Project Background

: Children's Interests :: Fun Activities :: Participation :

Fun Activities

Possibilities uses a process called community mapping to collect and provide information to parents about activities for child learning and fun that are available in the communities where they live. Community mapping is simply a way to answer two very basic questions:

1. Where are the natural children's learning opportunities in our community?
2. How do we find and take advantage of them?

Possibilities uses a three-step process to map community activities:

1. Identify the kinds of activities you want to map. These may include:
   • Amusements and Attractions
   • Arts and Entertainment Activities
   • Clubs and Organizations
   • Community Celebrations
   • Family Outings
   • Learning and Educational Activities
   • Outdoor Activities
   • Parent and Child Activities
   • Parks and Recreation
   • Sports
2. Gather information about available activities/resources (both written information from sources like brochures, directories, and visitors' guides, and information obtained by interviewing knowlegeable community members).
3. Make the information widely available and easily accessible to children and families. Possibilities does this by distributing Spotlights Bright Ideas Pages filled with community-specific ideas and information about interest-based learning and fun.