United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child
“States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts”
As a mom and teacher, it was wonderful watching my kids completely engage their full self. The blocks of ice, colored water, cardboard boxes, teepees, and tires, provided a safe learning space where my kids could explore, create, imagine, and immerse themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. If only they could play and learn like this every day!
I work here. It is always quiet. I never hear the sounds of children. I have no children of my own. No nieces or nephews. Nothing. The children are always quiet, serious, shy, afraid. Now you (Sunflower Play Initiative) are here on the carport. I am working and it’s not quiet. I hear laughter and joy, children talking, planning, playing. I’ve never heard it before. I come down from the office and see the smiles, they are eating good food. They are happy. They’re having fun. It is good to see them being kids. Being real kids, having a childhood.
In October 2019, SPI received funding from Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach to launch Build & Play After School, an enrichment program that encourages children to create, build, and PLAY with loose parts (open-ended materials). The hallmark of our program is giving children the freedom, space and time to engage in child-initiated creative play. The … Continue reading SPI launches Build & Play @ Home Initiative
In November 2019, SPI launched their Build & Play After School program at Pine Grove Elementary, Milagro Center, and Farmworkers Coordinating Council of Palm Beach. On a weekly basis, the program supplies loose parts materials and play counselors who supervise the children’s play, set up and clean up while each school/after school center provides an … Continue reading SPI brings their Pop-Up Build & Plays to local after school groups
Sunflower Play Initiative uses loose parts as tools to encourage child-directed play. Child-directed play is the type of play that happens when children freely choose what to play and create and follow their own rules for how to play. Loose parts are open-ended materials (natural or synthetic) that can by easily moved, taken apart, put … Continue reading What are Loose Parts? Why do we need them to play?
It has been 13 months since we launched Sunflower Play Initiative. What started as a small project of hosting Pop-Up Build and Plays in Delray Beach grew into an entire community outreach program serving children, parents, educators and communities in Palm Beach County. Since the beginning, in June 2018, SPI had the opportunity to … Continue reading Our 1st Year in Review – Highlights of the year
