At Vineyard Ranch Elementary, the young students are not limited to learning inside the classroom. They have access to an outdoor area that is funded by the “Learning Through Play Everyday” grant and is used extensively for learning.
Iliana Parra, a first-grade teacher, emphasizes the value of this unique area as it allows the students to use their imagination, work collaboratively, and come up with creative ideas for things they build.
For instance, Caden Goldberg and Sophia Mugartegui built a Lego wall and a popcorn playground with a pool that a mini figure can jump into. Meanwhile, a group of girls play a game where one chooses a flashcard showing a bee, and another girl spells out the word “BEE” with squishy letters. Through games, the children are learning language skills, socialization, spatial relations, and more!
Eva Cepeda reminds us that the best part of playing outdoors is being with friends. It is heartening to see how this outdoor area is extending the learning experience of young children and enabling them to have fun while doing so.