LiiNK Updates

The LiiNK Project (Let's Inspire Innovation 'N Kids) was designed and created by Dr. Debbie Rhea, Associate Dean and Kinesiology Professor at Texas Christian University. It is an ongoing research study that aims to develop the whole child by increasing time for physical activity/recess in schools and creating more equality across content areas. LiiNK incorporates four 15-minute recess breaks daily and 15-minute character development lessons daily. LiiNK recesses are outdoor, unstructured play breaks. LiiNK started in two private schools in Fort Worth in 2014-2015. Over the next three years, 17 public schools joined the project. The project has plans to expand nationwide over the next few years. For more information, check out the LiiNK website and the LiiNK Facebook Page!

My goal as the LiiNK Project Creator is to produce a school environment that creates all aspects of the child: social, emotional, physical, and cognitive health! In turn, the classroom environment becomes much more conducive for learning, the teacher becomes much more relaxed, the students are less stressed, and overall, social behaviors are enhanced through play and character development. Many great stories have come from parents and teachers about the students and their abilities to empathize. I’ll leave you with this one for November: A little boy went home from school one day and saw that his mother seemed stressed trying to pack for a week-end family trip. He said, “Mom, I don’t like seeing you stressed. Let me help you out around the house to get ready to leave. What do you need for me to do?” The mom just about fell over when she heard her son say this. She said, “my son would have not said this before Positive Action and play became such a huge part of his life. He has really become much more empathetic and thoughtful.” Have a great November!

Dr. Rhea

Students in Chattanooga, OK, put a creative spin on what was originally just some dirt and grass. Over the course of four recesses, they built a farm with hay bales, horses, cows, and trees!

Alongside four daily recesses, LiiNK students enjoy 15-minute Positive Action Lessons daily. Positive Action is "a systematic educational program that promotes an intrinsic interest in learning and encourages cooperation among students. It works by teaching and reinforcing the intuitive philosophy that you feel good about yourself when you do positive actions." Below you will discover some of the learning targets and vocabulary used as a part of the curriculum. As the school-home connection is a valuable tool for reinforcing positive actions, we encourage families to talk about Positive Action at home.

Week 1) Positive Action: To do or cause good things to happen

Week 2) Self-Concept: How you think and feel about yourself

Week 3) Valuable: Precious or great worth

Week 4) Happiness & Success: To feel good about who you are, what you are doing, and how you treat others

Week 5) Unique: To be one of a kind

Week 6) Success: To feel good about who you are, what you are doing, and how you treat others

Week 7) Healthy: To be well or have good health

Week 8) Wellness: To be totally healthy in body, mind, and feelings

Week 9) Creative: To be able to make something new

Week 10) Challenge: A task that calls for special effort

Week 11) Curious: Eager to learn how and why things happen

Week 12) Decision: To think about the choices and pick the best one

Week 13) Time: When something happens; Energy: The force to do something

Week 14) Talent: A natural ability that can be developed

Week 15) Possessions: Things you are responsible for; Money: Coins and bills

Ask you students: Who are Pix It and Nix It? How are they different? What have you learned about self-concept?

Ask your students: Who are Maurice and Marrott? How are they different? Tell me what you learned about positive actions and self-concepts. What is the Road to Good Health?

Ask your students what they learned about self-control. Also, who is Scrappy? Are his choices healthy? What did you learn about using time wisely?

Ask your students about their self-concepts. In what ways do other things and people affect them? Who is Teresa, and what does she do to change her poor habits? How can you use your time wisely?

Pictured below are members of the LiiNK Team at the 2017 PLAY conference. LiiNK put on a workshop on how to become change agents for play, as well as presented on the following public school results from this past year: off-task behaviors, body mass index (BMI), attentional fatigue, and academic scores. And of course - LiiNK had a blast playing outside with the Clemson Tiger! For a full list of conferences attended and presentations, check out the LiiNK Webiste!

We would love to hear from you. Please send us pictures of the fun your family discovers outdoors, along with any other stories, pictures, or videos showing how LiiNK has positively impacted your child or family.

Dr. Debbie Rhea (Creator & Director)

Alex Rivchun, MS, MBA (Project Manager)

Laura Clark, MS (Communications Coordinator)

Carol Bollinger, MS (Field Manager)

Candice Williams-Martin (LiiNK Specialist - EMS-ISD)

Kim Jones, MEd (Lead Trainer/Observer)

Dave Farbo, MS (Research Associate)

LiiNK thanks Candice Williams-Martin for gathering several sections of the newsletter!

Email: d.rhea@tcu.edu
Website: liinkproject.tcu.edu
Phone: 817.257.5263
Facebook: facebook.com/theliinkproject