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20 | June 22, 2017 | The winnetka Current news winnetkacurrent.com Program fosters creativity in children at Clarkson Park Alexa Burnell Freelance Reporter Wilmette’s Edward Dean learns about new instruments from the Music Institute of Chicago at the Alliance For Early Childhood’s “Let’s Play” days. Teaching families simple ways to spark imagination is what The Alliance for Early Childhood is all about. The nonprofit hosted its annual “Let’s Play!” days June 5-7, teaching families simple ways to spark imagination, while reinforcing the importance of unstructured play for growing young minds. Liza Sullivan, of Wilmette and executive director of the AEC, explained that the theme of “fostering creativity” was woven into events at Clarkson Park in Northfield, Townley Park in Kenilworth and Vattmann Park in Wilmette. The goal was to give pointers on simple, easy-to-replicate ideas for child-led play. “With the summer coming up, we see many families registering kids into all day camps and structured classes,” Sullivan said. “While these programs are great, we want to bring light to the importance of letting kids create, imagine, invent and problem solve on their own in unstructured environments where kids lead the way for play.” According to Sullivan, self-directed play appeals to kids of all ages and promotes learning and critical thinking skills too. “There is growing research that links creativity and imagination to the ability to be successful in a global world,” she said. “Kids need to be able to synthesize content, collaborate with others and be creative in order to be successful in today’s world.” Anne Halley, director of Chicago Botanic Garden’s preschool, is a supporter of self-directed play and participated at Townley Park. She introduced kids to the concept of loose parts play, where materials such as Popsicle sticks, feathers, rocks, toilet paper rolls, shells and yarn replaced typical store-bought toys. “Loose parts play is open ended and appeals to all ages. Older ones often want to build something specific, but all their own,” Halley said. “Younger ones often want to put objects in a jar, dump them out and then do it all over again. While this may seem simplistic, this type of play is the foundation for math skills, and allowing kids to direct their own play is empowering.” Also at Townley Park, children experimented with instruments brought by the Music Institute of Chicago, as well as simply playing in the sand boxes, running in the fields and climbing in trees. Parents mingled while allowing their little ones to meet new friends and direct their morning, with little direction from mom or dad. On day two at Vattmann Park, little ones were welcomed to play with a variety of bubble making toys, scarves and hula hoops provided by the Kohl Children’s Museum. The Museum’s education specialists Theresa Ruvalcaba and Sarah Rankin stood back, watching as kids created new ways to play with these everyday objects. “As soon as I put the bubble mixture out, kids instinctively dumped it on the sidewalk, deciding for themselves how to best use the soap. Soon, a few kids started jumping in the Winnetka Librarian Sheila Cody reads to kids at Townly Park in Kenilworth during the Alliance For Early Childhood’s “Let’s Play” days. photos by ALEXA BURNELL/22ND CENTURY MEDIA Winnetka’s Alex Wolf gets creative with Nicole Filippone, Lincoln Park Zoo’s Child and Family Program Facilitator during the Alliance For Early Childhood’s “Let’s Play” days at Clarkson Park. bubble mix and before we knew it, many other kids followed suit,” Ruvalcaba said. “They had more fun jumping in puddles, rather than making bubbles as we the adults had intended. It’s activities like these that remind us to step back and let kids explore, create and lead the way when it comes to play.” The final day at Northfield’s Clarkson Park encouraged kids to embrace their inner Picasso by creating elaborate sidewalk art, or to engage in self-directed, nature play with representatives from Lincoln Park Zoo. Nicole Filippone and Emily Van Laan, the zoo’s early childhood program facilitators, laid out toy animals, colorful swatches of fabric, natural loose parts like sticks, leaves, and rocks, letting kids create their own play. Soon, some little ones pretended to be vets caring for the sick animals, while others pretended they were in the jungle being chased by fierce creatures. Several older children, took the colorful swatches of fabric and sought out natural objects within Clarkson Park that were similar in color, embracing imagination and creativity.
winnetkacurrent.com Winnetka the winnetka current | June 22, 2017 | 21 For all your real estate needs, call the Nash Team NASHTEAM@JAMESONSIR.COM AN UNMATCHED REAL ESTATE TEAM • Combined 46 Years of Experience • Sold over 1000 Homes • Built & Renovated North Shore Homes WWW.NASH-HOMES.COM ted nash 312.505.1959 john nash 847.338.2756 • 3rd Generation Realtors who grew up in Wilmette NEW LISTING 2736 GLENVIEW RD., GLENVIEW $735,000 Open June 25, 2017 from 12-2 • This spacious home underwent a stunning renovation in 2009 to like new condition. • Gorgeous kitchen has granite counters, stainless appliances, 42” cherry cabinets, breakfast bar and table space. • Gracious 2 story foyer with beautiful staircase and wonderful open floor plan. • Spacious family rm with crown molding and fireplace opens to kitchen, deck & bright living rm. • Gorgeous cherry hardwood flrs & 1st flr laundry. • Four updated baths with granite counters and marble tiles • Newer thermopane windows & 2 panel solid white doors • Large finished basement has rec room, workout space & play area. • Large covered front porch, 2 Car Attached Garage & big deck off family rm. • Great location with easy access to Henking School, downtown & The Glen. NEW PRICE 3029 IROQUOIS RD., WILMETTE $989,000 Open June 25, 2017 from 12-2 • Seller offering buyer a $25,000 closing cost credit for contract by 7/15/17. • This beautiful spacious home has a white kitchen with a huge granite topped island that opens to a large breakfast area • Big family room has built-in bar and speakers, a bay, and steps out to the patio. • Spacious master has large walk-in closet, recessed lighting, and built-in speakers. • Master bath has double bowl marble vanity, separate shower and marble floor. • 2nd flr has laundry, skylight, and large bedrooms with good closets. • Basement features a rec room with game and tv areas, recessed lighting, and professional music room. • 2 car attached heated garage; and seven-year-old roof & siding. • The big backyard has a paver patio. • Perfect location in a quiet cul de sac in Indian Hills. JAMESONSIR.COM | EVANSTON 847.869.7300 | CHICAGO 312.751.0300 | WINNETKA 847.716.5152 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. Although information, including measurements, has been obtained from sources deemed reliable, accuracy is not guaranteed.
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WC_062217

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