EN-US 
ZH 
Yuan Ze University’s College of General Studies extended classroom learning into community service through its “Childhood Culture” course. Led by instructors Wang Yi-Yun and Li Yu-Hua, students participated in the 7th “FunBeida Street Play for Children” event, serving as play volunteers and accompanying children as they explored traditional games, creative painting, cardboard mazes, and other activities. Through hands-on community service, the students not only put what they had learned in class into practice but also gained a deeper understanding of children’s right to play, public spaces, and community participation through their interactions with children.
Each year, “FunBeida Street Play for Children” temporarily closed Dayi Road to traffic, transforming the normally busy street into a play space where children could explore freely. The event encouraged children to step outdoors, take a break from digital devices, interact with their peers through play, and enjoy outdoor activities. This year, Yuan Ze University students participated in the event as part of the “Childhood Culture” course. From learning the rules and becoming familiar with the activities beforehand to guiding and accompanying children at the event, the students took part in every stage of the volunteer service, moving beyond the campus and becoming actively involved in the local community.
A variety of playful activities were offered at the event, with the traditional spinning-top area drawing particular attention. A student surnamed Huang from the College of Management, who was responsible for guiding children at the station, was initially unfamiliar with how to spin a top. To help the children enjoy the activity, Huang practiced repeatedly, explored different techniques, and patiently encouraged them to keep trying. “It’s okay if you don’t succeed. We can just try a few more times,” Huang told the children. Through repeated attempts and mutual encouragement, the children eventually succeeded in spinning their tops, bringing delighted smiles to their faces. The interaction not only helped the children experience the value of perseverance and trying again but also enabled the student volunteer to develop patience, communication, and problem-solving skills.
In addition to traditional games, the event featured creative activities such as street painting, cardboard castles, and maze exploration. Children were free to use their imagination, creating colorful designs on the pavement and on a bus or using cardboard to build their own play spaces. Unlike activities constrained by the spaces and rules of everyday life, these experiences gave children the freedom to run, create, and fully express their imagination and energy.
Two students surnamed Yang and Chiu from the Department of Electrical Engineering, who volunteered at the cardboard maze area, shared that they had initially assumed that games without electronic devices might have difficulty attracting children. After taking part in the event, however, they discovered that simple cardboard materials, space for free exploration, and interaction with others could provide rich and engaging play experiences. Although volunteering throughout the day in hot weather was physically demanding, seeing the children enthusiastically enjoying the activities gave the students a strong sense of accomplishment and helped them gain a deeper appreciation of the meaning and value of volunteer service.
The community service experience also demonstrated Yuan Ze University’s efforts to integrate general education with social engagement. Through the “Childhood Culture” course offered by the College of General Studies, students first explored issues such as children’s right to play, childhood culture, and public space in the classroom before entering the community to observe children’s needs and interactions in different play environments. During the service activity, the students did more than assist with games. Through accompanying, guiding, and observing the children, they learned to consider situations from a child’s perspective and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of play in children’s development and social interaction.
Yuan Ze University stated that general education emphasized not only the acquisition of knowledge but also students’ understanding of social issues and active participation in society. By integrating coursework with community service, the University encouraged students to engage with the wider community, apply what they had learned in real-life settings, and develop empathy, communication and coordination skills, and a sense of social responsibility. Participation in “FunBeida Street Play for Children” not only gave children the freedom to explore and enjoy playing in the streets but also provided Yuan Ze University students with opportunities to learn and grow through service, demonstrating the positive impact that universities and communities could create together in building a more child-friendly environment.
