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Friday, February 23, 1973
University Daily Kansan
Top: Children exhibit their rhythm and moves to the fast fiddlin' tunes of Billy Spears. Bottom: Kevin Polcyn enjoys a refreshing yawn after a strenuous work-out on the playroom floor.
Photos by Carl G. Davaz Jr.
Carolina Lang gleems with an expression of satisfaction.
Enter the World of Child's Play
By KEVIN SHAFER Kanson Staff Writer
The world of a child, if it could be described at all in words, might be summed up as simplistic and beautiful. To the four-year-old children at Hilltop Day Care Center, the world is not only simplistic and beautiful, but also fun.
The setting was a dreary, damp Wednesday—a day which might have appeared to the average adult as one that could only produce problems and gloomy feelings. But the only complaint that children could sense was the fact that all their friends, could reister was that they had to stay inside.
Kelly shily admitted that she had stayed inside all day and played. From left, Andrea and Sarah were proud when the teacher asked them to answer the question, "What is your favorite activity?"
The answer was simple—"blocks." Her reason showed that society had not discouraged her talent when she explained. "To
The future is a hard concept to grasp for a four-year-old. Today-
kids begin to plan for the next day after reaching the point of the child's life.
"Do you hope that it's sunny tomorrow so that you can go outside and play?" she was asked.
"Oh, I'll play inside," she said.
"Would you rather play inside than outside," was the next pressing question.
"No, I can do both," said the young architect with a tactful air of confidence.
Besides the building blocks, other foundations of fun can be experienced at the center. Bouncing balls, miniature fire engines and even a tiny car are fun games of fun for the four-year-old packages of energy.
Assistants and directors lose their images of teachers in the eyes of the children and become friends and playmates. But as is easily demonstrated by games like chess, checkers or even just a romp around the room, playmates can teach their friends.
The center itself was designed and constructed so that the children would be able to play in a "honey atmosphere." The result, of course, was a home where children could play without having to but after visiting Hilton, one would have to admit
At a certain time during the day, even the children shed their roles as playmates as they are each given an opportunity to mingle with children of other ages. At this time, many of the children can participate in activities that help their expert advisors on the hazards of life with the "younger set."
that Old Mother Hubbard certainly had it made in the shade.
The center is divided into different levels for the different age groups. One age group, for instance the four-year-olds, meets together on one floor of the building and other groups meet on other floors.
One unidentified young lad expounded that the children were going to have a valentine party. He was asked when the party
Judy Bencivengo, director of Hilltop Day Care Center.
Entertainment is obviously not lacking in the center. Sometimes the inhabitants of the center enjoy such treats as impromptu musical concerts which turn the ordinary Hilltop into a miniature Woodtop.
The project of one particular day was making valentines. One little girl appeared as if someone had used her for a model because she had every color imaginable artistically smeared over the front of her cotton shirt.
He slyly answered, "Because I did it," which seemed the appropriate answer to such a provocative question.
Spoken like a true leader of tomorrow.
'I don't know," he admitted.
Leslie was busy shaping up a purple valentine that he explained would be given to his mother. He was asked why he chose the color
Projects seem to occupy the children on days in which the weather does not permit playing outside. To the observer, these projects can be considered to be educational.
Top Right: Teacher-aid Mark Winkler and Tracy Mengel tackle the challenges of chess. Top left and bottom: Volunteer Phil Klever explains the finer points of Dr. Suess.