WE SEE CHILDREN

Who have newly mastered a skill, empathize with and eagerly assist other children who are still learning.

“When we talk about really seeing children, we mean truly being with them. In Silence. With no agenda. It is only then that we can see the capability, intelligence, caring, curiosity and depth of passion in every molecule of their being.”

Susan Caruso, Executive Director and Founder, Sunflower Creative Arts

WE OPENED OUR DOORS

This year we opened our doors to graduate as well as undergraduate students and in-service teachers to SEE children and the transformative power of learning in a play-based environment, where adults facilitate exploration guided by each child’s unique wonder, curiosity and interests.

Who feel safe to utilize materials in unique ways, allowing their curiosity to guide their learning.

At Sunflower, children are given the space to explore natural phenomena, test (and retest) hypotheses and adjust based on what they learn, which by definition shares a lot of the key components of the scientific method of discovery. Scott Cooper, Sunflower Parent

SUNFLOWER OUTREACH

Through the bold outreach efforts of our Sunflower Play Initiative, we are encouraging the Delray and greater community to SEE play as a critical cross-cultural component of childhood, crucial for every aspect of learning and growth.

Sunflower Play Initiative

The Play Initiative partnered with: Delray Beach Children’s Garden/ Milagro Afterschool Program/Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County, Inc./Delray Beach Public Library/Delray Parks and Recreation/Arts Garage/Wise Tribe

2018-2019 COMPLIMENTARY COMMUNITY EVENTS

Community Presentation of the Sunflower Play Initiative

Who thrive when we all come together as a community to support them in ways that spark their creativity, grow their confidence and encourage curiosity.

Over 500 people attended our Ice Castle Festival & Play Day, our annual community celebration of Play + Nature + Art. 500 Volunteer hours made this event happen!

Our Sunflower Roots & Shoots Club, a part of Jane Goodall’s worldwide kids’ activist group, allows us to SEE children performing service projects together that demonstrate concern for the environment, animals and the human community.

7942 Total Volunteer Hours.

$24,156 raised for programs at our annual Hop, Skip & a Jump-A-Thon

During Great Give 2019, $18,594 raised from generous donations and matching funds to support Sunflower’s need-based Scholarship Fund.

14 Business Sponsors supported our Community Events.

Over $21,000 in Capital Fund donations. Remaining Goal: $586,000

Thanks Batchelor Foundation for your continued support! A $20,000 Batchelor grant supported our need-based Scholarship Fund.

Thank you for your generous donations. 

Every effort has been made to acknowledge contributions correctly and completely from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Should you discover an error or omission, please call us at 561 501-6615.  

Thank you to our 2018 – 2019 Fiscal Year Silver Sponsors, celebrating over 25 years of Sunflower!

“Today, I watched four children in our Seedlings Preschool gather dirt and wood pieces. They negotiated, argued, encouraged each other’s ideas and laughed. Through my adult lens, I only saw a messy pile of dirt; but the children had built a two-story hotel for the worms that were displaced when we dug up plants. This example shows that a child’s world is so much more than we think. As a Seedling parent who observed children play for five years, I’ve realized that children are the natural teachers in the world, not us. Humankind will be better when we follow their lead.”

Simone Chin, Sunflower Parent and Assistant Director of the Sunflower Play Initiative

SUPPORT SUNFLOWER

To support our programs and continue to raise awareness about the many benefits of child-directed play, we invite you to click the donate button above in the upper right. Every gift makes a difference!  

Board of Directors, 2018-2019

Jennifer Ligeti, President

Edgar An, Ph.D., Vice President

Susan Dubbin, Treasurer

Victoria Green, Secretary

Susan Caruso, Executive Director

William L. Epstein, P.A.

Lora Peers McCoy