Together We Play

Brief Description:

TogetherWePlay teaches elementary students how to play and work together, fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and collaboration. Through engaging activities, students develop social awareness and build healthy relationships. The program emphasizes self-reflection, guiding students to identify areas for growth and develop strategies to enhance their self-management and relationship skills, enabling them to work more effectively with others. By nurturing these skills through SEL-focused play, we create a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment where every child can thrive—on the playground, in the classroom, and beyond.

Program Objectives

Our program cultivates the five essential social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies, helping students develop into well-rounded individuals prepared to navigate life’s complexities:

• Self-Awareness: Through reflective activities and play, students gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, strengths, and areas for improvement. Recognizing where they can grow allows them to make positive changes that benefit both themselves and their community.
• Self-Management: Students learn to regulate their emotions, set goals, and manage stress, equipping them with tools to stay focused and handle challenges both in play and daily life.
• Social Awareness: By engaging in cooperative games and group activities, students develop empathy and respect for others. They learn to recognize and understand the feelings and perspectives of their peers, becoming more attuned to how their actions affect those around them. Through guided interactions, they practice listening, observing, and responding thoughtfully to others’ emotions, fostering a deeper connection and contributing to a supportive community.
• Relationship Skills: Our program teaches students how to build and maintain healthy relationships by communicating effectively, working collaboratively, and resolving conflicts constructively.
• Responsible Decision-Making: Armed with the knowledge and understanding gained through the program, students learn to make thoughtful and informed decisions. They are guided to choose actions that foster a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for themselves and their peers, ensuring that their choices contribute to their well-being and that of their community.

TogetherWePlay is designed to reduce negative behaviors and improve the overall school climate by:

• Minimizing Disputes and Interruptions at Recess: By teaching effective conflict resolution and promoting inclusive play, we help students manage their emotions and interactions, significantly decreasing disputes and interruptions during recess. This contributes to a more peaceful and productive playground environment.
• Reducing Office Referrals: With enhanced social skills and improved peer interactions, students are better equipped to handle social situations positively. This leads to a noticeable drop in disciplinary issues, resulting in fewer office referrals and less administrative burden on school staff.
• Boosting Student Engagement and Sense of Belonging: Our program fosters a more dynamic and supportive environment by cultivating strong connections among students and between students and adults. This enhances students’ sense of belonging, leading to higher participation and a more engaged and motivated student body.
• Strengthening the School Community: By promoting positive relationships and effective communication, our program contributes to a more unified and harmonious school community. The collaborative atmosphere benefits not only the students but also the staff, who experience a more cohesive and supportive working environment.
• Alleviating Staff Workload: With students better equipped to manage their behavior and resolve conflicts independently, school staff spend less time addressing disciplinary issues and facilitating social interactions. This allows teachers and administrators to focus more on instruction and other critical tasks, improving overall school efficiency.

Program Components:

1. Recess Time
   During recess, our SEL Coaches introduce inclusive play that actively engages students, encouraging broader participation. By fostering an environment where students are excited to join in, we create a vibrant and inclusive playground experience. Here, students have the opportunity to practice and reinforce the tools they’ve learned during class lessons and activities led by the SEL Coach, further developing their social-emotional skills in real-time.
2. Junior Coach Leadership Program
   We empower students through our SEL Junior Coach Leadership Program, where selected students learn games, develop leadership skills, and practice conflict resolution strategies. These Junior Coaches take turns leading activities at recess, promoting leadership and peer mentoring within the school.
3. Active Learning Workshops
   During class time, SEL Coaches lead interactive activities and workshops directly in students’ classrooms. These sessions introduce key social-emotional learning (SEL) concepts through cooperative games, lessons, and hands-on activities, equipping students with essential skills for success both on the playground and in life. Students then have the opportunity to immediately apply and practice these skills in real-time during recess, reinforcing their learning and development.

Implementation and Support

SEL Coach Role
Our SEL Coaches play a vital role in executing all aspects of our program, including:

• Active Learning Workshops: Leading interactive classroom activities and workshops, these sessions introduce key social-emotional learning (SEL) concepts through cooperative games, lessons, and hands-on experiences.
• Recess Management: Planning, prepping, and facilitating inclusive play during recess that actively engages students, creating an environment where students can practice the social-emotional skills they’ve learned during class lessons and activities.
• Junior Coach Program: Providing leadership training for 4th-6th graders and overseeing the Junior SEL Coaches team.
• Administrative Duties: Coordinating classroom schedules and maintaining clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders.

Training and Support
We offer comprehensive training for our SEL Coaches, ensuring they are fully equipped and prepared to effectively implement our program and make a lasting impact on students.

Why This Program Matters

TogetherWePlay is essential because it equips students with critical social-emotional skills that are foundational for navigating and contributing to society. By integrating SEL into play and classroom activities, students learn to manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions, all while fostering a sense of belonging and community. This program not only enhances student engagement and reduces conflicts but also alleviates the workload on school staff by promoting a more harmonious and supportive school environment. Ultimately, it creates a safe, inclusive space where every child can thrive and grow into a well-rounded, empathetic individual.