For the second year, the Goddard School of Redmond is taking a proactive approach to bully prevention with a week-long Goddard Community Games celebration beginning Feb. 6.

The week will focus on the school’s FLEXTM Learning Program, a curriculum focused on play-based learning as well as friendship. Activities will also focus on teaching children about playing well with others and accepting each other’s differences.

“Bullying is extremely prevalent in our community. According to Stompoutbullying.org, one out of every four children are bullied. In order to prevent this, it must begin with early teachings and practices. We look forward to our week-long events, so that we can play a part in Seattle’s efforts to combat it,” said Goddard School of Redmond owner Shauna Barison.

According to Joe Schumacher, chief executive officer of Goddard Systems, Inc., the success and enjoyment preschool children experience through playful learning can help develop the self-confidence they need to prevent them from becoming victims of bullies or developing into bullies.

Playful learning has been at the heart of the Goddard School’s core curriculum from the beginning. This approach to learning, which helps introduce children to new skills in a playful and engaging way, is supported by a growing body of research from Play for Tomorrow, the consortium behind the “playful learning” movement.

At the Goddard School, playful learning activities are planned by teachers, directed by students and designed to nurture each child’s self-confidence.

“We make learning enjoyable and we build in lots of opportunity for each child to experience the satisfaction of success,” said Schumacher. “A key benefit of this approach to learning is its emphasis on building self-esteem and confidence as children try and succeed at new challenges. A confident child is much less likely to develop into a bully or to accept bullying from another child.”

The Goddard Community Games event will give families an opportunity to join with their children in a day of discovery and enrichment. Programs such as sign language, yoga and nutrition and “Rock ‘n’ Tot” pre-dance and creative movement, selected from the Goddard School enrichment curriculum, will bring the playful learning concept to life for both parents and children.

“In our preschools, playful learning activities not only equip children with specific skills and knowledge but also teach them about friendship, compassion, cooperation and kindness,” said Sue Adair, director of education at Goddard Systems, Inc. “In fact, as a part of this special day of fun and learning, the children will be involved in a Good Deed – an outreach program that will benefit the local community. As we foster a sense of accomplishment and purpose in each child, we build a foundation of self-confidence that we believe is the best defense against bullying.”

Redmond’s Goddard Community Games include:

• Monday: Friendship Day
• Tuesday: Play Along Day
• Wednesday: Goddard Good Deed Day
• Thursday: Goddard Cares Day
• Friday: Community Hero Day
• Saturday: Goddard Community Games Day

To learn more about bully prevention in preschool and beyond or The Goddard School, visit http://www.goddardschool.com/games.