Goddard Parent Newsletter – Special Edition
Save the PLAY Date
Join your local Goddard School in playing and learning at The Goddard School Block Party! Participating Goddard Schools across the country will be hosting Block Party events Monday, October 1 through Saturday, October 6, 2012.
Open to the community, all are welcome to participate in a number of hands-on, fun-filled activities that demonstrate the power of play for learning. Schools will host a broad variety of playful learning activities, including obstacle courses, oversized games, “dress up” and art projects.
Set a Record with Us!
In support of The Goddard School Block Party, on Friday, October 5, children, parents, faculty and guests at each participating Goddard School will play the “Largest Game of Simon Says” across multiple venues. This exciting and unique event, which illustrates the power of play for learning in an exciting and innovative way, will take place at 9:00 AM PDT and 12:00 PM EDT. Each Simon Says game will culminate in the singing of The Goddard School Play Along Song.
Let’s Celebrate the Power of Play
For young children, play is the natural way to learn, according to the experts. In fact, research studies confirm that children who are allowed to play function better later in life, both socially and academically.
“Young children who learn through play are more ready to make their own decisions, advocate for themselves and use creativity to solve problems as they grow,” says Dr. Kyle Pruett, a Yale University child psychiatrist and consultant to The Goddard School.
Dr. Pruett points out that play helps children learn to solve problems, promotes flexibility and motivation, teaches regulation of emotions and builds resilience and confidence. Play is also essential to the development of the child’s brain, triggering trillions of neural connections that form the basis of healthy cognitive function and mastery of the child’s physical world.
Playing alone and with others not only builds brain development, it also helps children develop social skills and a sense of ethics. The most effective play is free of evaluation and correction (after all, throwing a ball shouldn’t be “right” or “wrong”), while promoting autonomy.
“True play is actually hard work,” says Sue Adair, Director of Education at Goddard Systems, Inc. “The child lost in play is exploring infinite possibilities. Caretakers and parents can assist a child’s growth by participating in play and creating an environment that encourages play as a means to meet new developmental challenges. For a child, play isn’t optional. The educational and other benefits of play are so important – in terms of healthy bodies and minds.”
For more information about The Goddard School Block Party and to download a copy of The Goddard School Play Along Song, visit www.GoddardSchool.com/BlockParty.
Let’s Play Cafe
Monday, October 1st
9:30 to 11:30
Lil Sports Obstacle Course
Tuesday, October 6th
9:30 to 11:45
Sidewalk Chalk Murals
Wednesday, October 3rd
9:30 to 4:30
Thursday, October 4th
9:30 to 11:45
Friday, October 5th
240 West Swamp Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
The information in this newsletter is provided by Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) and is intended to provide general, helpful information to parents of children enrolled in Goddard Schools. Each Goddard School is independently owned and operated by a franchisee under a license agreement with GSI. From time to time, GSI will pass along information taken from outside sources regarding medical or other professional information. This information is taken solely from the sources identified and neither GSI nor its independent franchisees make any representation regarding its accuracy or completeness. This information should never be used without consultation with a professional advisor. For complete information, you should consult the sources identified in the newsletter and your own professional advisors.
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