How to encourage skill development during the summer for kids

DALLAS (KDAF) — Between summer camps, trips to the beach, and time outdoors, the summer is a busy season to pack in all the fun before back-to-school begins. With that, Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs, urges families to use this summer to develop their children’s life skills by engaging in new activities together.

Summer is a season filled with fun for kids; however, it is also a time where children learn and advance essential life skills such as empathy and creativity, as well as healthy habits such as family bonding and an active lifestyle. These skills are fueled even further by parental involvement and supervision. That’s why Celebree School experts implore parents to take an active role in their children’s summer plans and engage in fun activities the whole family will enjoy:

1. Gardening: Learning where food comes from and how to take care of plants helps a child make the connection between the garden and their meals. Physically planting seeds and digging in the dirt assists in strengthening fine motor skills and big muscle skills and gets them outside in the fresh air and reduces a sedentary lifestyle.
   
2. Water Play : Children love to explore the texture and sensations of water and benefit from the natural stress relief that water offers. Give a child some measuring cups and spoons and turn this into an experiment that includes math talk and exploring water displacement theories. Jumping, splashing, and swimming all further develop gross motor skills; just be sure to practice water safety!
   
3. Catch Fireflies : Grab a mason jar, punch some holes in the lid and go outside and catch lightening bugs! These little bugs are a great introduction to insects for your child and will show them that bugs are not scary. Use this time to teach your child about bioluminescence and actually use the word, bioluminescence, to describe the chemical reaction that causes the bug to light up. Talk about how they use these lights to communicate with each other, perhaps even make up what the bugs are saying to one another, this helps encourage children to be creative.

Camp is another avenue for children to grow these skills, as it allows them to engage in new activities and socialize with peers their age. This year, Celebree Summer Camps saw an impressive 93% enrollment across its 26 camps, where children participate in themed days, classic summer activities, and travel to off-site venues like the movies, laser tag, pottery painting, and more, giving them opportunities to meet new people and try new things.

With programs available for children six weeks to 12 years old, Celebree School lives by its promise to Grow People Big and Small™. The brand was founded on the belief that success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and a connection that extends beyond the classroom to address the needs of the whole child and the whole family. Curriculums are designed to develop positive social skills and values while allowing children to learn about the world through age-appropriate play, projects, and activities.

For more information about programs and enrollment, visit https://www.celebree.com/find-a-location/ .

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