More Play, More Unplugged
“Play is nature’s way of teaching children how to solve their own problems, control their impulses, modulate their emotions, see from others’ perspectives, negotiate differences and get along with others as equals. There is no substitute for play as a means of learning these skills.”
In today’s digital age, schools are more than places of learning – they’re vital spaces for play, social connection, and face-to-face community. Beyond carving out plenty of time for recess, below is a curated list of programs and ideas to help educators infuse more in-real-life (IRL) activities into the school day, in turn boosting student wellbeing, belonging, and engagement.
School programs that boost IRL skills and belonging!
Annual IRL days to add to the school calendar!
My School in Motion bonds a school community via movement
My School in Motion is a community-building fitness program that gets kids (and parents and staff) moving as a community before the school/work day begins. Implemented locally in Marin County at The Cove School if you want to see it in action!
Schools can put the day on their calendar and then work collaboratively to plan tech-free activities that encourage IRL connections, as well as reflection on how we may typically overuse screens. It’s a great way to get unplugged as a community!
As a school, you can also join Unplugged Schools, a network of schools and school leaders who are dedicated to finding digital balance.
Let Grow Play Clubs amplify free play.
Start a Play Club at your school. Sign up directly at Let Grow to receive a free copy of their implementation guide. Or simply consider opening your school yard 30 minutes before school starts and invite students for unstructured play loosely supervised by a volunteer.
“The Club is the brainchild of Let Grow co-founder Dr. Peter Gray, the eminent psychologist who has spent his life studying the crucial role of unstructured, mixed-age ‘free play’ in developing children’s creativity, confidence, and ability to thrive.”
The Let Grow Experience builds student agency and confidence in real life.
The national nonprofit “Let Grow” has a free monthly independence-building homework program that is low-lift, high-return. Check out one month’s sample on p. 10. If you like the idea, request the complete program for free directly from Let Grow. The program contains a monthly homework assignment to "do something on your own with your parent's permission but without parental help." Gradually, over the course of the school year, these cumulative experiences nurture a child's agency, confidence, and emotional resilience.
Reimagine recess with DIY creativity!
Borrow ideas from communities bringing more open-ended free play to their schoolyards!
The Parish School’s Adventure Playground for ages 6-12 in Houston, TX is a space designed to spark unstructured play - watch the video to get inspiration and ideas to bring to your school! Find additional ideas from another example: Berkeley’s Adventure Playground.
Portland Free Play, a volunteer-based organization, brings play pods to schoolyards that contain open-ended “loose parts” for kids to play with during recess. Watch kids’ imaginations, teamwork, and problem solving skills grow while they play together at school! Free play is the antidote to screen overuse!
Global School Play Day
Global School Play Day (GSPD) is a chance for schools and classrooms to dedicate time to free play without the use of screens, structured games, or adult direction. For an hour, or half a school day, or for the whole school day, school communities around the world are taking the day to celebrate unstructured play in their own ways!
The idea behind GSPD is to let children explore their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interactions in an unstructured and spontaneous environment. This podcast episode done on Play Day 2019 by the KQED Mindshift team is a great way to learn more about the day, how schools can implement it and what it means to a school community - teachers, students and parents!
GPSD started in our county in Northern California! Participating schools in Marin include Cove Elementary, Neil Cummins Elementary, Hall Middle School (where it all started), Marin Community School (grades 7-12), Sun Valley Elementary, Reed Elementary, Brookside Elementary and Hidden Valley Elementary
Global Day of Unplugging
Every year, in the beginning of March, thousands of groups and individuals across the globe celebrate Global Day of Unplugging. It’s a chance to dedicate time off devices - from an hour to a full 24 hours - and the idea is to do it communally. Because together, everything is easier and more fun!
Screen Free Week
Screen Free Week is an annual initiative from the nonprofit FairPlay. School communities make the rules and pick the week in the school year that they want to commit to being screen free.
Many schools have used this screen free week to “try out” a phone free device policy at school. After seeing how quickly students begin to adapt to a phone-free school day, they have then made the choice to create a policy that extends beyond the week. Some schools use the week to go completely “Screen Free” - i.e., not using school Chromebooks, iPads, EdTech, or any technology during the school week. It’s a simple way to pilot something you’re considering!
Where to Next?
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Services
We offer Parent-Ed presentations as well as custom consulting for schools.
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Phone-Free Schools
Resources for implementing personal device policies at your school.
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OneStep Blog
Monthly tips for teaching healthy tech use. Great resource to share with parents