You’re never too old to play. That’s what several Kenmore East students recently learned during a special trip to the Explore and More Museum in downtown Buffalo.

In early December, students in Mrs. Schildwaster’s parenting class, along with students in the Take a Look at Teaching Club led by Mrs. Borgisi and Mrs. Craig, visited the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. children’s museum at Canalside. The museum has 43,000 square feet of exhibits that showcase the history, innovation, and wonder of Buffalo and Western New York. The unique opportunity allowed students to explore various aspects of growth and learning through interactive exhibits.

“It makes perfect sense for both groups, dedicated to child development, to collaborate in exploring and understanding the benefits of play while satisfying their curiosity,” Schildwaster said. “This partnership has created a valuable educational opportunity for both programs, showcasing their interconnected elements.”

From classroom discussions to understanding the important role “play” plays in development, students participated in activities that emphasized the key stages of childhood. This enriching experience, which also included a Q&A session with staff, not only broadened their knowledge, but also inspired them to think about how they could implement what they learned in their parenting journeys and future careers.

“It’s a great spot for kids to be creative and have fun,” Kenmore East junior Maria Judge said about the trip to the museum. “I loved the open-ended play, and it gave me some good ideas for my future classroom.”

“One of the first things taught in Parenting and Child Development is that 0-3 are the most important years of a person's life,” Schildwaster said. “This is when we learn to love and trust. This is when lack of stimulation and negative experiences have the greatest impact. We think they don't know, but they know, and it can affect their lifelong learning.”