In a world increasingly dominated by screens and structured schedules, Opportunity School of Amarillo is reminding parents, educators, and communities of one simple but powerful truth: outdoor play is essential for young children’s healthy growth and development. From climbing and running to exploring nature and imaginative play, time spent outdoors supports nearly every aspect of early childhood development. “Outdoor play is much more than recreation,” says Opportunity School Executive...

This spring, hope is growing at Opportunity School, and children like Laila Faison are the reason why. When Laila first came to Opportunity School in 2022, she was just two years old. Like many children born during the COVID-19 pandemic, she had limited opportunities to interact with others. But for Laila, the challenges ran deeper as she is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum. Her early development came with unique hurdles for her and her family. Her mother, Stormy, remembers the...

As students prepare for Spring Break, Amarillo’s Opportunity School encourages families to incorporate fun play days into their school-free schedule, where their kids decide what to do. “At Opportunity School, we take a powerful approach with play-based learning, which incorporates play as a central component of the learning process,” explains Opportunity School Executive Director Jill Goodrich. “By encouraging kids to play at school and at home, we are embracing their innate curiosity and...