Small-scale versions of Scooby-Doo, Dumbo and Stuart Little were among those making a guest appearance at a pre-Halloween party held Friday.
Children in a variety of costumes filled the Audiology and Speech Sciences Building for the event, hosted by MSU students in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.
The guests at the shindig were the youngest clients of MSU’s audiology clinic, all children with communication disorders.
“This is the most fun activity we’ve had in a long time,” said Raechel Kearns, president of the hearing association.
The MSU students, many of whom also sported costumes, adorned Audiology and Speech Sciences with spooky fun in the form of fake cobwebs, crepe paper, pumpkins and games.
Both the children and their parents expressed appreciation for the students’ efforts.
Jodie Kempf of Eagle, Mich., whose son Calen was dressed as Scooby-Doo, said it was nice for her son to come to the clinic for something other than speech therapy.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to have the kids get together,” she said. “Since Halloween is on a weekday, it’s kind of hard to do other things so it’s nice to have this ahead of time.”
The party was meant to be a lighthearted activity for the children who visit the audiology clinic, said Professor Jill Elfenbein, who came up with the idea to host the party.
She said the event gave children with communication disorders a chance to practice communicating while allowing MSU students to interact with the children in an informal setting.
“And I think it’s just plain fun to have a party this time of year,” said Elfenbein, who was dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.
As the children took part in Halloween activities, whether they were decorating cookies or pinning noses on pumpkins, Elfenbein said she felt the party was a success.
Other parents were also grateful for the party’s purpose. Dimondale, Mich., resident Mary Sue McLaughlin, whose daughter Emma is a longtime client of the clinic, said she was happy to have an extra event for Emma to attend.
“I’m so impressed with it,” McLaughlin said.
“I think the event is the first the clinic has had in about six years.”
McLaughlin said she got an extra-special Halloween goodie when she noticed her daughter practicing communication skills at the party.
“This is nice for her,” McLaughlin said. “It’s the first year she’s been excited about Halloween.
“It’s terrific the work these students have put into this and the other parents appreciate it, I’m sure. I think she had a great time.”
As the party wound down, most of those in attendance seemed to be in spooky - but good - spirits about the activity.
“I think it went really well,” said Nekea Fritz, an audiology and speech sciences senior and secretary of the student group. “The kids had a good time and that’s what counts the most. They were really excited. I’m glad we decided to do this. It’s always good to see happy faces.”
