Students from the Early Years service-learning course invite families to bring their children ages four and up to engage in hands-on activities Saturday.
Join teacher candidates from the Faculty of Education on Saturday, March 1, as they transform the Leonard and Dorothy Neal Education Building into a vibrant playground of creativity and learning at the sixth annual Early Years Carousel.
This free event, organized by students from the Early Years service-learning course, invites families from the community to bring their children ages four and up to engage in hands-on activities like slime-making, tuff trays, sensory play, STEM challenges, crafts, and more.
Last year, the event saw more than 150 families attend, and organizer and Faculty of Education instructor Sara Shahbazi hopes for even greater community participation this year
“Every year I am excited to see families meaningfully connecting, sharing joy and engaging with the activities and opportunities provided at the event,” says Dr. Shahbazi.
She notes that the event is made possible only through the planning and dedicated work of the teacher candidates in her course and community partnerships with the Windsor Essex Registered Early Childhood Educators and Connections Early Years Family Centre.
“Teacher candidates are responsible for all of the fundraising, planning and facilitating the activities that are offered throughout the morning,” Shahbazi says.
“I always look forward to the leadership and great sense of accomplishment that is experienced by the teacher candidates as they get to observe first hand their hard work beautifully unfold.”
Over the academic year, teacher candidates have been able to raise over $2,600 for the event.
Gabrielle O’Brien, a second-year B.Ed student who has been a part of the planning and organizing process, will be overseeing the science lab activity station with her group members.
“Our group decided to have students make slime, and for those waiting their turn, we will have a rock and bug provocation stations ready for use,” she says.
Families with young children are invited to attend this free event, and no registration is required.
For more details, visit the Early Years Carousel Facebook page.