- Emma Blystone
The Family Learning Center (FLC) program visited the Gathering Place for a classroom field trip! This outing, the first of this school year, is part of FLC’s initiative to foster an inclusive place of learning outside of the classroom, where children can play with peers and parents can share moments with their kids and each other.
FLC staff led families through the park’s seven play realms, each offering activities for children at different developmental levels. With sensory-friendly elements and accessible paths, the Gathering Place allowed children to enjoy new experiences with their families’ encouragement. Ashton Troche, a mother on the field trip, said, “It was great to see [my son] playing on structures I hadn’t thought to let him navigate independently previously.” Troche added that she was nearly brought to tears when she witnessed her son’s face when he realized he could walk up and down the large multi-height structures on the playground.
While some students were fearless in exploring play areas, others found comfort in visual cards that helped ease transitions between activities. For children accustomed to a routine, the inclusion of familiar elements—such as circle time in the Volcanoville play area—added a sense of comfort.
Additionally, the week prior to the field trip, teachers and therapists incorporated Gathering Place “social stories” into class time. These social stories – a pre-trip activity designed to prepare students for changes in their schedule – played a significant role in easing potential anxieties.
As children played, parents enjoyed moments of respite and connection with one another. Lucia Perez said she was excited to meet another Mom of a child with a tracheostomy on the field trip. “I’d never met another Trach family outside of our hospital,” Perez said. For many, it was their first time visiting the Gathering Place, discovering just how accessible and enjoyable the park could be for their child with special needs. The experience was a reassuring reminder that Tulsa’s beloved park could be a safe, fun and welcoming place for their family.
By incorporating outings like this into the program, FLC aims to empower caregivers with resources to foster their child’s development and feel encouraged to take similar trips independently. Such initiatives further distinguish Little Light House’s Family Learning Center program as an inclusive community that cultivates joy, connection and a proud sense of belonging.