Isobel Mair Family Centre
Sponsored Fundraising Event
Dear Parent/Carer,
As you know, the Family Centre has a well established voluntary Toy Fund; many parents contribute to this and I’m pleased to say our current bank balance is looking fairly healthy.
The run up to Christmas is always such a busy time and staff want to provide the best possible learning experiences for your child over the festive period. This includes planning a Christmas Nativity, Christmas Open Day and Christmas Party with festive goodies. Of course we will be welcoming our red suited festive friend along to join us on this special day and have a gift for every child too! To help us boost the Toy Fund, we ask that you support our upcoming fundraising event.
We had previously planned to host a Zumbathon – however instead we have responded to the interests of children and decided upon a ‘Welly Waddle’. This outdoor experience relates to the Health and Well Being area of the Curriculum for Excellence. Children will be developing skills in movement, balance and co-ordination and they will be having lots of FUN in the process!
Sometimes parents are unhappy about their children playing outdoors in rainy weather. Parents protect their children; it’s their job! It’s natural when weather turns really nasty that many parents want to keep children indoors. However, children are far more resilient and hearty than we give them credit for. Two decades ago, children routinely ran in the sprinkler to cool off on a hot day, made igloos when it snowed, splashed in puddles when it rained. How many do that now? Not many according to statistics. Modern children spend only minutes each day outside in unstructured activities. They spend most of their time, seven hours on average, away from the elements entirely in front of some kind of electronic screen.
Here are some of the key reasons staff at IMFC firmly believe ‘wet is wonderful!’
· Life insurance for the environment – studies show children who play outdoors when they’re young grow up to be more conservation-minded
· Children who play outdoors build better immune systems than those who are ‘protected’ from imperfect weather conditions – The fact is, rain cannot make you sick!
· More and more children are being diagnosed as having Vitamin D deficiency – official figures show that 4,638 children admitted to NHS hospitals in 2013/14 were found to be suffering from this type of deficiency compared with 1,398 cases in 2009/10
· Children who play outdoors have healthier body weights and are less likely to be near-sighted
· Time spent in natural surroundings promotes ‘green time’ which enhances empathy, lengthens attention spans and improves critical thinking skills
· Outdoor spaces can provide dynamic, flexible and versatile learning environments where children can choose, create, change and be in charge of their play environment
· Outdoor play provides challenge and risk within a framework of security and safety. It is a real skill for children to make their own risk analysis and be supported to make good choices. The outdoor environment lends itself to offering challenge, helping children learn how to be safe and to be aware of others
· Outdoor provision supports inclusion and meets the needs of every child through offering a diverse range of play based experiences. We want all children who attend IMFC to experience dodging raindrops, jumping in puddles and singing in the rain – if they don’t, they are missing out on something rather wonderful!
The event will take place on Friday 7th November throughout the day. All children present on the day will participate; parents are welcome to ‘don their wellies’ and join us! Please provide wellies and waterproofs in addition to a dry change of clothes. Please complete the tear off slip to let us know who will be attending:
______
Child’s Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…
I would love to take part in the sponsored Welly Waddle with my child
Name(s):………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I’m sorry, I will not be able to attend:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Please note: we fully understand not all parents/carers are able to attend this type of event due to work or family commitments. Please be assured all children should attend their normal session times whether a parent can attend or not and staff will ensure children all enjoy the experience and have lots of fun!