Play, Play, Play

Here is a story that 'warms the cockles'. The Arizona Daily Start reports on a preschool program that was started in 1948, is owned and managed by parents, and became fully integrated three years before it became state law in 1954. The Tuscon Community School hosts about 80 children from ages 3 to 6. All learning takes place through PLAY. It was the mission back in 1948 and it is still the mission.

"Children should be able to try things out. Play is how you learn things," says school Director Mary Sue Houser, a proud alum of the school herself back in the late 1960s. Parents can't just simply 'drop off' their kids and drive into the sunrise every morning. It is expected that each parent puts in 12 to 18 days a year on site! "Involved" is the operative word in this unique school.

Activities are split between inside and outside, with inside learning also revolving around play. There are pianos to bang on and art projects to tackle - but NO coloring between the lines. Annual fees range from around $1,500 to $3,300, depending on age and number of days attended. Scholarships are available, and the school holds regular fundraisers.

Reporter Bonnie Henry comments that, yes, kids will still be kids. When they get too rambunctious, they're given 'good work to do'. "We give them hammer and nails and something to work on", says the principal.

Now that sounds like kids being kids.
Michael Cordier