'Parentemonials': Sean

"I realize that, without going out playing with other kids, maybe he wouldn’t have been that confident."
— Le-Sean's Dad Sean.

Before Free to Play, Le-Sean was a polite and quiet kid. Today, his dad watches him "chat up a storm", try new things, and come home eager to share stories and challenges from his day!

Through play, exploration, and connection, Le-Sean is learning new skills and building the kind of confidence that carries into every part of his life.

And that’s exactly what Free Play is all about. 💛

Thank you ‪City of Edmonton for the spaces letting Le-Sean bloom!

Sean’s Parentemonial Transcript

Sometimes I’m like, “You’re too popular,” because we’ll be in the supermarket, and someone will be like, “Hi LeSean!” And he’ll say, “Dad, that’s somebody from Free Play, that’s someone from my school.”

I remember when he was younger, he used to be so polite. A polite little fella. But now, he’s in the supermarket on his own, chatting up a storm. I’m like, “Yeah, okay!”

Hi, my name is Sean Johns. I'm LeSean Johns’ dad.

Before, he’d leave school, go home, and just sit on his gadget. That was it. But with Free Play, now when he comes home, he has something to talk about. What he did today, what he did yesterday, and what he’s looking forward to.

He always loved school, but with Free Play, he’s even more excited. He’ll be like, “Thursday, we’re going to this place. Thursday I’m going to that place.” I remember one Thursday he told me, “Dad, I’ll be downtown … hockey!” And I was there, sitting with my camera, smiling. I thought, “This is what I want to see.”

That day I realized, he’s not the baby anymore. He’s growing up. I was just sitting there thinking, “Wow, I wasn’t even part of this conversation.” He’s talking to his friends, playing his game, doing his best, bonding. I thought, “Yes! Yes! That’s what I want to see.”

He was so comfortable, and that’s what matters to me. He feels at home in Free Play, and that’s great.

He’ll come home and say, “Hey, I did this today and I succeeded. I’m going to try it on Dad and see.” What he learns in Free Play, he brings home. “Dad, let’s go play soccer. Dad, let’s do this.” And he’ll challenge me.

And I’m like, “You know what? I’m not as young as you anymore... but I’m going to try.” And he’ll say, “Oh, come on! Don’t use that excuse. Let’s just do it!”

I realize that without going out and playing with other kids, maybe he wouldn’t have been that confident. And now, I’m just so happy. I really am. Trust me, I’m happy.

Our ✨ Parentemonials 💫 series will focus on sharing stories from families that benefit from Free Play For Kids!