Play4All

“We don’t have to see it as a choice between play or academics, play should be academics for preschoolers.”

Alissa Mwenelupembe, the Senior Director for Early Learning Program Accreditation at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Grasshopper and Honeybee Playground 1
Sensory Garden 1
Mockingbird and Songbird Playground Awning 1
Tadpole and Dewdrop Playground
lyla rory splash day.jpg
music day outside with Mr Anthony.jpg
Sensory Garden 2
Georgia 2.jpg
Grasshopper and Honeybee Playground 2
Mockingbird and Songbird Playground

Play Fosters Growth.

Play is a pivotal part of the learning experience here at Mainspring Schools because of the incredible benefits it provides for a child's cognitive growth.

  • Strengthens and increases neural connections in the brain

  • Build and strengthen the brain’s prefrontal cortex

  • Helps a child learn, solve problems, and gain knowledge from their physical environment.

“The Power of Play: 6 Benefits for Child Development,” by Lori Blahey 

The continued growth of Mainspring Schools comes from our school’s values: play, connection, community, empowerment, and excellence. Our annual Play4All campaign focuses on ways to improve our playscapes here at Mainspring and make them better than ever, as learning spaces for our kids and as community spaces for our families. 

Last year’s successful Play4All campaign raised over $40,000. As a result, today we are:

  • Holding music classes outside in the shade of a new Pre-K Playground awning

  • Utilizing our sensory garden for therapy sessions and trampoline breaks

  • Growing aromatic herbs and plants for our nutrition program and curriculum

  • Adding new garden beds to the Pre-K playground

When you invest in our outdoor play areas you become a part of the foundation for growth across our community. 

This year, Play4All will help us:

  • Fuel our garden project, Food4Thought, which will radically expand our campus garden spaces and teach young learners about where our food comes from

  • Install natural climbing structures for proprioceptive sensory needs

  • Build new shade coverings for the infant and toddler playgrounds

  • And so much more

Every donation makes a huge difference. For instance:

  • $50 funds gardening supplies for one student

  • $200 provides outdoor curricular activities for one classroom

  • $750 supports three months of nature-based family activities

  • $2,000 builds one natural climbing structure

  • $5,000 funds a landscape architect design process

  • $10,000 sponsors one complete play area

Please consider making an impact in the growth of Mainspring students, families, and our natural spaces. Thank you!