Puyallup ELC Blog

There are few places as adorable and joyful as an early learning center! At my recent visit to Puyallup Early Learning Center, the students were learning about space and the planets in our solar system. To help the students learn, they have a “Planet Song.” When I say every student was singing along, I do mean every student! It’s safe to say I’m impressed at how well our early learning students are being taught—and in such a fun way, too!

In one classroom, the students were learning through play by having center free play time. Each center is educational by design and enhances early learning development. Some of the students' favorite centers are painting, building blocks, and the dramatic play area, where they can dress up and play pretend. During my visit, they had a spaceship there and were astronauts! Research shows that play is a crucial and effective method for preschoolers to learn and develop essential skills.

The kids can’t have all the fun, though. Coming soon to PELC is teacher appreciation week, an opportunity to celebrate the teachers with a little fun of their own! Attend the PfC meeting on April 2 at 8:30 a.m. to find out how you can help with the festivities.

I also learned that PELC holds an annual summer kickoff event just for childcare families. Our childcare families attend PELC year-round, but we still want summertime to be special. That’s why these families gather at Clark’s Creek Park South for fellowship and play as a community. PELC provides hot dogs, watermelon, and chips! Along with the awesome playground at the park, they have face painting, bubbles, and the parachutes out to play with.  

My visit to PELC got me thinking: We could all take a cue from the kids and invite a little more playfulness into our lives. I hope you can all find ways to incorporate more play into your days!