Gordon School is a forward-thinking and socially focused school for families looking to raise children to think, question, lead, and collaborate confidently in an increasingly complex world. Students from nursery school to eighth grade engage in a challenging and inspiring multicultural curriculum that fuels their innate curiosity and promotes social and emotional growth. Gordon is in East Providence on a twelve-acre campus with 70% open space; outdoor exploration and play are a part of every student’s day. Learning takes place among a diverse population of students and teachers who reflect the many cultures in the greater Rhode Island community. Gordon graduates are intellectual leaders and joyful learners with true empathy: young people who will make a positive impact on their world.
Winter has already felt tedious and long. The snowstorms and cold snaps have led to cabin fever and squirrely children. I have been desperate to find an indoor activity that would both delight my children and wear them out. So I jumped at the opportunity to bring my five-year-old and two-year-old to Come Play! at Gordon School for the chance to explore, create, play, and shake some sillies out.
With an almost four year age gap between my children, I always worry that any activity we attend will cater solely to the needs of one child and not the other. But my fears at Gordon were quickly assuaged as the faculty and staff welcomed both my children with warm smiles and plenty of age-appropriate activities. While I made the decision to join the kindergarten rotation playgroup, my toddler easily kept up with her big sister, and staff members frequently checked in with me to make sure that both my girls had their needs met and were engaged in projects that were developmentally appropriate.
At Come Play!, we enjoyed four different group rotations: the IDEA lab, music class, crafting in a kindergarten classroom, and science class. I was impressed by how well timed each activity was and how each rotation had at least one thing that piqued my children’s intellectual curiosity. We started in the IDEA lab, where my older daughter practically bolted over furniture and fixed objects to get her hands on the big blue blocks so she could design and build intricate ball ramps. The teacher gave her plenty of space for exploration, but also worked with her on some design ideas to help her ball go further down the ramp.
Before we knew it, we were whisked away to music class. While my daughters were initially disappointed to stop tinkering, they were immediately mesmerized by Ms. Baird and her guitar. In her bright and inviting classroom, they danced, sang, and laughed. When it was time to go, my toddler ran into Ms. Baird’s arms for a hug goodbye.
Next, we entered a beautiful classroom brimming with activities. As they snacked on apples, my toddler happily colored and explored while my oldest made a beeline for the reading nook and read Dr. Seuss out loud to a small group of children who had gathered around her. I briefly chatted with kindergarten teacher Ms. Sluss, whose warm demeanor and friendly smile made me feel comfortable and welcome. She fawned over my children (what mother doesn’t love that?) and was so excited to open her classroom to a new group of children.
We finished our rotation with Ms. Motta in the young kindergarten classroom. While my toddler happily splashed in the water table, my oldest was thrilled to work on a science experiment of combining baby oil and water in a bottle to make her own waves in the “ocean.” With two happy children in tow, we ended our morning with a snack (all healthy options of either fruit, string cheese, or yogurt, which I am so, so grateful for!) and the chance to run and climb on the playground. My children did not want to leave Gordon, and my oldest declared that not only did they have the “best playground ever,” but that she also wanted to start going to school there “right away!”
What I loved most about Gordon School was that it is truly a diverse environment that celebrates and welcomes all people while helping children explore the wonders of the world around them. It is clear from our experience at Come Play! that Gordon is a child-centered school with so much to offer its community. So Gordon, thank you for letting us spend the doldrums of winter playing with you.
