For the School District of Lancaster, early childhood education is rooted in connection. Connection to learning. Connection to family. And connection to the broader community our students are growing up in. That philosophy came to life during a recent Pre-K family engagement event held at the Hands-on House, where students and their families spent the morning learning through play.
The annual event invited each Pre-K student to attend with one grown-up, creating intentional space for families to explore together in an environment designed specifically for early childhood. From the moment families arrived, the museum filled with movement and curiosity. Children climbed, built, imagined, and collaborated, fully immersed in hands-on experiences that encouraged them to use their bodies, voices, and creativity.
“Today, we’re hosting a Pre-K family engagement event where families can come and play together,” said Elizabeth Esbenshade-Fluck, PreK Coach. “It’s important to get our Pre-K students out into the community and to give them opportunities to engage in learning with a grown-up in their family. Hands-on House is a great space for that because kids are using their whole bodies to play and connect.”
Throughout the museum, students gravitated toward exhibits that reflected both imagination and real-world experiences. Some carefully navigated the pretend grocery store, selecting items and role-playing daily routines they often see adults perform. Others delivered mail at the post office, while many were drawn to the construction area, where building, climbing, and cooperation took center stage.
“It’s really neat to see what kids are drawn to,” Esbenshade-Fluck shared. “Some love the grocery store. Some love the post office. Some are all about construction. You can see their interests come alive.”
While the setting felt playful, the learning was intentional. Pre-K instruction is deeply play-based, allowing children to build foundational skills through exploration rather than traditional instruction. What families witnessed at Hands-on House closely mirrors what happens every day in Pre-K classrooms across the district.
“We do a lot of the same types of activities in the classroom,” Esbenshade-Fluck explained. “Sometimes people don’t realize that play is still learning. Social-emotional development, communication, imagination, and problem-solving all happen through play.”
The morning also highlighted the importance of embodied learning, learning that happens through movement and physical engagement. As children climbed structures, balanced their bodies, and manipulated materials, they strengthened gross motor skills and coordination. At the same time, they practiced turn-taking, cooperation, and self-regulation while navigating shared spaces with peers and family members.
“So much research shows that embodied learning is how children really learn,” Esbenshade-Fluck said. “When their bodies are involved, learning sticks. There’s so much of that happening here.”
For families, the experience offered a new perspective on how learning shows up beyond academics. Many caregivers observed their children thriving in activities that helped them make sense of the adult world. Grocery shopping, delivering mail, and building structures allowed children to step into roles they often observe but rarely get to lead.
“Four-year-olds are often just along for the adult world,” Esbenshade-Fluck reflected. “Here, they get to interact with it in ways that are meaningful to them. That connection makes learning feel real.”
Equally important was the time families spent together. The event created space for shared discovery, conversation, and joy without distractions. It reinforced the idea that learning does not require screens or worksheets to be powerful. It happens through imagination, movement, and connection.
“When kids can see the connection between what they’re learning and real life, it becomes more meaningful,” Esbenshade-Fluck said. “They gravitate toward it. They hold onto it.”
The Pre-K experience at Hands-on House reflects the district’s commitment to strong family partnerships and community-based learning. By inviting families into the learning process and meeting children where they are developmentally, the School District of Lancaster continues to support the growth of the whole child.
When children are given the opportunity to learn through play, and when families are part of that journey, learning becomes something they can feel, remember, and carry with them well beyond the day. For more photos, visit us on Facebook.
