions from your school board or district, who would run this program for all the schools, helps to minimize costs and maximize productivity. We can train your team and support them as they work with all the schools.

L.E.A.D. 2.0

The next phase of training your student leaders is to step it up a notch! Our comprehensive training explores inclusivity and the pedagogy behind designing our own games. This session can be delivered to individual schools or we can gather several schools for a mini summit. This approach has proven to be very successful!

E.A.S.Y. – Engaged Active Supervision for the Yard

All stakeholders within the school community play a vital role in fostering positive recess experiences. Consider the analogy of baking chocolate chip cookies: if you are missing the chocolate chips, the end result will not meet your expectations. Similarly, a successful recess relies on having all the essential "ingredients"—a dedicated Recess Team, a well-crafted action plan, a strong peer leadership group, thoughtful playground design, and engaged staff members who understand their responsibilities and feel heard.

When staff members actively supervise recess with intention, engagement, and awareness, the outcome for students is notably positive. The way students return to the classroom after recess has a direct impact on their attitude and focus during the remainder of the day. Purposeful and observant adult supervision demonstrates a deep understanding of active engagement and contributes to a supportive and energizing environment for all students.

We work within the realm of all three specific areas that support recess supervisors in creating a successful recess for all.

Tool Box #3  Tools of the Trade

What makes Playocracy unique is its commitment to nurturing creativity and a genuine understanding of the benefits of play. This has enabled us to create and develop several practical tools that improve play, empower student leaders, and encourage creativity to thrive. 

Create-a- Game Book

Playocracy has created a highly unique tool that fosters children’s creativity and imagination. Student Leaders are trained and understand the pedagogy behind developing their own games. When engaged properly, students develop executive functioning and communication skills, age-appropriate writing skills, and numerous social and emotional capabilities. 

Recess Rules Book

An electronic handbook that is developed by student leaders and shared with the whole school

Play Recovery Tool

Why should play stop during recess?  Use this tool for options and quick tips

Equipment Kits and L.E.A.D. Vests

Identify your Recess Leaders with cool-looking vests and an equipment kit that will provide many hours of recess activities.