Playground Activity Leaders in Schools

Home » Workgroups

Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is a playground leadership program adapted from Peel Health that encourages children to participate in playground activities at recess regardless of their gender, size, or ability.

PALS  is offered in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and the Waterloo Region District School Board.  Both school boards in partnership with Together 4 Health and Public Health implement the PALS program in the Region of Waterloo.

Trained school staff (champions) supervise the program at their schools with trained students (student leaders) from grades 4 to 7 who are selected to act as leaders to plan and lead fun, safe activities on the school playground at the recess or nutrition breaks.

Schools who run the PALS program have observed:

  • increased physical activity in participating children
  • decreased playground conflict and bullying
  • increased leadership skills and self esteem in students through skill development in leadership, communication, problem-solving, organization, and cooperation.