ABSTRACT

Children and their needs are the number one priority and their needs must be met early on in life. Children at Building Blocks Learning Center are constantly learning inside and outside of the classroom and need all areas of learning to be supported. Upgraded gym equipment would greatly benefit children’s gross motor, cognitive, social-emotional, and creative development. Gym time allows children to use and improve gross motor skills such as walking, running, skipping, jumping, climbing, balancing, bending, lifting, and engaging in social and physical games. New equipment will also help children learn how to take turns, foster friendships and learn how to be patient. Providing children with the opportunity to release bottled up energy during gym time will improve behavior and allow children to make good choices in the classroom. Teachers have noticed that when children have adequate gym equipment to use, there is a significant decline in problem behaviors. Gym time not only helps a child’s physical well-being, but also their mental and social developments. This center is at a disadvantage by not having adequate gym equipment, but this grant will help children to thrive with developmentally appropriate and sufficient equipment. Therefore, receiving new gym equipment would be greatly appreciated.