Stimulating the mind and promoting positive child- parental interaction, the United Way of Central Kansas has another new activity that will enhance the communities of Claflin and Great Bend. Called the Born Learning Trails, this walk combines exercise with 10 educational signs that include activities for parent and child.
“There are fun activities to do with a child,” said Julie Bugner-Smith, director of the UWCK. “It will help parents engage kids and help them to learn.
“This will be an asset to the community,” she said.
There will be two trails, one in Great Bend and one in Claflin. In Great Bend, the centralized trail site is pending approval with the Barton County Commissioners, and in Claflin the trail will be at the Claflin Rec Center, at the old grade school playground area.
Smith has found community partners along with the United Way donations to make the trail happen. The Young Professionals organization will install the signs. That date is set for Aug. 2.
This involves installing the sign posts in concrete as well as painting letters and activities on the sidewalk.
“Our community goes above and beyond in giving,” said Smith. “The community makes my job easy.”
“I think it will be a really neat project,” said Christina Hayes, Young Professionals. “The YP are excited to be involved in the project that will mean so much to young parents.”
The Harms Trust and the United Way will pay for the signs in Great Bend, and the United Way and CUNA will pay for the signs in Claflin.
An employee group with CUNA chose the Born Learning Trails as one of the projects to help fund because of the merits of the project.
“It’s a visible improvement in the community that we could sponsor to encourage families,” to interact and get out in nature, said Brenda Kaiser, CUNA.
The signs are:
• Watch! Stop! Learn! Play! - Asks the child to lead the way by watching the things the child likes to do and what captures their interest.
• Look! Learn! Laugh! -  Stand in circles, looking at each other and making each other smile or laugh.
• Talk! Listen! Sing! - Listen to the birds and ask what are they saying?
• See! Say! Point! Read! Point to the letters on the ground and say the sound.
• Imagine! Create! Pretend! Tell stories about yourself and your family.
• Jump! Clap! Skip! Move! Pretend to move like an animal. Walk backwards. Follow the leader.
• Hop! Toss! Shake! Wiggle! Play hopscotch. Take turns.
• Describe! Compare! Learn! Look at the shapes on the ground to talk about.
• Look! Listen Touch! Thank! Find a flower or tree. Touch it and talk about it.