Everyone played so well together last year that Heather Von Bank decided to gather the kids and do it all over again this year.
Play Day, an event started last year by one of Von Bank’s Family and Consumer Science classes at Minnesota State University, takes place today (June 11) at Elk’s Nature Center in Mankato’s Rasmussen Woods.
Von Bank hopes to build on last year, and grow the event into an even bigger event.
“Last year it was named the First Official Play Day,” Von Bank said. “And we got a neat little plaque from the mayor.”
The point is provide a loosely structured environment where kids and their parents can explore together and play.
Von Bank hopes this year to stress the involvement of parents. Last year, Von Bank said, a number of parents sent their children into the event alone, opting instead to chat with other parents while Von Bank’s students handled the adult interaction part of it.
But she stresses that, while they’re encouraging parental involvement, they’re not encouraging a rigidly structured experience. They’ll provide the tools and ideas, but it’s up to children to provide the imagination and spontaneity, and parents to encourage them.
“We’ll really be focusing on the way in which play is children’s work,” Von Bank said. “When they mimic mom and dad in the kitchen or garden, they’re learning life skills.”
For the complete Free Press story, click on http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x1910034197/Play-Day-an-opportunity-to-explore?mailingdate=201006110601
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