Got Jell-O? Are you a preschooler who’s been told to not play with your food?
It’s one thing to spill gelatin on the floor and it’s another to not have to courteously clean it up.
When’s the last time you were told you didn’t have to pick up after yourself?
Jell-O, pretty much its own food group, caused sticky fingers to dig in during 90 minutes of creative play at Messy Morning, a free Glencoe Park District event Jan. 31 at the Takiff Center Early Childhood wing, 999 Green Bay Road.
Maintenance crew members, who dropped in to check on messy progress, good-naturedly smiled at the suggestion they might be working late on maybe their busiest Saturday of the year.
There were yards of plastic coverings temporarily shielding cabinets. Wet paint signs would not be needed for preventive maintenance, after all.
“Messy Morning is a fabulous time for families to engage their children in messy fun, without the mess to clean at home,” said Lisa Panizo, early childhood director.
“We believe in the power of play at the Glencoe Park District,” said Panizo. “I love seeing the look on children’s faces when they are elbow deep into paint and the sheer joy and excitement that comes from the experience.”
An estimated 200 to 300 people attended Messy Morning. Families went from room to room, where children tried plunger painting, butterfly wand splatters or getting squeaky clean in shaving cream.
“We’re a play-based curriculum so we really focus on the importance of play and how much fun and how much learning you can have through play,” said Naomi Garvett of Wheeling, early childhood program manager. “This is the best ever, watching children experience and getting those smiles … and seeing them leave with a happy face.”
Kids had shaving cream on their noses while they were nose deep in concentration.
Christine Franjoine of Winnetka watched as her daughter Julianna molded a shaving cream cone that looked like a snowcapped mountain inspired by the hit Disney movie “Frozen.”
Does Elsa, the Disney “Frozen” princess, live on that white mountain?
Julianna nodded yes.
“She’s having a blast,” said Julianna’s mother. “She’s in a trance and could spend the whole day here.”
“We love the Glencoe Park District,” said Kate Gamewell of Highland Park, whose son Andy Gamewell is a student here and had spiky, sticky hair.
“It’s great to have activities for them to do in the winter, keeps them busy,” said Ben Port of Glencoe, who brought his daughter Hannah, 3.
“I appreciate that you can get messy,” said Allison Lyons of Deerfield, the parent of Rachel, 2. “I like the fact that sensory motor skills are reinforced.”
Jane Atlas of Glencoe spent time with her grandchildren, twins Anna and Lucas Estanga, 2, of Glencoe.
“It’s fabulous,” Atlas said. “(Glencoe Park District) programs are wonderful and they treat my children like royalty. “It’s a wonderful grandma day.”
“We’ve been talking about Messing Morning for two days,” Atlas added.
Beryl Wynter, a Winnetka caregiver, brought her charges, Elizabeth Bhatia, 5, and Elizabeth’s sister Violet, 2, both of Winnetka.
“This is beautiful,” Wynter said. “I saw this (listing) in the paper and wouldn’t not come to this!
“How they can stick their hands in there, not even worrying about the floor or getting their clothes dirty. … whoever thought of this, I think it’s awesome!”
To learn more about Glencoe Park District preschool programs, contact Lisa Panizo, early childhood director, at 847-835-7534. Also visit http://www.glencoeparkdistrict.com.
