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Chicago Playful Learning Installations

Metropolitan Family Services Chicago, Illinois

PreK-12 Education

Early learning research drives play-based learning installations in three disadvantaged Chicago-area neighborhoods

Metropolitan Family Services partnered with Legat’s preK-12 team and Northwestern University developmental psychology researchers for educational sidewalk installations in three Chicago-area communities: Little Village, North Lawndale, and Aurora. The Playful Learning installations encourage critical thinking, reading, shape and pattern awareness, and math skills for children up to age seven.

HIGHLIGHTS

Math snake helps children associate groupings of numbers
Letter scramble features vowels in blue and consonants in pink
Math dragon uses “points” to encourage shape recognition and counting skills
Life-sized ruler helps children understand measurements

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Making Learning Fun for Underprivileged Children

The Chicago Playful Learning installations came about because of two realities: the academic performance of disadvantaged children falls short of that of their more privileged peers, and children learn best through play and activity. Colorful puzzles challenge children to explore shapes, letters, and basic numbers at their own pace, while a parent or guardian provides insight and direction.

Rooted in Community

Legat’s Justin Banda shares playful learning sidewalk designs with a North Lawndale resident during a community meeting.

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Little Village

The first Chicago-area playful learning project finished in Little Village, where 84% of residents are Latino.

North Lawndale

In the North Lawndale community, 87% of whose residents are black, the installations appear on sidewalks across from the Dr. King Legacy Apartments, as well as on sidewalks near the Central Park Pink Line stop for Chicago Transit Authority’s “L” system and near the Farm On Ogden development.

Aurora

The Playful Learning installations energize an aging playground at Hesed House, Illinois’ second-largest homeless shelter.

Chicago Playful Learning Installations

Early learning research drives play-based learning installations in three disadvantaged Chicago-area neighborhoods

HIGHLIGHTS