The room is flooded with light from a large window. A small work bench is filled with tools. Little buckets sit next to a sand tray. There is a wooden dollhouse, an easel for painting and a “kitchen” area.

Margie Sabine, coordinator of the Primary Intervention Project, calls the playroom a place “to give young kids a chance to grow to be confident, strong and healthy adults.”

PIP is celebrating its 20th year in the school district. It gives kids in kindergarten to third grade 35-minute sessions each week to choose from a variety of playtime activities.

“The playroom provides an opportunity for kids to find out who they are, sort out their feelings and problem solve,” said Sabine, who has worked with the program for 10 years.

Sabine, or one of four volunteers, serve as the “Special Friend” that facilitates the playtime by either supporting the child’s decision or just talking to them about their feelings.

“It’s amazing how kids problem solve when they play,” she said. “Our job is to help them reflect on that and help them understand.”

The “Special Friends” talk to the child during the session by saying not how they should do something, but discuss what options could make things better, whether dealing with a lost friend or dealing with a bully.

Sabine said the volunteers, who have consistently worked with the project, have helped it flourish. Two of the volunteers have been with the program for 17 years and the other two have donated their time for 13 years. Sabine and the volunteers also work with Sandra Burt, the school’s child mental health specialist to review the program and ask questions about children’s behaviors.

“They are the core, they really know the program,” Sabine said. “They are the cream of the crop – the volunteers are fabulous. I couldn’t do it without them.”

The volunteers work with about 20 to 25 kids each year. The children participating are often struggling with learning or are students who act out emotionally or physically. Other kids may be shy, have low-self esteem, are new to the island or just need one-on-one time. There are also group sessions for students who need more socialization.

“It has been studied and documented that under the age of 10 kids are developing the basic sense of who they are going to be,” said Sabine. “In this time we can help them grow to feel successful and overcome fears.”

The project also gives children one more adult who they can trust. Other kids just appreciate PIP because it’s a quiet and calm space.

“It’s a chance to slow down and take a breath,” Sabine said. “Many of the kids just say, ‘it’s so quiet, I love how quiet it is in here.’ Just to have that moment is important. The 35 minutes can make a difference.”

The project is primarily funded through United Way, San Juan County Health and Community Services, the Orcas School District, Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Orcas Island Community Foundation.

To make a donation to PIP, contact United Way at 378-4121 or OICF at http://oicf.us/.