About Us

I grew up in a family of 8, running around with brothers and sisters after school each day and all summer long.  During these times when I was on my own with brothers/ sisters/ friends, I learned so much ... how to not flip the wagon while being pulled behind my big brother on his bike traveling at top speed around a curve (centrifugal force), who to trust (not my brothers), bossing around my little sisters and their friends left me with no one to play with (social skills), and that I could fill a boring day with my own games and mind challenges (creativity).  

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 Play is how children acquire the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive strengths that enable them to manage the hills & valleys in the roads of life.  Yet freedom for children to play outdoors, with other kids, without adult supervision has decreased, while anxiety, depression, helplessness & behavioral problems in children have increased.  

 

Parents want their children to grow up happy & healthy, but fear of injury, abduction & molestation are leading parents to “control” their children’s play.  I found myself signing my daughter up for multiple instructor-led classes after school so that she had something to do while my husband & I worked.  

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Data shows that unstructured play (open-ended, creative, and improvised, without specific learning objectives or rules) promotes critical development, cognitive, social, physical, and emotional well-being, relieves stress, and increases happiness, self-esteem, ability to adapt, and overall psychological and physical health in adulthood.  Without play, children are increasingly susceptible to external influences, impaired development, diminished resilience, fragile and shallower interpersonal relationships, and poorer mental health.  

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I started Exploration After School to give kids an option for free, self-driven, creative, screen-free, fun PLAY, and give parents an option to work with the peace of mind that their child is safe and immersed in the work of play!