Enriching Development Through Play

$732
Donated
73% of $1,000 goal
16
Donors
This campaign ended on March 30, 2026, but you can still make a gift to University of Illinois Foundation by clicking here!
About

Gifts from Day of Giving will be used to purchase new materials for the classroom that will enrich development and learning through play. The physical environment allows for children to grow and development through thoughtfully planned activities and materials in intentional and well defined play spaces.

According to the Administration for Children and Families, from the ages of birth to 5, children’s brains are developing rapidly and their capacity for learning is unparalleled. In these formative years, children are laying the cognitive and behavioral foundation for the rest of their development and learning. During this period, they are highly susceptible to the influence of the environment; safe, nurturing, enriching environments strengthen early brain development, while stressful or unstable environments can harm it. When children attend high-quality ECE during these important years, they benefit from enhanced cognitive and social-emotional development. Society also benefits not only because more parents can participate in the workforce (which presents immediate economic and social benefits for families), but also because children may do better in the future in terms of educational success, earning potential, and adult health.

Children who are healthy and prepared when they enter kindergarten do better in school and are more likely to graduate and enroll in college. We are investing in those who could then turn around and return to campus as potential students and employees.

Small amounts of $5-50 will help purchase new learning materials. Larger gifts will help purchase area rugs that help to support a comfortable and warm space conducive to learning.


Donor Affiliations
Suitcase icon57%Faculty/Staff
Friends icon32%Friends
Gradhat icon19%Alumni
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Abigail Kroke
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