Building Brains Together launches outdoor play events
By Tim Kalinowski on July 7, 2021.
Herald photo by Tim Kalinowski -
Newfound friends Olivia Cohoe and Dorian Cuevas play a giant Connect 4 game at the Building Brains Together Outdoor Play Event at Henderson Lake on Tuesday.LETHBRIDGE HERALDtkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com
The University of Lethbridge’s Building Brains Together program, in co-ordination with the Lethbridge Public Library, Family Centre, Lethbridge School Division and Holy Spirit School Division, kicked off its twice weekly summer Outdoor Play Event schedule at Henderson Lake on Tuesday.
“We want to see children thrive, and we want to see children have the best possible start so they can have positive outcomes in their schooling, in their relationships, in their work, down the road,” explains Building Brains Together event co-ordinator Vicki Hazelwood. “So we focus on helping children build executive function skills, and also strengthening adult capabilities so they can support their children’s development.”
The Outdoor Play Events take place every Tuesday and Wednesday at different locations throughout the city, and provide both interactive on-site games and activities as well as take home activity packages for children.
“We know play is really foundational in helping children develop well and be healthy,” says Hazelwood. “So we are providing free play kits at each pop-up tent, and giving them a chance to play here as well. And we are also connecting families to services and programs in the community.”
Tuesday’s kick off event had hundreds of children come down to Henderson Lake, says Hazelwood, and featured free hotdogs and slushies for the kids alongside the games.
Another tangible benefit of the event, she says, is it is helping families and children reconnect with each other again after COVID.
“It is just amazing to see so much community out. We want to help families reconnect with each other. It has been a year of isolation, and this is one way we can help families reconnect.”
To view the complete Outdoor Play Event summer schedule visit
http://www.buildingbrains.ca/outdoor-play.
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Well, it’s a really great step taken by the University of Lethbridge to start building the brains together program. I was reading about gambling in the military and while reading about it, I see your post, I found it really interesting, That’s why I am here.