The Glenview New Church School’s 10th annual Winter Wonderland on Feb. 2 was designed to engage kids with their love of play and the infinite possibilities of their own imaginations.
The event was geared toward kids ages two to six and is aimed at getting them out of the house while encouraging local families to socialize. Organizers say the event also had the dual goal of promoting enrollment in the preschool and kindergarten programs at the Glenview New Church School, a Christian-focused program offered to kindergarten through fifth grade.
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Kendra Paraskevopoulos is the school’s director of admissions and recruitment. She is also a preschool teacher and designed the event to provide sensory interactions for a young audience.
Winter Wonderland activities included a craft project, bouncy castle, sensory tables, building blocks, car tracks and face painting, along with interactive performances by a children’s musician.
“One of the many fun things about preschoolers is that they are in the midst of exploring the world around them and they do that is through their senses — touching, feeling, looking, smelling and licking,” Paraskevopoulos said. “At that age, it’s difficult to be asked to look at something without being able to reach out and touch it, so we try to find activities that combine two senses, like touch and smell or touch and sound.”
This age group also loves music, organizers say, and the entertainer for the Winter Wonderland is always a big draw for families.
Jeanie Bratschie, known as Windy City Kinder-Rocker Jeanie B., performed at the event.
“I’ve learned from experience how to bring kids into a performance, and it’s not always about singing louder, sometimes kids respond to quieter overtures, but it’s always about physical engagement,” Bratschie said.
Sarah Piotrowski of Glenview says she lives near the school and brings her kids to the event every year.
“It’s wonderful to attend a winter event that is geared towards parents and their smaller children,” Piotrowski said. “It’s really a special opportunity for us to meet and connect with other kids and families in our community.”
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.