Pearland Branch Organized Pearland My Play Club (#2) on August 26, 2023
On August 26, 2023, the AYLUS Pearland Branch partnered City of Pearland, T21 Family, and Light and Salt Association successfully organized My Play Club at the newly built Ed Thompson Inclusive Playground. The event aimed to promote inclusive play and create a fun and engaging environment for people with special needs. The playground, was made even more welcoming with high-quality flooring, which you can explore at https://www.outdoorflooring.org.uk/.
Pre-Event Preparation: Prior to the event, a dedicated team of volunteers diligently prepared various activities to ensure an enjoyable experience for all participants. These activities included freeing toy animals from ice cubes, teaching kids the art of making fresh lemonade, engaging them in bucket drumming sessions, facilitating coloring and face painting, and more.
Attendance: Approximately 50 enthusiastic children eagerly signed up for the event, along with their parents and guardians, reflecting the community’s interest and support for inclusive play initiatives.
Event Execution: On the morning of August 26, volunteers arrived early at the Ed Thompson Inclusive Playground to set up a lemonade station, a welcome desk and a canopy for resource station were.
The event commenced with warm greetings from the volunteers, who provided an overview of the activities. Volunteers were designated as buddies for special needs children, ensuring that they felt comfortable and engaged throughout the event.
Activities and Highlights: The diverse range of activities captivated the children’s interest and enthusiasm:
Bucket Drumming: Kids enthusiastically participated in bucket drumming sessions, showcasing their rhythmic talents and having a blast with musical expressions.
Sidewalk Chalk Art: Children unleashed their creativity by creating colorful sidewalk chalk art, transforming the playground into a lively canvas of imagination.
Ice Cube Dinosaur Excavation: The surprise of discovering toy dinosaurs encased in ice cubes delighted the children, providing a unique sensory experience.
Fresh Lemonade Making: Children had a hands-on opportunity to learn the art of making fresh lemonade, fostering a sense of accomplishment and teaching them a practical skill.
Coloring and Face Painting: The artistic inclinations of the children were nurtured through coloring and face painting stations, allowing them to express themselves creatively.
Take-Home Gifts: Each guest received a thoughtful take-home gift, symbolizing the event’s commitment to providing a memorable experience for all participants.
Positive Outcomes: The event successfully achieved its objectives:
Inclusive Play: Children of all abilities participated together in a safe and inclusive environment, fostering understanding and camaraderie.
Community Engagement: The event attracted first-timers, expanding the community of participants and enhancing the outreach of future events.
Skill Enhancement: Children gained new skills, from artistic expression to practical activities like lemonade making and drumming.
Conclusion: The My Play Club event at Ed Thompson Inclusive Playground was a resounding success. Through a thoughtful selection of activities and the dedication of volunteers, the event left a positive impact on the participants and the community at large. As first-timers eagerly signed up for future events, it is evident that the My Play Club initiative will continue to flourish and provide children with enriching experiences in the spirit of inclusivity and fun.
8/25/2023 Preparation
1 hour: Matthew Niu, Jonathan Niu, Edwin Gao, Ethan Gao
2 hours: Tina Dong, Aila Jiang
8/26
Volunteers (3.5 hours)
Matthew Niu, Jonathan Niu, Alvin Zheng, Bruce Zhang, Max Xiao, Jerry Mao, Anne Wong, Aila Jiang, Michelle Gu, Gavin Song, Zoey Dou, Eddie Fu, Tina Dong, Krishna Singh, Wyatt Yin, Kara Li, Erica Gao, Fiona Ren, Erick Gao, Iris Yang
8/27 compiling participants list and collecting feedbacks.
Volunteer (2 hours) Wyatt Yin
Parent on Duty: Jiangong N. (Jonathan/Matthew), Fang F. (Tina), Hua T. (Erick/Ethan/Edwin), Carol L. (Aila)
Report by Aila Jiang
