OKMULGEE, Okla – On Wednesday, Feb 14 the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okmulgee Head Start held a Valentine’s Day celebration. The center organized a full day of celebration with a card exchange for the students, a glow party, and special treats including cupcakes and raspberry floats. Head Start parents were also invited to share in the festivities.
The glow party kicked off after lunch. Students and their parents got to twirl, spin, and trip the light fantastic for the dance party. The center’s staff decorated a large room with glow-in-the-dark and neon decorations. The party was complete with glow necklaces, wands, and sticks.
Movement and Childhood Development
Physical activities and movement do more than just blow off energy. Movement and physical activities within learning environments are shown to improve learning outcomes and school readiness. Recent studies in early childhood development underscore the importance of movement and physical activities. The reports indicate that movement, like dance, allows young children to develop motor skills, social and emotional skills, and physical awareness of themselves and others around them. But learning-through-play enthusiasts have recognized that movement and dance create joy, which was fully palpable and fully aglow as students, parents, and staff celebrated Valentine’s Day.
