By Justin Creech
Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Fort Belvoir Families enjoyed the sunshine and cool temperatures Friday, during the Child, Youth and School Services Family Child Care Fun Day at Lewis Village soccer field.

The event was an opportunity for children from different Family Child Care providers to meet and play with a diversity of children in their age groups.

“I think it’s good for the kids to have peer interaction versus being in a smaller group,” said Samantha Love, Dogue Creek Village resident. “This gives them a bigger group to be in.”

Love and her son, Sadiq, 4, played catch with sticky paddles. Sadiq also played with the inflatable caterpillar and hula hoop.

Getting the opportunity to play with children his age and work on his social skills is a benefit for Sadiq that pleased Samantha Love.

“The children are able to interact and play different games with one another during events like this,” Love said. “They’re able to learn friendship.”

Belvoir FCC Provider, Jennifer Ali, agreed with Love that the event gives the children a chance to develop their social skills.

Ali brought her daughter, Isabelle, 5, to the gathering, as well as two children she watches.

“They learn to share,” Ali said. “If they want a toy, they have to share with the other children. They have to wait their turn, if someone else is playing with the toy they want to play with.”

Having a chance to play outside and get away from the normal routine of being inside is another benefit Ali felt the children were getting.

“I wanted my children to enjoy the nice weather,” said Ali. “Playing outdoors is good for the children and they had a fun day.”

The gathering is part of CYSS’s celebration of Month of the Military Child. The FCC providers were happy to take some time to celebrate the sacrifice that military children make while their parents are deployed and when the Family receives permanent change of station orders.

“The military children are called to sacrifice a lot with their parents being here and then gone,” said Pamela Rennick, Fort Belvoir FCC administrative assistant. “They have constant moves and then they have to change their friends. This is a time to celebrate the children and help them know they are appreciated. We love them and we appreciate what they do and sacrifice.”

The providers also enjoy being a source of comfort for the children while their parents are deployed.

“I try to make them feel comfortable with me every day when their Mom or Dad has to be deployed,” said Ali. “I make that a part of my every day mindset.”