Did you know that your child can lose up to three months of learning every summer?
Research shows that children lose approximately 22% of what they learn during the school year over the summer months. As your child’s first and most valuable teacher, you can prevent the “summer slide” by engaging your child in simple activities over the summer and enrolling them in the “BRIDGES” Summer Camp Program at Broward College Early Childhood Demonstration Laboratory School right here at the North Campus in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Where are the innovators, engineers, surgeons and scientists of tomorrow? They are the children constructing dangerously high towers in the block corner, getting drenched at the water table, leveling some sand at the sand table, pulling the pulleys and designing the structures on the playground or tinkering with the volume on the CD player.
The “BRIDGES” Summer Camp Program at Broward College Early Childhood Demonstration Laboratory School is designed to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math concepts (STEAM) into our fun filled, theme based sessions so your child will be learning through play and using his or her imagination every day.
STEAM skills are not learned or practiced by sitting at a desk but by hands on real experiences. The richer the environments, the more concrete opportunities there are for children to learn by interacting with materials, making predictions and observing results. The teacher’s role is to create an environment that invites children to observe, to be active, to make choices and to experiment.
On a typical day at the Broward College Early Childhood Laboratory School the staff builds activities for the children around different interest areas enabling children to learn at their own pace through open ended, inquiry based projects. Teachers integrate learning in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts and technology every day. As the children complete the projects the documentation reveals all the language, math concepts, science, artistic expression and physical development that come along with engaged learning.
The BRIDGES Summer Camp Program will run from June 8, 2015 until August 14, 2015 for children ages 4 to 8. The hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. We are located on Broward College’s North Campus – 1000 Coconut Creek Boulevard, Bldg. 63, Coconut Creek, FL, 33066. Please come for a tour at the Broward College Laboratory School and see for yourself the dynamic forces at work! Your child will thrive over the summer where learning will be moving forward FULL STEAM ahead! Contact the Broward College Early Childhood Demonstration Laboratory School for more information about the BRIDGES Summer Camp Program (954) 201-2440.
Here are some tips on what you can do to get your child ready for school or to help keep them engaged over the summer.
Work on self-care, self-help and motor skills (for example, dressing oneself, holding a pencil and cutting with scissors).
Have play dates or go to programs where your child can learn to play well with others, relate positively to adults, and use language to express needs and wants.
Work on recognition of letters, shapes, colors and rhyming words as well as counting objects to 10 and writing their own first name.
Work on self-regulation skills (for example paying attention i.e.: I spy games, following directions, looking for solutions to questions or problems).
You can also support your child’s readiness when you:
Talk often and respond to questions (when asked a question by your child it is best to ask what they think the answer is first).
Read, read, and read every day. Talk about new words in books and ask your child to predict or retell the story.
Provide pencils, paper etc. and blank paper for drawing and writing.
Make things out of empty containers.
Go places together and notice things in your surroundings and talk about all the interesting things there are to see.
Encourage independence in managing daily tasks and helping with household chores.
Limit screen time!! Provide more active and outdoor activities and experiences!! Get them outside and using their imaginations! ?
