Friday, October 30, 2009
East Texas Baptist University students took a break from their busy schedules to play with local children Thursday.
More than 280 students from Washington Early Childhood Center paid a visit to ETBU's Keys Gym as part of the second annual field day aimed at promoting the importance of good health and exercise.
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Eager three and four-year-olds were greeted by ETBU kinesiology students as they walked off the bus and again as they came through the doors.
Inside, students swarmed around various sections of the gym to partake in a slew of activities.
"We get to see the kids do a variety of things, ride tricycles, throw, jump, hop, skip, run and listen to directions," said Dr. Will Walker, a professor in the kinesiology and exercise science department. "They're constantly moving the entire time they're here."
Walker said about 25 students from his department and the administration of kinesiology and sport class assisted at the event. Students from his motor development class also were on hand to observe many of the activities.
"Some kids are underprivileged and they may not have a tricycle at home, so for them to be able to come out and do it here is fun for them," said ETBU senior Shan Whitaker, who oversaw the young students while they rode on tricycles. "I just think us doing this for them is great."
Ms. Whitaker said the event is important in that it teaches the children the value of exercise and living a healthy lifestyle at a young age.
Walker said he's interested in staging similar events in the near future in hopes of reaching out more to children and community residents.
"We want to establish relationships with the community, and the logical place for us to start through our department is through our school system," said Walker.
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