On Tuesday, November 12, the newly formed Mustangs Care Club and the on-campus Child Development Center (CDC) united to have a community project called Helping Hands. The club organized the event to diversify its involvement within the university community. Members of Mustangs Care were divided into the three Pre- Kindergarten classrooms in the CDC, where they read books to the children. The books were about how children can help their friends by sharing, playing, or working together. Mustangs Care members provided coloring pages for the children. They also included a handprint art activity. The purpose of the activity was to represent teamwork, friendship, and how everyone can make a change when people work together.
The Mustang Newspaper Staff met with Mikila Crespin, a CDC Pre- K teacher, to get her thoughts on the Helping Hands project.
Q: What did you think of the Mustangs Care: Helping Hands project?
A: I thought it was a really good idea that the club decided to come in and do an activity with the children. I was a very good experience for them. I think it’s nice that the club came in to hang out with them because we don’t get to see a lot of the university in the CDC.
Q: Did you think the project was developmentally appropriate for the children?
A: I thought it was very appropriate as far as where the children’s abilities are. The stories read to the students were good and it really hit the benchmarks of how to treat others, how to make and keep friends, and learning the right ways on how to be a polite member of society. They really focused on how to show empathy. It is something important that they will use when growing up, especially now at this age and with everything going on in the world. Empathy is lacking in the United States and in the whole world. Coloring gives them a chance to express themselves and the handprints was a good representation of working together.
Q: Do you think it would be beneficial for the club and the CDC if Mustangs Care came into the classrooms to do more activities like this?
A: I definitely think it would be beneficial. It would be good for the children, even just a variety of simple activities. My kids will do art activities, but they love moving or outdoor activities as well. Also, a lot of the Pre-K kids are part of the community. However, most of their parents are in WNMU, either working or attending classes. It is kind of nice that they are able to relate to that. The children say things like, “Oh, my mom goes to Western too!” The children get really excited to go to campus. We try to make field trips to the WNMU Museum or to different departments. Also, if their parents go to Western, it also keeps the legacy going. It is sustainability for the university.
The Mustang Newspaper Staff also asked Mustangs Care members how their experience was during this project.
Ruby Garcia said, “I thought this was a good project to introduce the importance of community involvement to children starting at a young age. It was a fun experience.”
“It is definitely one of my favorite projects we have done as a group. I’m glad we were able to read books about helping your friends and talk about the importance of kindness to others. I think Mustangs Care should continue book readings more often because the kids enjoyed having us there, sharing their thoughts, and talking to us. I think the Mustangs Care Club has a wonderful foundation and opportunity for our members to be role models in the community,” said Kassandra Segura, Vice President of the Mustangs Care Club.
The Mustangs Care: Helping Hands projects are displayed in the Center for Student Success and the Child Development Center.
For more information on joining the Mustangs Care club, contact Erick Guererro at (915) 251- 6754.
