There were a few official remarks, some hearty applause, and then it was time to scamper and play!

The Experimental Education Unit (EEU) opened two new play courts on Wednesday, June 10, with the help of a few friends -- and a bunch of youngsters really ready to romp.

The new courts make a total of four at the small school on the UW campus for children from birth through kindergarten both with and without disabilities. Previous courts were completed in 1995 and 1997. Filled with equipment and carpeted with squares of soft green foam, the new play areas are both challenging and fun for little ones of varying skills levels.

EEU Director Jennifer Annable spoke briefly to gathered staff and some parents, before the courts were opened to play. She reminded all that at this special school, even the recreation areas are educational. "Every piece of our kids' time needs to be instructional time and structured learning opportunities," she said. And she spoke of the EEU community, saying "We never really lose people at the EEU -- they continue to be in our family."

Such is surely the case for Anthony and Rhonda Mate, whose son, Tony, is a former student. Annable thanked Mate and his colleagues at Wachovia Dealer Services, who donated more than $100,000 to the play court project.

Other donors include a $10,000 grant from the Seattle Foundation, and generous in-kind help from Wildwood Playgrounds, Salmon Bay Gravel and Dunn Lumber. EEU Principal Chris Matsumoto also spoke briefly, saying the community involvement and support that helped the play courts become a reality "is a great example of why this school is different."

The EEU is part of the larger Norris and Dorothy Haring Center for Applied Research and Training in Education, so named in April due to a generous donation from Norris Haring, the EEU's former director. According to its Web site, all of the school's programs "promote the development of children's cognitive, motor, communication, and social interaction skills by means of educational and therapeutic interventions most appropriate for each child."

And the Haring Center, in turn, is part of both the UW Center on Human Development and Disability and the College of Education.

Such details, however, were far from the minds of the many children who rushed out to give the new play areas a try. For them, it was all about the opportunities to slide, spin, swing and frolic on the colorful playground equipment.

You hardly needed words to know the new courts are a success -- the look and sounds of the children playing contentedly told the story nicely.

To learn more about the EEU or the research work of the Haring Center, visit online at http://www.haringcenter.washington.edu/.