Child play is of vital importance to the development of important life skills, habits, and attitudes. So important that the UN High Commission on Human Rights declared play a fundamental right of all children. It is also a lot of fun!

Today ACS Athens celebrates the importance of early childhood fundamental play learning as we inaugurate our Elementary School  Early Childhood playground, introduce our New Conscious Cub Mascot, the all-new Dogs in Learning (DiL) program, and the Bright Start Partnership to create a stronger platform to equip our students with valuable tools for life success.

Dr. Pelonis began by firing up the excitement and anticipation of the elementary students that had gathered for the ceremony and continued by thanking everyone involved with bringing this endeavor to fruition, including the school administration, faculty, school principals, the PTO, and Board of Trustees. She added that “One look is enough to tell you that the new state-of-the-art Early Childhood playground was specially designed to not only help children develop their physical and cognitive skills but also to enhance free exploration, ignite creativity and foster positive and constructive social interaction”.

The ribbon was cut by Dr. Beatrice Cameron, Regional Education Officer, Office of Overseas Schools of the US Department of State, and welcome speeches were given by ACS Athens President Peggy Pelonis, ACS Athens Board Chairperson Mr. Suheil Sabbagh, and Elementary School Principal, Ms. Sophia Moros.

Dr. Cameron expressed her enjoyment in being able to witness the development and growth of ACS Athens throughout the past twenty-five years that she has been visiting the school as Education Officer of ECIS. She also emphasized the importance of play in the development of young learners.

Ms. Sophia Moros, the Elementary School Principal expressed her tremendous gratification with the completion of the Early Childhood Playground. She went on to say,

“Playgrounds are more than what they appear to be, they are essential, safe spaces where children can explore their imaginations and cultivate their skills. The kind of movements children perform in such spaces is proven to boost development and core strength by exercising their fine and gross motor skills”.

The ceremony ended with our young students streaming onto the freshly planted lawn to try out their new playground. From the groundwork, color selection, and track,  to the placement and location of all the structures, every inch was deliberately and meticulously designed and built for them to freely express their imaginations and creativity and to develop crucial cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional skills.