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.
Sunflower Play Initiative had the pleasure of hosting 34 Build & Play sessions at Farmworker’s After School Program from July 2018 – March 2020. Sessions lasted 60 – 120 minutes. Build & Play sessions took place under the carport with an abundance of “loose parts”: open-ended materials such as cardboard, tape, fabric, recyclables, science and … Continue reading Students Shine Bright at Farmworkers
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?
