Spring has officially sprung at Meadowbrook Elementary! Students participated in outdoor, play-based learning on Friday guided by Sticks & Sprouts, a company that offers nature learning opportunities for children.
These sensory experiences were led by Emily McCue, a licensed pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of Sticks & Sprouts located in Red Bank, NJ. Their mission is “...to create a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment where children are inspired to explore, discover, learn, and create through active play. By fostering holistic development, we aim to cultivate a generation of curious, confident, and connected individuals equipped with the skills to thrive. Through our programs, we promote the importance of play-based learning, encouraging children, families, schools, and communities to connect with the outdoors while fostering social-emotional wellness, educational growth, and environmental awareness.”
This statement resonated with our teachers and staff who encourage similar goals in the classroom. The session began with students singing together, welcoming bells and puppets into the activity. Next, students transitioned to parachute play with songs about different colors, shaking the parachute, and working together to keep the balls in the middle. Then students moved to a variety of stations that motivated independent and group play. These sensory-rich activities consisted of building blocks, colorful tires, sand play, and in keeping with the spring theme, flower and dirt play. These stations fostered gross motor skill development, cooperation, and imaginative play.
This was a great opportunity for students-and staff-to enjoy the sunny weather and learn through play.
