Spring Watercolors Activity
Learn how to paint watercolor birds, tulips, and cherry blossoms with your little ones to celebrate the beautiful colors and sounds of Spring! All you'll need for this activity is paper, watercolors, water, paint brushes, a drawing utensil, and a straw.
Mental Health, Social and Emotional Learning, and Play
What is Mental Health and Why is it Important? Mental health is an important aspect of our wellbeing that impacts the way we face stressors, interact with others, and feel about the world around us. Our cognitive and social well-being, which are supported by our emotional and psychological [...]
The May Playful Guide
Fill Your Cup Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? When we take time to replenish our mental, emotional, and physical energy, we are able to be more present and generous to the people around us. This May, take time to practice [...]
Social and Emotional Learning
What is Social and Emotional Learning? Social and emotional learning, or SEL, is an educational strategy centered on social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, self-regulation, and self-awareness. When put together in an academic setting, these categories foster personal and social development in children and youth. Some examples of [...]
ELO at Clover Park School District: Girls on the Run WestSound
A-W-E-S-O-M-E, awesome, awesome, awesome, that's the way to be! Twice a week, 3rd to 5th grade girls at Custer Elementary and Dower Elementary can be found practicing positive self-talk, setting personal goals, and building friendships after school with Girls on the Run WestSound. Girls on the Run is one [...]
The April Playful Guide
Building Bridges When we discover new ideas and learn about the world around us, we come to understand ourselves more deeply. We may try to figure out where we “fit in”and build connections with people we feel similar to. As we grow and engage with different perspectives, our [...]
A Day at the Children’s Museum at JBLM
Located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Children's Museum at JBLM offers children, youth, and families a space to learn, play, socialize, and convene. Each playscape within the Museum allows children to imagine and play freely with the structures and objects found throughout. Let's look at each playscape and discover [...]
5 Types of Play to Encourage Early Childhood Development
The Importance of Play Playing is an essential way that children explore their world, the people around them, and make connections that help them develop. Play supports development within the brain, the body, and socially. When children are able to direct play, they are motivated to learn about [...]
Women’s History Month Children’s Booklist
Throughout the month of March, we are invited to honor and celebrate the achievements of women throughout history who have fought for a just future for women everywhere. We invite you to read a children’s book that centers trailblazing women and have selected 14 titles we love to get [...]
Greentrike Cares Kits Volunteer Spotlight
In February, two groups of volunteers assembled hundreds of Greentrike Cares Kits for children at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Greentrike Cares offers children, staff, and families at Mary Bridge, Tacoma Rescue Mission, and YWCA Women’s Support Shelter easy accessibility to thoughtfully prepared, play-based activities to infuse fun and joy [...]
