Members of Sigma Pi fraternity are learning that playing with children is not only rewarding, but also can be an act of kindness.

The men are giving back to the community by volunteering their time at Ames Headstart, a recreational and learning program for children.

Sigma Pi currently has 20 members volunteering at Ames Headstart on a regular basis.

“We’ve had as many as eight guys here at Ames Headstart in one day,” said Vonnie Stewart-Kai, family advocate of Ames Headstart. “They have been volunteering here for about three weeks now. They have been such an asset to us.”

Stewart-Kai said the fraternity members’ contributions are instrumental to the children’s communications skills.

“The guys are reading partners to the kids,” Stewart-Kai said. A reading partner reads to children ages 3 to 5.

There are also meal partners, where the volunteers eat and talk with the children. “This is a very important part of developing the conversation skills of the children,” she said.

Nate Guerdet, philanthropy chair of Sigma Pi and sophomore in agricultural business, said the program has attracted many members’ attention.

“Vonnie and I put together sign-up sheets for members of our fraternity whose schedules allow them to volunteer as big brothers at Ames Headstart,” he said. “Each participant tries to go volunteer two or three times a week during a given help session.”

The men are involved in art activities, as well as dramatic play, in which the children teach fraternity members parenting skills, Stewart-Kai said.

Travis Sobaski, president of Sigma Pi and junior in public relations, said interacting with the children is a fun experience.

“Basically we are their playtime pals. We get to talk to the kids and do activities with them,” Sobaski said. “During recess they like to play tag, and sometimes they think that we are monsters.”

“It’s hard to tell who’s having the most fun on the playground — us or the children,” Guerdet added.

Stewart-Kai said the men not only play with the children, but they also teach them valuable lessons.

“The staff and I have been amazed with the questions the guys ask the kids about the blocks that they build within block area,” Stewart-Kai said.

“They have the kids explore their own process of problem-solving,” she said.

Sobaski said Sigma Pi members will continue volunteering at Ames Headstart after Spring Break.

“We are planning on volunteering next year, too; if our schedules permit it. The little kids are great,” he said.

Guerdet said they have fun playing with the children, but they also try to be mentors to them.

Stewart-Kai added that the men have brought out good qualities in the children.

“Before the guys came to Ames Headstart, there were kids who weren’t speaking, but now they are all talking, even in group settings,” she said. “The kids seem to love the guys. They have warmed up to them so well.”