While recess provides children with a time to play and take a break from the school day, research has shown that it is also a necessary and vital part of their social, emotional, and academic development. This book provides tools and strategies for school mental health professionals, teachers, and administrators to evaluate and improve the recess experience in order to ensure that children benefit as much as possible from this important time. Using a data-based problem solving strategy, the author presents methods for assessing playgrounds, identifying features that may negatively impact students and their social interactions, intervening to modify and strengthen these features, and monitoring to guarantee that the interventions have created successful outcomes. An accompanying CD contains forms, examples, PowerPoint presentations, and other resources to support the procedures discussed throughout the book.
Table of Contents:
Introduction to Resilient Playgrounds. Students' Peer Relationships. School Playground Facilities. Data-based Problem Solving. Playground Interventions. Documenting the Impact of Resilient Playgrounds. Case Examples.
Review :
"This book addresses the planning, structure, and efficient guidance for staff and teachers to use to make recess the interactive physical, social, and emotional experience we desire our children to have. Doll gives you the text and the easy-to-print checklists, analysis techniques, and PowerPoint presentations to make it all happen. This is a must have for the school'sleadership team." - Kevin P. Dwyer, Past President, National Associationof School Psychologists, Associate Principal Research Scientist for the American Institutes for Research, USA
"Resilient Playgrounds and its accompanying CD provides classroom teachers, school administrators, and other educators with a wealth of practical suggestions and materials to help make playgrounds physically, socially, and emotionally safe places for all children." - George Bear, Profesor, School of Education, University of Delaware
"In a profound and skillfully written book, Beth Doll asks the imperative question, `what is the purpose of recess?’ Employing a data-based problem-solving model, she adroitly addresses the prospect of designing playgrounds to promote an attenuation of conflict, social competencies, and positive peer interactions that endure." - Thomas J. Kehle, Professor and Coordinator, School Psychology Program, University of Connecticut, USA
"This contemporary book shows how recess can be used constructively to promote children's well-being. The authors suggest that recess, especially playground recess, offers the potential for increasing the social competence of children...Clearly there is enough in this tightly packed book to supply empirically oriented practitioners with many hours of worthwhile thought, activity, and supervision. The entire tried-and-true book is based on a problem-solving approach. This is a concise book that focuses on practical applications. Read this wonderful book if you want to see what playgrounds have to offer in promoting the social competence and warding off of bullying and other aggressive behaviors of children. There is no other book quite like it." - Steven R. Rose, Social Work with Groups
