HOUSTON – A study has found that a recess program can reduce bullying in schools.
Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that brings safe, healthy, inclusive play to low-income schools.
A recent study comparing schools with and without the program found those who participated had a more positive school environment and greater focus on learning.
Yvette East is superintendent and principal of Houston Heights Learning Academy.
About Playworks, she told Local 2, "This is our second year and we absolutely love it!"
East is one of hundreds of educators across the country who brought Playworks into their schools.
Researchers with Mathematica Policy Research and Stanford University found the recess- and play-based program can dramatically reduce bullying on and off the playground.
East explained, "It really works because they reinforce character education traits, and we are a character education school and we take bullying seriously."
The study also found kids wasted 27 percent less time transitioning from recess mode to classroom mode.
Playworks chief executive officer and Founder Jill Vialet told Local 2, "The transition from kids being out in the school yard to getting back to learning was much shorter, recovering up to a day or more of instructional time over the course of the year."
Vialet also believes games like four square and kickball teach kids conflict resolution of generations past.
She explained, "Creating that opportunity in schools for kids to learn those lessons of empathy and teamwork and leadership is essential to them becoming the grown-ups we want them to be."
About 40 percent of school districts across the United States have either reduced or eliminated recess all together mostly in low income urban areas well that's where Playworks focuses its services."
East said, "Overall, it does better for the body, so the children can think better and perform better in all aspects of life."
Playworks is now in five Houston schools and more than 300 across the country