CDC a place for children to learn and have fun

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The gate swings open, laughter and screams are heard. A red ball breaks through a lingering cloud of dust allowing the smallest bit of sunlight to shine over a freshly dug hole. A child grabs the ball, throws it in the direction it came from and continues to empty a sand-filled dump truck back into the hole. Several feet away, another child lays her book on the ground, picks up the red ball and kicks it toward the other end of the playground. Children turn their heads to watch the ball finally stop at the foot of their teacher.

While most children love playing at their own home, the Child Development Center gives parents of Team Barksdale a comparable environment for their children to be loved, taught and to have fun.

"At 8 a.m. most parents have already dropped their child off," said Betsy Welch, Child Development Programs chief. "This is when we have our first activity of the day which is freshly cooked breakfast."

When breakfast is finished, the 3- to 5-year-olds have a morning meeting to share their previous evening, the day's activities and current events. The 1- to 2-year-olds learn sign language and are also observed to see what their interests are, while infants practice rolling over, grabbing, following movements and many other activities necessary for development, Welch said.

"At the CDC we use the creative curriculum produced by teaching strategies," she said . "Everything we do is based on each individual child's interest and level of development. When we offer a larger group activity, children are given the option of selecting a different area to explore."

Following the morning session, children go to center time where they have many activities to choose from.

"Each classroom is divided into a variety of learning centers, kids have guided free play where they're able to choose what they want to do with or without assistance from a teacher," Welch said. "They can choose to go to the block center, library, writing, computer, table toys, or drama center. Our block centers have a large assortment of different blocks to use to create buildings, roads or anything their minds can imagine. We also have dramatic play centers in each room that provide the children opportunities to explore different life roles. Every area of the classroom is full of developmentally appropriate activities and supplies."

At 11 a.m., the children go outside to play on the jungle gym, in the sand and ride bicycles.

"I love playing outside, riding bikes and playing with blocks," said Kyle Konicki, 4, son of Master Sergeant's Jeremy and Kristi Konicki.

After recess, lunch is served and the children take a much needed nap.

"This is a very quiet building between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.," said Welch. "Even if they don't sleep, they are still very quiet."

As the day comes to an end, children go outside and play in the centers one last time. They have a final meeting and wait for their parents to arrive. Each child waves goodbye as they walk out of their classroom door. The teachers begin cleaning up, and as the one remaining student leaves, the last toy is put away. A red ball waits to be played with by another eager child the next morning.