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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. McMahon from Hamilton, NJ is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. McMahon is requesting

Support Structured Play in Kindergarten

Help me give my students items to support the structured play time in Kindergarten by supporting fine motor skills, STEM exploration, and dramatic play.

  • 4 donors
  • $1,585 still needed

expires Jun 09

  • 4 donors
  • $1,585 still needed
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My Project

LES Kindergarten teachers are asking for your help to improve our Structured Play Time. People often think of kindergarten play as just a break from learning, but it is actually the most important "work" a child can do. Structured play is carefully planned by teachers to challenge a child’s growing brain. It acts as a bridge that turns a child’s natural curiosity into the skills they need for school success. By supporting these programs, you are helping build the foundation children will use for the rest of their lives.

At the heart of structured play is the development of executive function.

When children participate in guided games or collaborative projects with specific rules, they are practicing self-regulation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. These are the exact neural pathways required for focused problem-solving in mathematics and literacy later in their education.

Structured play also works like a social laboratory. In these activities, children learn how to get along with others, solve fair arguments, and understand how their classmates feel. This builds a foundation of teamwork and "grit" that simply cannot be taught using a textbook. For many kids, school play is the best place to learn the "people skills" that matter most in the real world: communication, staying calm under pressure, and working well with a team.

Finally, structured play is a powerhouse for physical and language skills. Whether they are building complex towers or acting out stories, children are improving their hand strength and learning new words. These activities make sure students are truly ready for the challenges of grade school. Your donation provides the tools and equipment we need to turn "playtime" into a powerful learning experience.

Mrs. McMahon Langtree Elementary School Grades PreK-2 Hamilton, NJ View local requests

More than a third of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

46 students impacted 4donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. McMahon is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Melissa And Doug Melissa & Doug Deluxe Multi Vehicle Activity Rug Play Set - Wood - Durable • School Specialty $152.18 2 $304.36
Born Toys Pretend Play Costumes for Kids Ages 3-7, Washable Toddler Dress Up Set for Play (6 in 1) • Amazon Business $139.95 2 $279.90
Tiny Land Wooden Dollhouse for Girls - 6 Rooms Wooden Doll House, DIY Pretend Doll House with 31Pcs Furniture Accessories, Creative Gift for Girl Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $119.99 2 $239.98
Lakeshore Puppet Theater • Lakeshore Learning Materials $149.00 1 $149.00
100PCS Magnetic Tiles Blocks for Kids Ages 3-5 4-8 with 2 Cars,STEM Learning Educational Preschool Magnet Building Toys for Toddlers,Christmas Birthday Gifts Toys for 3 4 5 6 7 8+ Year Old Boys Girls • Amazon Business $29.98 3 $89.94
Meland Marble Run - 132Pcs Marble Maze Game Building Toy for Kid, Marble Track Race Set & STEM Learning Toys for Boy Girl Age 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+ (102 Translucent Marbulous Pcs & 30 Glass Marbles) • Amazon Business $38.69 2 $77.38
Learning Resources STEM Explorers Pixel Art Challenge - Science Kits & STEM Activities for Kids, Pattern Blocks, Fine Motor Skills, Math Manipulatives, Sorting and Counting, Gifts for Boys and Girls • Amazon Business $16.86 4 $67.44
Play-Doh Starter Set 9-Piece Kit with Storage Tote & 4 Modeling Compound Cans, Arts and Crafts for Kids, Back to School Classroom Supplies, Preschool Toys, Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $11.99 4 $47.96
Melissa & Doug Get Well Doctor Kit, 25-Piece Toddler Doctor Play Set, Realistic Pretend Play Toys & Accessories, Preschool Toys for Girls & Boys Ages 3+ • Amazon Business $19.99 2 $39.98
Play-Doh Bulk Pack of 48 Cans, 6 Sets of 8 Modeling Compound Colors, 3oz, Back to School Gifts & Prizes for Students & Classroom, Preschool Toys for Kids, Ages 2+ (Amazon Exclusive) • Amazon Business $27.96 1 $27.96

Materials cost

$1,323.90

Vendor shipping charges

 $91.32

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$19.86

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,465.08

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$258.54

Total project goal

$1,723.62

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $1,723.62

4 Donors

-$128.00

Donations toward project cost

-$118.00

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$10.00

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$10.82

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $1,584.80

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. McMahon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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