Get Rid of the Winter Blues with Winter Science Camps

I don't know how it goes in your house, but winter can be a humdrum time for us. We get a lot of snow here - I'm talking a LOT! Sometimes it's fun to be out and about in it; sometimes it's not. Usually a couple of months in, we find we're tired of snow, being in our house (we homeschool), and generally being with each other.

Wouldn't you like to find something educational, but fun, for your kids to do when on Christmas break? I would. It's often been noted that children learn best by combining the usual learning methods. While some kids are content to merely read and listen, a vast number get the most out of learning when they can touch, smell and hear the lessons.

 At the end of December, 1,600 KinderCare Learning Centers (http://www.KinderCare.com) throughout the United States will give students just that: an exciting multi-sensory time of real learning. Kids from preschool through grade school will have the chance to "live" science by becoming directly involved with scientific activities and experiments. They will get the opportunity to become scientific detectives to solve science mysteries. Older kids will find building balloon rockets, creating volcanic eruptions, and more a great diversion from the normal things of winter.

KinderCare's Winter Science Camps (http://www.KinderCare.com/wintersciencecamp) will be held for eight days. Kids may attend all of the eight days or visit for one day or more. 

  

In addition to Winter Science Camp, KinderCare offers comprehensive reading guides with tips for parents to use in order to get the most out of reading time together. Some tips included are:

• You can help cultivate baby's interest in books by choosing ones that capture his or her attention such as board books, pop-up books, etc. Your child will want to see these again and again. 

• While reading together, ask questions about the pictures. Children are delighted in finding objects on the page. If they're saying 'da' and pointing at the dog, say, 'Yes, that's the dog,' If the child says 'ball,' follow up with, 'That's a blue ball.' You'll be giving them additional language for their verbal bank.

• Ask your child open-ended questions about the story you are reading, such as "Why do you think that happened?"

So, if you're sticking around home December 20-23 or December 27-30 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and are looking for something different, give Winter Science Camps from KinderCare some prayer and thought. It might be what you're looking for.

*I have been offered compensation for this post*