|
What did you observe?
You see children running across Lords Park with parents, grandparents, siblings, and caregivers. You hear laughter. You see determination, excitement, encouragement, and celebration. Most of all, you see something that every child deserves to experience, the JOY of play.
When you first glance, it may look like children are simply flying kites. But if you look a little closer, you'll see something much bigger happening.
You'll hear rich language as families talk together: "Up! Down! Higher! Lower! Faster! Slower! Behind you! In front of you!"
Children are discovering how the wind blows, or doesn't. They're learning about cause and effect, experimenting with momentum, solving problems, making predictions, adjusting their movements, and building confidence. They are celebrating together, and the best part is they don't even realize they're learning because they're having fun.
This is how young children learn, through PLAY.
At The Basics of Greater Elgin, powered by EPEL, one of the five Basics Principles is Explore Through Movement and Play. Research tells us that active play isn't just fun, it is essential for healthy brain development. Through movement and play, children strengthen critical thinking, language, self-regulation, creativity, and relationships. These experiences build the foundation for lifelong learning.
This summer, EPEL created these opportunities through Learning On the Go in four locations across two communities, giving families simple, meaningful ways to learn together having fun.
One of the most meaningful things we learned on Wednesday during this family engagement activity wasn't just what the children experienced, it was what the adults experienced too. Several parents and grandparents shared with Andrea and Karen that they had never flown a kite. For them, this was also a first-time experience, and the giggles, smiles, and laughter made every minute of preparation worthwhile.
Watching families play and learn together reminded me that joyful learning doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Learning happens every minute, every day, everywhere. Sometimes, all it takes is a little time together, a place to run, and a $1.25 kite.
The smiles. The laughter. The cheering. The memories. Those moments are PRICELESS!
As I put the video together, I found myself getting teary. It reminded me how fortunate I was to have a childhood filled with opportunities to play and explore, and later, to provide those same experiences for my girls. When you learn to play as a child then you are more likely to model that for your children later in life. Some of the families that we meet in the neighborhoods never had a chance to be a kid.
My hope is that the families realize that the playful experiences our team modeled don't require expensive toys or elaborate plans. Children don't need the latest gadget to learn. They need caring adults, time together, opportunities to explore, and the chances to play. The return on that investment is immeasurable...stronger brains, stronger family connections, and big smiles and giggles.
So the next time you see a child flying a kite, kicking a ball, splashing in a puddle, or blowing bubbles, remember you aren't just watching play, you're watching a child's brain grow.
Thanks for partnering to be part of the JOY for families.
| 
