Jill Vialet - Why Play Works

1 Cover

2 Title Page

3 Copyright

4 Introduction Recess Class Gametime Junior Coach Leadership Program The Leagues How to Use this Book Notes

5 Play, Seriously: The Theory and Science Behind Play What's in a Name? Defining Play A Brief Tour of Play Theory Time‐Out: Structured Versus Unstructured Play Play Science Notes

6 Twenty Big Changes That Start with Play 1 Relationships, Relationships, Relationships 2 Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3 3 Fire in Your Belly 4 What Is Normal? 5 Anyone Can Play 6 If at First You Don't Succeed … 7 Follow the Leader 8 Emotional Rescue 9 I Disagree! 10 Who Says “Winner Takes All”? 11 Risky Business 12 It's a Family Affair 13 Let's Get Physical 14 Here, There, and Everywhere 15 Chaos by Design 16 Ch‐Ch‐Ch‐ Changes 17 Driven to Distraction 18 Throw Like a Girl 19 Leveling the Playing Field 20 Getting Better Notes

7 We Can Do This Play Yourself Silly as a Superpower Infuse Play Protect Play Advocate Play Notes

8 Game GuideAnimal Farm Band Aid Tag Blob Tag Bob the Bunny Cookie Jar Elbow Tag Four Square Gaga Ball Giants, Wizards, and Elves Hula Hoop Challenge Hungry Fox I Love My Neighbor Knockout Land, Sea, Air Mountains and Valleys Night at the Museum One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Over Under Poop Deck Ro‐Sham‐Bo Rockstar Sequence Touch Shipwreck Sprout Ball Steal the Bacon Superstar Switch Three Lines Basketball Toxic Waste Dump Triangle Tag Ultimate Kickball Whistle Mixer Who Stole the Cookies? Wolves and Bunnies

9 Acknowledgments

10 Index

11 End User License Agreement

1 Cover Page

2 Table of Contents

3 Title Page

4 Copyright

5 Introduction

6 Begin Reading

7 Acknowledgments

8 Index

9 End User License Agreement

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“Why Play Works is an inspiring literary game changer for community leaders + educators. Jill generously shares a plethora of insights + wisdom + a game plan to maximize the power, value & positive impact that recess can offer. GameON!” #amazing #unlock #cheatcode #gratitude

—Kevin Carroll, author + katalyst

“WOW. In why play works, Vialet offers a well written, fast moving and compelling case for why play — that seemingly frivolous childhood obsession — holds the seeds to social connectedness, civility and democracy itself. A must read for anyone who cares about children and the future of society and for all who can use a little more recess in their lives.”

—Kathy Hirsh‐Pasek, Professor of Psychology, Temple University; senior fellow Brookings Institution; author Becoming Brilliant and Einstein Never Used Flashcards

“What this book, celebrating 25 years of Playworks leadership and its proven accomplishments does, is…on close scrutiny, provide a compelling science‐based workable narrative and methods for resolving seeming insoluble problems with which our inner city schools (and society) struggle. Problems which historically explode regularly in recess settings that then continue to disrupt the overall school settings, and reflect unsolved broad societal dysfunctions. However, the solutions described in this book work “magically” in many varied and highly challenging settings., But beyond this book are also play based solutions broadly applicable to transforming our polarized society itself. Jill's leadership and Playworks track record and the details within this book provide the keys to providing an antidote to “connection, isolation, fear, distrust and despair, replacing it with joyfulness, resiliency changemaking skills,…and more.”

—Stuart Brown, MD Founder, National Institute for Play

Why Play Works makes the case for play equity in a moment when we need it more than ever. Vialet has brought together stories, insights and playfulness in a useful, readable format that we hope will shift the thinking of educators, activists and families of the important role of play to physical and mental wellbeing."

—Renata Simril, President and CEO, LA84 & President, Play Equity Fund.

JILL VIALET