Important Delivery to Formative Years Growing and Learning Center

posted on Thursday, March 3, 2022


We visited Formative Years Growing and Learning Center last week and delivered a Little Farmer Toy Box. Amy, the Director of Formative Years Growing and Learning Center, shared just how important new toys are to the center.

“We were able to distribute the toys throughout many of our classrooms after we received our Little Farmer Toy Box,” said Amy. “The kiddos had the biggest smiles on their faces as we carried new toys into the rooms. It is so amazing to be able to add fresh toy experiences to our collections. We appreciate how Iowa Select Farms and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation thought it was important to recognize just how vital day cares are in Iowa.”

Scott Neubauer, a contractor wean-to-finish farmer, nominated Formative Years Growing and Learning Center. He talked about how the Little Farmer Toy Box would be good to help expose kids who may not have a farming background to learn about agriculture with ag-inspired toys and activities.

“Formative Years Growing and Learning Center means a lot to my family and all three of my kiddos have gone there,” said Scott. “I'm sure all the children that go there would love to learn about agriculture since some of them might not be so aware of how it affects them, the importance of it, and why it matters to Iowa and the whole world. I hope through the little farmer toy box, kids who may not have the rural or farm background, will have a greater appreciation of what farmers do every day.”

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, playtime sharpens children’s minds, refines their social skills, stokes their imaginations and helps keep their bodies healthy. Through playtime, children develop into resilient, self-reliant adults who can connect, empathize and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

“We choose to give back to our day cares to help ensure they have new toys following some challenging years with COVID-19,” said Ali Kraber, a representative of the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation. “However, we know toys are so much more to day cares. Toys, books and learning activities help cultivate an ability to learn, inspire creativity and expose kids to things they may never have been exposed to.”

Two women hold toy boxes