When summer break arrives, many parents find themselves scrambling to fill the time in a fun, enriching way. For many children, this means more time at home. Busy parents may look for ways to keep kids active and engaged, but often, summertime equals more screen time.
Research shows that kids lose a significant amount of what they learned during the school year during the summer stretch. However, just because your child is not in school does not mean the fun, socialization, and learning has to stop. Summer camps can be a fun way to help kids continue learning all year long.
This article will explore the benefits of sending your preschooler to summer camp. You will learn what summer camps offer and how your child’s summer camp experiences can help to prepare them for school success.
Reach out to the caring educators at New Horizons Learning Center now to explore our summer day camp programs. Schedule a tour, ask questions, or sign up for any of our early learning programs by contacting us today.
What are the Benefits of Preschool Summer Camps?
Your children only have a handful of early childhood summers. Research shows that children’s brains grow and develop more in the years between birth and five years than at any other stage of life. It’s important to give children a wide range of enriching experiences during these critical years.
But it’s also essential for them to have fun! Preschool summer camps offer fun, engaging activities, including science experiments, nature play, sports, games, and more. Your child will have fun, make friends, and learn a lot.
Here are some of the most significant benefits of sending your child to a preschool summer camp.
Sense of community
It can be easy for busy families to become more isolated during the summer months. Without the regular routine of school days, working parents may rely on in-home help or more screen time to keep their kids busy over the summer.
Preschool summer camps are the antidote to summer isolation. Dedicated, enthusiastic camp counselors lead groups of children through active, educational activities. Children learn to get along with each other, make new friends, and develop other crucial social skills.
Younger children and older children may play, eat, or learn together. Younger kids may look up to older kids and counselors as role models, while older children develop empathy for younger kids.
Summer camps are the perfect way to ensure your child is part of a community when the school year ends.
Safe environment
A preschool summer camp program offers the perfect balance of supervision and independence. Camp counselors watch children and lead them through many daily activities. They also foster essential life skills that help children stay safe and develop independence.
Preschool summer camps happen in a safe, supervised location. Your child will feel empowered to explore and play, and you’ll know they’re in safe hands all summer.
Physical activity
Summertime can often mean long, unstructured days and more screen time. Kids may spend more time watching TV or playing video games as busy parents try to balance their responsibilities and childcare.
Attending summer camp helps children stay active all summer. Instead of having more screen time, your child will spend their days running, playing, climbing, and jumping. Regular exercise can help children stay fit, develop strength, improve balance, and more. Plus, it’s much more fun!
Social skills
Teachers often see a severe decline in kids’ social skills when they return to the classroom after summer break. Kids who do not spend time with others during the summer may lose some of their progress.
Preschool summer camps allow children to play and learn together. Children learn to navigate complex social situations, make new friends, and learn about new ideas. They develop empathy, face challenges, and develop critical social skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Attending summer camp can keep kids physically and socially active all summer. This prevents some of the skill loss that can happen over summer break.
Life lessons
Summer camp isn’t just about learning math, science, and reading. Kids also learn essential life lessons. These can include:
- Emotional regulation
- How to get along with others
- How to take turns
- How to express their needs
- Good manners
- Respect for others
- Leadership skills
Many summer camp activities might push kids outside their comfort zone, allowing them to recognize their own capabilities and interests. Preschool summer camps give kids a chance to spread their wings and amaze themselves with their own abilities. Children typically leave summer camps feeling more connected and confident than before–and more ready for the new school year.
Find a Preschool Summer Camp
Learn more about the benefits of preschool summer camps or enroll in a program by contacting the educators at New Horizons Learning Center. We look forward to meeting you and your child soon!
