Using a stencil to paint a huge flower on the Prospect playground are, from left, Robyn Palmer, Sean Burns, Lucas Parsons, Amy Burns and Karyl Price.
Amy Burns knows there is a direct connection between healthy physical activity and higher elementary reading scores.
Burns, the occupational therapist at Prospect and Woodland elementary schools, and a small group of volunteers worked this week to add splashes of color to the asphalt playground at Prospect.
Burns’ hope is that the more colorful, inviting playground, staffed by community “play mentor” volunteers, will make recesses an enjoyable experience for all students.
“I noticed at recess that there wasn’t a lot to do for many of the students,” Burns said. “There is limited playground equipment. If four balls are available they will be taken over by stronger, more dominant children, leaving most out of the play.
“This structured recess project will offer colorful areas where games can be played but it won’t be successful if children don’t know how to play together. That’s where the community volunteers come in. They will help students learn how to wait and take turns, cooperate and support others and avoid bullying.”
Huge plastic stencils, paint and brushes were provided by Karyl Price, project coordinator of Richland Public Health’s Creating Healthy Communities campaign.
“Amy is working to provide a healthy physical outlet for kids and we are glad to be part of it,” Price said. “This is a great example of helping to create a healthy community.”
Price was among the playground painters on Thursday. Others were Burns’ husband, Sean; friend Robyn Palmer and Lucas Parsons.
Parsons, who enjoys painting murals, acknowledged that he had “gotten into a little trouble” painting graffiti a few years ago. He said the Prospect project offered an opportunity to give back to the community.
“Amy knew about my painting murals. She contacted my mom about the work at Prospect and I was glad to help,” Parsons said.
As a therapist who works one-on-one with young children, Burns is convinced that enjoyable recess experiences will result in improved academics.
“Children need to burn energy in positive ways. If they have fun at recess, they will return to the classroom better prepared to learn. That is very important to improving the reading scores that third-graders must achieve to move on to fourth grade,” Burns said.
Prospect’s poverty rate, as measured by the number of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches, is about 95 percent, she said.
“Most of these kids don’t have Y memberships or take karate classes. They aren’t involved in many of the activities that other kids are. They tend to just be at home, often spending too much time on video games,” Burns said.
She’s looking for adult volunteers who will help to make the structured recess project as success. Recess begins at 11:45 a.m. for kindergarteners, followed by grades one, two and three at 30-minute intervals until 1:45 p.m.
“Teachers can’t do all of this by themselves. They are busy monitoring the entire playground to ensure safety,” Burns said.
Anyone interested in helping with one or more of the recess periods may call Burns at 419-560-3236 or reach her by email at [email protected].
“Unstructured play is valuable and students are not required to participate in structured activities, but having a few extra adults available to supervise, facilitate and monitor structured activities will help kids who want and need help in learning how to play together,” Burns said.