NATURE BOOSTS CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Sansing Family Foundation donated $25,000 to construct early learning sensory garden at Gonzalez Court.

PENSACOLA DEVELOPS EDUCATIONAL OUTDOOR PLAY SPACES WITH FUNDING FROM THE SANSING FAMILY FOUNDATION

BY Reggie Dogan

STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE

Anew year ushers in a new place for children to play and learn.

Area Housing Commission's Gonzalez Court off Ninth Avenue is the new home of an early learning sensory garden in Pensacola.

Sandy Sansing and his family stepped up to donate $25,000 toward the playground designed for children under 5 years old.

After hearing about the development of a play space at Area Housing’s Moreno Court in West Pensacola, the Sansing family chose to support this project to enable children in another part of the community the chance to enjoy the outdoors in a healthy and playful setting.

“It is so important for children to be able to exercise, learn and play outside,” said Sansing, a local automobile dealership owner and philanthropist. “We hope it will be a place where kids can laugh, play and develop their brain for years to come.”

The goal of the project is to provide the children of Gonzalez Court with an educational play space that highlights nature and the environment as part of the design.

This will inspire their play to be purposeful and give them a connection to the natural world they do not currently have. The playground also will inspire the community at large to replicate such an investment in other under-served areas.

Studer Community Institute president Rachael Gillette believes the location serves as a good opportunity to show the impact of building learning into the environment.

“Our goal is to reach children and their parents where they are and help them understand the importance of incorporating talk and play into early brain development,” Gillette said. “The Sansing Family Foundation has made it possible, and it is a visible reminder of how much we care about giving children in our community a good start in life.”

The Gonzalez early learning garden comes on the heels of the Sitton Bear Kugelman playground, dedicated last year at Moreno Court on Old Corry Field Road. Another early learning play space is planned for Area Housing Commission's Attucks Court off Cervantes Street.

The nature-based garden creates a play space that is fun and supports the healthy development of a child’s brain. That is an aspect of the Studer Community Institute’s efforts to support healthy, early brain development and school readiness in Pensacola.

Research shows that being in nature boosts a child's brain development and ability to focus, be creative and solve problems. This project takes elements of play and nature and combines them into a learning space that is beautiful and fun.

Shirley Henderson, deputy executive director of Area Housing, said the play space will be used as the location for lessons about the importance of play, about ways to build parent talk and interaction into play time and to provide an outlet for learning in a safe, fun environment.

“Children learn about their world through their senses,” Henderson said. “Creating a safe, diverse and developmentally appropriate outdoor learning environment can allow them to explore and learn so much more about their senses and nature.”

KIDS’ DENTIST OFFERS:

• Esthetic White Crowns • Laser Tongue- & Lip-Tie Corrections For Infants & Children • White Esthetic Fillings • Preventive Cleanings & Exams • Early Dental Care • Extractions & Space Maintenance • Various Pediatric Sedation Options

NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S FIRST PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY PROVIDER

DR. RACHEL WITCHER

WHAT SERVICES DOES YOUR PRACTICE PROVIDE?

Comprehensive dental treatment and oral care for babies, kids, teenagers, and kids with special needs. Our emphasis is on prevention first. We offer white or silver crowns, fillings, space maintenance, extractions, and more, providing care in a way your child/teenager will feel comfortable, including various pediatric sedation methods. In addition, we provide laser tongue- and lip-tie corrections (frenectomies) for infants and older children when indicated. My husband, Dr. Edwin Witcher, recently started Smart Smiles Orthodontics right next door, so now patients can receive braces and cleanings in the same location — less driving for busy parents is a win to me.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? Reaching the fullest potential God has for my business and life. I want every child and family to feel like they were treated with kindness at every appointment. Success is storing up treasures in heaven and not on this earth because we sure can’t take them with us.

HOW DO YOU ENSURE PATIENTS RECEIVE THE HIGHEST

QUALITY OF CARE? I treat every child like I would my own. As a mom, I realize how scary the unknown can be with treatment for your kids. I always assure them this is 100% the best treatment they can get and what I would do if it were my child.

DR. STU BONNIN

WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE

APART? Our practice is focused on families and children. Helping children grow up to be responsible, respectful and resourceful teenagers and adults is one of our goals. Partnering with parents to rear healthy children is our passion.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TRANSITION YOUR

PENSACOLA PRACTICE TO DR. RACHEL? I’ve known Dr. Rachel for many years, from her time as an employee through her undergraduate education and then dental school, all the way to her residency and practice in Gainesville. We share the same conservative practice values/beliefs, and I knew she would be the best fit; it was just a matter of time.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE

FROM VISITING YOUR PRACTICE? I sincerely hope that after experiencing a visit with us, a parent says, “I am glad that I brought my child to Dr. Bonnin and Dr. Rachel. I feel that things were explained to me, and they listened to me. I know that I can call either of them anytime for an emergency or if I have a question.”