Let Grow is a national movement to give kids more of the real-world play and gradually increased independence their bodies and brains need for healthy development. We'd love to help our schools embrace the concept of free Let Grow Play Clubs, in line with the CDC recommendation that schools offer students easy options for physical movement outside the regular school day.
Play Clubs are simply the opening up of school grounds for children to play on before and after school without adult interference. They cost nothing and only require a couple teachers or parent volunteers, which we could help coordinate.
Districts across the country are adopting Let Grow Play Clubs and seeing fantastic results. Let's pilot a program here to see how chronic absenteeism, behavioral issues and even tests scores might improve with more movement and social interaction available before and after school.
Let Grow also offers a free independence curriculum for schools to use with students of all ages. Basically, kids are asked to go home and do something new, on their own, but with a parent's permission. Examples vary by age and might range from walking the dog to changing a tire. But the results are the same: a boost of "I-can-do-it" confidence.
Let Grow and other organizations also provide parents with ideas on how to instill more free play and independence in their children's lives outside of school. For example, check out this fantastic summer independence kit for kids, tweens and teens from our friends at Kids IRL, a nonprofit based in Marin.
Action StepS
Contact us here if you'd like your school to launch a Let Grow program.