Giving your child every possible advantage when it comes to school is something that every parent wants. One way to help your preschoolers get ahead early is to send them to summer camp.
Summer camps run by schools can be a great way to prepare the key skills needed to thrive in kindergarten. In essence, you are giving your child a chance to practice those skills early and make a smooth transition into the next grade level, all while still having fun and exciting summer camp experiences. Let’s take a deeper look at how summer camp helps preschoolers transition to kindergarten.
Problems Kids Face Going into Kindergarten
The reason why summer camps are great practice for kindergarten is that your child gets to practice skills related to some of the biggest problems that they face going into kindergarten.
Some of the biggest problems that make it hard to start school include:
- Separation anxiety
- Developing new routines
- Social challenges
- Being independent
- Asking for help
At this stage, most kids struggle with these skills since they rarely have to use them when at home. Summer camp provides the perfect low-stress environment to practice overcoming these issues.
How Summer Camps Are Different From Kindergarten
Summer camps and kindergarten are distinctly different experiences, even if they happen in the same place and under the care of the same teachers. Summer camps are designed to focus on fun activities that you normally wouldn’t see in a classroom. This can be a huge benefit since it removes a lot of the stress associated with school that kids experience.
Instead, they have a much more relaxed atmosphere focused on fun and enjoyment rather than development. However, it is still the perfect environment to work on basic issues that they will face when they transition into a school environment.
Benefits of Summer Camp for Kindergarten Readiness
There are many benefits that summer camp provides preschoolers in the months leading up to kindergarten.
Many kindergartens start school with very little to no experience in formal classroom settings. This can make starting elementary school even more overwhelming since, in addition to meeting new friends and learning in a classroom for the first time, they first have to get used to the social skills they need to function in school.
When kids attend summer camp before kindergarten, they get extra time to learn the social skills they’ll need to thrive in kindergarten. They’ll make new friends and learn how to interact with peers in productive and positive ways. They’ll practice sharing, teamwork, and cooperating skills. They will also learn how to handle conflicts and work on improving their communication skills.
Independence and Confidence
Kindergarteners who attend summer camp or VPK before transitioning to kindergarten have increased levels of independence and confidence when compared with children who didn’t have these same experiences. They will learn how to separate from their parents in a safe and supportive setting while experiencing more self-reliance in daily activities. This not only better prepares them to fully participate in elementary school, but it also helps them to develop the key problem solving and decision making skills they’ll need in their school years.
Routines and Daily Structure
Many 5-year-olds have never had to follow strict daily routines and structure. This means that the first day of kindergarten might be the first time they’re exposed to daily routines and more structured activities. Summer camps tend to follow similar schedules that kindergartens do, with snack times, group activities, and quiet times. Having a few months of this routine in place can help them better understand and follow classroom expectations and transitions.
Early Academic Preparation
Even though most summer camps do focus on having fun, there are plenty of academic skills and concepts campers are exposed to. Kids often are introduced to basic literacy concepts, such as letters and early phonics, numbers, and pre-writing skills. Plus, there are all of the hands-on learning opportunities through singing, stories, and creative play.
Types of Summer Camps That Support Kindergarten Transition
There are many different types of summer camps available including:
- Academic-focused summer camps
- Play-based/Montessori summer camps
- Nature camps
- Outdoor camps
- Music summer camps
- Arts camps
- STEM camps
- Dance camps
Not all summer camp programs accept incoming kindergarteners. Many camps require campers to have completed kindergarten before they are allowed to enroll. Be sure to check with the summer camp’s administrators to see if the camp you’re interested in allows pre-K or rising kindergarteners into the program.
In some cases, you may need to have children in different camps to accommodate larger age gaps. For instance, some camps may offer middle school programs but not offer incoming kindergartener programs and vice versa. Others offer summer camp to a wider age range, which could make drop off and pick up time easier. These are just some important considerations when it comes to selecting the right summer camp for your family.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Summer Camp
To maximize the benefits of summer camp, start by choosing the right summer camp program based on your child’s needs and interests. No two kids are the same, so it’s important to know what type of experience would be best for them. Enrolling a kid who hates sports in a sports summer camp may not be the best option, for instance.
Encourage your children to actively participate in camp so they get the most from it. It isn’t helpful to them to sit on the sidelines. Active participation gives them the best opportunity to try out new skills and to grow in their experience.
Try to be active and communicate with camp counselors for feedback on how your child is doing. Are there things they’re noticing about how your child interacts with others? Do they need additional support? This information can be very important to know before your child starts elementary school.
Enroll in a Top Parkland Camp at Our School
If you’re focused on the best learning outcomes, you’ve come to the right place. At Parkland Children’s Academy, we are happy to offer summer camp, VPK programs, and after-school care.
Contact us at (954) 688-5877 to learn more about what we have to offer and sign up for summer camp. We can help your incoming kindergartener prepare for a bright future in elementary school.