Too often, we are in a rush for kids to grow up, to stop playing, and to complete the academic work of the next grade level. This kindergarten trend too often results in play time to be greatly reduced. The downside of this trend is that many kids become passive and uncreative students who don't have much time to practice authentic collaboration, innovation, sharing, planning, and communication. Research has shown that play is important for healthy brain development of young children. Play allows young students to persevere while problem solving. For example, in the Block Center students had to figure out how to create ramps for a train to join the bridge smoothly. Play also allows students to work on social skills such as when they negotiate roles in the Pet Hospital. Turn taking, patience, and fairness were developed while they worked this out. Play also encourages English Language Learners to practice their language skills as they use puppets to tell and retell a story at their own pace and control with trusting audience members watching and giving support. Play additionally encourages students to pursue individual interests and expands their curiosity.

In our kindergarten classroom, we have 30 minutes of daily, child-driven play time. For example, a group of my students chose to put on a play based on a book I had read aloud. They created the costumes, props, scenery and worked out who was going to dramatize each role.  There was a lot of planning, negotiating, creating, writing, practicing, re-reading and enthusiasm as they worked together over the course of a week.  Another play project was the creation of Lego homes with ramps for people in wheelchairs and pretend large moving escalators to help those in wheelchairs to go up and down levels. Empathy and designing for those with disabilities came out while one of the students talked about how his grandpa used a wheelchair.

While I have purchased many items for my kindergarten students to use during play time, I am requesting funding to buy consumable items (for example, paint, paper, tape, sand, etc.) and some basic non-consumable items (for example, a water table, props for the Drama Corner, additional blocks, Magna Tiles).  These items will enhance students' creations and play.  This deeper level of play will foster their creativity, social skills, problem solving abilities, and joy!

Items I would like to purchase:

LAKESHORE:

Magna Tiles Master Set  - $129.99
Lakeshore Block Play People Hispanic Family - $22.99
Lakeshore Block Play People People with Differing Abilities - $24.99 
Lakeshore Block Play People Community Block Play People - $21.99 
Best-Buy Wooden Blocks Master Set  - $129.99 
Best Buy Wooden Blocks Storage Cabinet  - $79.99
Economy Sand & Water Table  - $79.99
Top for Economy Sand & Water Table - $36.99
Kinetic Sensory Sand  - $49.99
Play Sand 25 lbs.  - $22.99
Lakeshore Super Sand Play Tools Set - $69.99
Sand & Water Storage Center - $149.00 
People's Color Crayons - $6.99
Super bright Liquid Tempera Paint - 10 colors $23.5(2) - $47.00
Adjustable Vinyl Aprons  $6.99 each (2) - $13.98
Mobile Backpack Storage Cart - $229.00
Manila Drawing Paper  $8.99(2) - $17.98
No Spill Paint cups & Brushes  - $11.99

Sub-Total $1145.83
15% shipping Lakeshore = $171.87
Lakeshore Total $1317.70

AMAZON:

TOTAL -  $1398.86