In Issaquah Highlands, an annual rite of spring is the community Easter Egg Hunt. Last year, over 1,500 kids and adults enjoyed the event. This year the Egg Hunt will be back at Blakely Hall and the Village Green on Saturday, April 11th from 10am until Noon. This year’s Easter Egg Hunt is presented by Issaquah Highland’s churches: Alathia Community Church, Icon Church and Mosaic Seattle Church.

All proceeds over the cost of event production will benefit Eastside Baby Corner (www.babycorner.org). The churches are grateful for the generous financial support of Port Blakely Communities and Highlands Council. Local business sponsors are also critical to the funding of these large community events as no homeowner dues are ever applied. And, of course, the event is 100% volunteer run! The event begins at 10am and will feature three age specific hunts for children through 5th grade inside the Village Green Park – rain or shine! There will be plenty to do while you wait for your child’s age group to be called into the park, including a picture with the Easter Bunny, carnival games and face painting, and new this year, LIVE MUSIC featuring the Issaquah High School Jazz Band!

Families will also enjoy visiting with their favorite farm animal at the petting zoo, also new this year. Accent Insurance/Pemco is the providing sponsor for the giant inflatable slide and bounce house. Back this year, MK Ballet will perform a beautiful exhibition dance sure to thrill all little ballerina wannabes! As the noon hour approaches listen for the announcement of names as the winners of the annual John Thompson Real Estate Coloring Contest are presented.

The Egg Hunt is free. Other activities can be enjoyed by purchasing a ticket for $1 each or unlimited fun for $5 per child. Residents are encouraged to walk or bike to the event as parking is very limited. The Easter Egg Hunt is open to the greater community so feel free to invite your friends!

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By: Christie Santodomingo

I was dancing in a circle the other day with my eighteen month old at the Issaquah Highlands playgroup singing, “Mi cuerpo, mi cuerpo, hace musica! I looked at all of the other, smiling and laughing moms, dads (yes, there were two dads!), and nannies thinking, “How lucky are we to have thirty minutes of Spanish songs, stories, dancing and bubbles lead by such a fantastic teacher all for free- without having to leave the neighborhood!

Natalia Santi, an Issaquah Highlands mother of two who was born in Argentina, captures the attention of infants to three year olds with her fun songs, puppets, cut-out spiders, books, and movement every Friday from 10-10:30am at the Highlands playgroup. Hearing the language revitalizes my high school years of Spanish class and I find myself singing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” in Spanish at home over the weekend.

So what are the benefits of exposing these wee ones to a second language? In an article entitled, First Words Second Languages, Nancy Rhodes, Director of Foreign Language Education at the Center of Applied Linguistics says, “It introduces a child to another culture, another way of saying things, and that we’re all living in a global society.” She adds that the best way for little children to learn languages is through games, songs, and stories similar to the ones we hear and play at the playgroup. According to Theresa Sullivan Caccavale, president of the National Network for Early Language Learning, in an article entitled, Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language, research shows that learning a second language enhances critical thinking skills, creativity, and an open mind in young children. These benefits are true for learning any language, not just Spanish, in addition to the first language.

If you are a parent/caregiver who would like to incorporate a second or third language into your child’s life, come join us Fridays at the Issaquah Highlands playgroup at Blakely Hall from 9:30-11:00am. For more info on the playgroup go to: www.eastside-family-guide.com/Highlandsplaygroup.html.

We hope to see you there!

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