43
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Students balanced on a beam trying to cross the golden river on Feb. 14 on their way home from Valentine Land on Feb. 14.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Preschool students help pilot the "plane" home from Valentine Land on Feb. 14 at the Austintown Community Church Preschool and Childcare Center.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Upon exiting Valentine Land, preschool students balanced their way across the golden sea, heading back to the "plane" that would take them back home on Feb. 14 at the Austintown Community Church Preschool and Childcare Center.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Preschool teachers Elain Ruby and Lou Ellen Oakes piloted the "plane" traveling home from Valentine Land at Austintown Community Church Preschool and Child Care on Feb. 14.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Preschoolers in Elain Ruby and Lou Ellen Oakes' class took a trip to Valentine Land on Feb. 14 at the Austintown Community Church Preschool Childcare Center.
By JESSICA HARKER
The Austintown Community Church Preschool and Childcare Center had their annual “trip” to Valentine Land on Feb. 14.
“This is a fun thing we do every year for the kids,” said Director Amy Teerters.
She said the school has been doing this for more than 25 years, and that it’s not only fun, but a way for students to learn without knowing it.
Students start the journey by taking a seat in a “plane,” fully decked out with seats and a control panel with preschool teachers taking on the role of pilots.
Preschoolers hand over their tickets, and take a seat on the plane.
“They are asked to help fly the plane, so they rock their chairs during turbulence, lean one way or another when we turn, and raise their arms for pick up or take off,” Teerters said.
Teerters said that the teachers have them “look out the window” using their imagination to see polar bears and jungle animals before landing in Valentine Land.
The preschoolers then have to find Valentine Land, by following a row of hearts on the floor.
“We have other items also taped on the ground, so the students use their compare and contrast skills to determine which signs on the ground are actual hearts and they follow those,” Teerters said.
Students then have to pass the golden river, and spot the heart shaped fish with in.
Teerters said that to cross the river, students must walk on a balance beam, helping them gain their balancing skills.
“Everything we do has an educational aspect to it, but the students never realize they are learning,” Teerters said.
Once students enter Valentine Land they have a variety of stations set up for them to play at.
Students are able to play at a pretend post office, mailing their Valentine’s Day cards, or work at a candy store, make valentines, and use play dough.
“All of the stations are very interactive, and the sensory table is so important because it gets young people used to different feelings and textures,” Teerters said.
After their time in Valentine Land, students walk back over the golden river to the plane, and travel back to the school.
“It’s a great way to have them learn something new, which is important that they do every day at this age,” Teerters said.
This year, the Austintown Community Church Preschool and Childcare Center will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in September.