Clearview Early Learning Center wrapped up its school year with a brand-new event designed to offer preschoolers and their families several hours of fun and active learning. The Trike, Trot, and Roll-a-Thon took place at the Monogram Smith River Sports Complex, where children rode bikes, walked, and scooted their way around the grounds with the help of teachers and parents. The three-hour event also emphasized bike safety.
The event was created to promote early childhood development, highlight the importance of play-based learning, and engage families in their child’s education. Students participated in a high-energy day of trike riding, scootering, and rolling activities that supported gross motor skills development.
During the event’s opening, Director of Early Learning Sheilah Williams addressed the children and their families to kick things off. Children, grouped by shirt colors, retrieved their bikes, powered mobiles, and other ride-on toys in shifts. They were given 15-minute intervals to loop around the track—some completing multiple laps with parents happily trailing behind.
“We had talked about it for two or three years in the past,” said preschool teacher Ronnell Penn. The Week of the Young Child fell during the school system’s spring break the following year, and while the event had been postponed due to weather, it finally came to fruition this year.
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Week of the Young Child is “a fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities.”
“Our original date was April 10th, and it was the Week of the Young Child,” Williams said.
The event gave children a chance to express themselves outside the classroom, with additional activities provided for those who finished early.
“It’s a celebration of our young children, and we are so excited to have them here. We want to bring our kids, our parents, and our community together,” said Penn.
“It’s been a great school year. We’ve had a few ups and downs, but nothing major. We are kinda sad to see our four-year-olds move on, but we know the year must come to an end,” said Williams, who hopes to bring the event back next year.
