LIVERMORE PLAYS! “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” Friedrich Frobel, the father of modern kindergarten
Frobel’s words ring true for LARPD’s Youth Services, which spends each day taking this wisdom to heart by encouraging play as the doorway to learning. Play stimulates imaginations, helps children solve problems, sparks curiosity, and leads to discovery and innovation.
Learning through play The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District offers a wide variety of play for children to partake in fun, educational and social experiences. From as young as 3 months, LARPD Youth Services guides children toward a life full of learning through play.
Preschool Parents can play, too, with LARPD’s popular parent-participation preschool for children from 3 months to 6 years. For the youngest babies and toddlers, LARPD has parent-child classes incorporating motor and social development, movement, songs, music and play. Tiny Tots classes are designed for the typical developmental needs of 3-year-olds. These classes offer children a chance for theme-related play, social experiences and opportunities to make choices. Pre-Kindergarten is perfect for 4-year-olds
who are preparing to enter kindergarten. These classes allow children to develop independence, self-control, a positive image and age-appropriate skills.
ESS LARPD’s school-age child care program – Extended Student Services (ESS) – continues the tradition of encouraging play. ESS was established as a joint agreement with the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District in 1985 to serve elementary schools. The program provides a safe and caring environment for children before and after school and during the summer months. Each program provides planned individual and group activities such as art, music, science, cooking, language development, dramatic play and outdoor play. The summer program includes field trips, community service projects and community visits.
“LARPD’s Youth Services ...encouraging play as the doorway to learning.”
PAL LARPD’s program for middle school students, PAL, also allows youth to participate in play appropriate for older kids. Youth can attend this before- and after-school program at the school district’s sites. LARPD’s goal is to provide a fun and safe place for all participants, supervised by responsible and qualified staff. PAL is available year-round and kids can look forward to field trips, recreational games, guest speakers, community service projects and more. Students can also spend time doing homework.
Get Out and Play! The elements of play and the elements of learning are one and the same – practice, taking risks, working well with others, creativity, novelty and other increasingly complex developmental activities. And by fostering play, Youth Services continues to provide programs that stimulate, educate and enrich the lives of children. So stop by and learn more about what’s available. Along the way, get out and play!