Children on Indiana State University’s campus enjoyed a seasonal tradition while building connections with local public safety officials.
On Wednesday, the McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center hosted its annual Pumpkins with the Police event on the center’s playground.
The event is a collaboration between Indiana State University Police and ECEC staff. Police officers delivered pumpkins during naptime, allowing staff to create a surprise pumpkin patch for the children to discover when they went outside in the afternoon.
Each child had the opportunity to choose a pumpkin to take home and decorate it with help from police officers.
Children also participated in developmentally appropriate, pumpkin themed activities, including playing with pumpkin spice scented Play Doh, reciting pumpkin themed songs and fingerplays, and exploring the inside of a smashed pumpkin.
“The goals of the event are to strengthen departmental ties,” said Holly Curtsinger, director of the McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center. “We want to foster a sense of camaraderie between public safety officials, center staff, and the families of our youngest Sycamores.”
Indiana State University President Mike Godard also stopped by to join in the fun. Police officers interacted with children and their parents, helping build positive relationships between law enforcement and the university’s youngest Sycamores.