Playocracy is

Changing the Rules Around Recess!

Providing Schools with the Practical Strategies, Creative Methods

and Tools

to Plan, Build and Nurture a Positive Recess Culture.

 

Why Become a Recess Architect?

Is Recess . . . Superfluous?

Recess is a designated time during the school day when children are given independent opportunities to engage in activities of their choice within set boundaries. Although intended as a break for relaxation and play, recess is also a time to release pressure from learning, ease emotional or social stressors, and free the body from the constraints of sitting. Recess allows the brain to regain balance by energizing cognition and releasing built-up energy in the body.

Recess, superfluous? Absolutely NOT! It offers that crucial chance to enhance learning.

Challenges in Play

However, for many children, recess often presents various challenges, such as interpersonal conflicts, understanding and adhering to game rules, developing negotiation skills, and underdeveloped communication abilities.

Research indicates that many children face challenges in playing cooperatively, mainly because they lack opportunities for authentic play. This difficulty is not due to a lack of knowledge about how to play, but rather the absence of sufficient time and opportunity to engage in unstructured play.

Every dedicated childhood researcher, like Dr. Stuart Brown and Dr. Peter Gray, emphasizes the same fact: Play is not optional. It is as vital as oxygen.

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:

• ·       A struggle with democracy and an understanding of how to play kindly, fairly and as an equal with others. 
• ·       Showing compassion, empathy, and understanding of others
• 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 a stressful situation
• ·       Lack creativity, imagination, and healthy risk-taking in thoughts and actions.
• ·       Find an absence of joy, community and wonderment.

Given that many 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 compiled over a decade's worth of evidence-based information and research to support schools with proven and established strategies that foster and cultivate a positive recess culture.

These have been put in an easy-to-follow program 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 essential to establish 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 the official recess time. Success depends on deliberate planning and creating practical 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.

And the second part of your BluePrint considers thoughtful planning with administration and the Recess Team to create a school’s Recess Action Plan which ensures that:

• All school stakeholders -all staff, students, and parents - are heard
• Communication between all stakeholders is open and respectful
• Expectations are clear and outlined
• Rules are well established
• When a Recess Action Plan is in place, 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 school’s recess infrastructure by working with staff and students to create a positive recess culture that unites their entire community. The training options include:

The L.E.A.D. Recess Program

The L.E.A.D. Recess Program had an organic evolution over eight years to be where it is today.. This program focuses on building strong social and emotional skills through play. Student Leaders participate in a comprehensive training program that educates them to model positive interpersonal skills and foster a strong school community through play. Training does not end after the initial day, but continues as Student Leaders grow and feel empowered with each monthly meeting.

We have developed a kid-approved social skills program called ERIC.  ERIC was frustrated with his recess time constantly being interrupted by problems.  See how ERIC solved these problems and how your school can use his techniques.

Schools with a strong Staff Champion or Coach continue this program year after year, saving money for the school and reducing traffic at the office after recess.  Every team needs someone to rely on; however, with this team, the Staff Champion or Coach is developing leaders who problem solve for themselves, empower each other and foster a sense of school community.  Your job is minimal!

L.E.A.D. Train the Trainer

This is the ideal training model for a school board or district seeking to implement LEAD Recess across multiple schools.  A group of staff champions is inclusively trained to run this program for all schools.  This helps to minimize costs and maximize productivity. After the initial training days, your team will be supported with follow up meetings as they continue to 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, as well as additional interpersonal skills training and empowerment planning. This session can be delivered to individual schools or we can gather several schools for a mini summit. Either 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 a fostering positive recess experience. Consider the analogy of baking chocolate chip cookies: if you are missing any ingredients that your recipe asks for . . . say the chocolate chips! . . . then you know the end results will not meet your expectations.

Similarly, a successful recess relies on having all the essential "ingredients"—a dedicated Recess Team, a well-crafted Recess Action Plan, an empowered peer leadership group, a thoughtful playground map, 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 with the administration at your school to address all realms that support recess supervisors in creating a successful recess for all.

Tool Box #3  Tools of the Trade

What makes Playocracy unique is its dedication 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 to 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.  This Recess Rules book is written in age-appropriate language by students for students.  Who better to share what the rules of the playground are than someone who is on it every day?  Of course, it is Principal-approved before it goes out to the 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

L.E.A.D. Recess Equipment Kits – we can provide a list of recommended equipment that you can pull from your equipment cupboard, or if you are low on supplies, we can help you out!

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