When you are looking at North Las Vegas child care options, summer camp may not be at the top of your list. However, camp is an excellent way to provide your child with a fun, safe learning experience during the warm summer months. If the thought of coming up with arts and crafts activities for your child to do or running all over town to try new activities overwhelms you, camp may be a great option for your preschool age child.
Summer camp statistics show that more than 6,000 children attend summer camp in the United States each summer. There are many benefits of summer camp that range from academic and social to lifelong fitness.
1. SOCIAL EXPERIENCES
One of the biggest benefits of summer camp for preschool children is the social interaction they have with one another. Through these interactions, preschool children learn skills necessary for teamwork, conflict resolution, and problem solving. Our children today need opportunities for free and unstructured play in a safe environment. This will build the social skills they need to be successful adults. These experiences can also increase your preschool child’s self esteem.
2. FINE MOTOR SKILLS AND LARGE MOTOR SKILLS
Another important benefit of camp for preschool children is improvement in fine motor and large motor development. Whether it is learning to hold a pair of safety scissors or understanding how to kick the ball in the goal during a game of soccer, your preschool child will continue to develop into a blossoming adolescent.
3. ACADEMIC SUCCESS
The importance of summer camp for academic success cannot be overstated. The “summer slide” that occurs between May and August accounts for most of the loss of learning from one grade level to the next. Choosing a camp that has an academic component in addition to games and exercise will ensure that your child starts school in the fall ready to succeed.
4. PHYSICAL FITNESS
Children do not get as much exercise at home as they need to be considered physically active. Enrolling your child in camp ensures that they will have all the exercise they need through both free play and organized games and sports. Establishing physical fitness routines in early childhood can help promote lifelong physical fitness and prevent childhood obesity.
5. STRUCTURE
Your preschool child is used to a certain routine and camp can help them stay on that routine. This will ensure that your child stays on a consistent sleep and eating schedule. We know that young children on a routine experience more stable moods, which makes everyone at home much happier.
6. LESS SCREEN TIME
Our children today are always plugged into something. Televisions, tablets, and video games prevent our children from exercising their minds and bodies. Sending your child to a quality camp will allow them to take a break from the screens and use their creativity in a whole new way.
7. HAVE NEW EXPERIENCES
Most camps provide field trips either off campus or in-house that provide children with new and amazing experiences from engaging with insects to roller skating. Many of these experiences are not something you may do on a regular basis. Your child is sure to have all sorts of new adventures to talk about with you over dinner each evening.
8. INDEPENDENCE
Camp provides preschool children with the opportunity to learn and do things for themselves which increases their sense of independence and self confidence. In addition, persevering at these tasks during camp will teach them that persistence pays off when they face challenging situations later in life
9. IT’S FUN!
Probably the most important reason to send your child to camp this summer is that it is fun! You won’t have to hear the dreaded words, “I’m bored”, from your child because their days will be filled with endless hours of fun and exciting activities with their new friends. Your child will wake up excited to see what the day has in store!
As you search for a North Las Vegas child care center, remember to keep in mind summer camp options for your child. The benefits of summer camp are so numerous that it has become an essential part of quality child care. During your search, make sure to check out your provider’s certification and accreditation, and ask about additional safety features they provide. Then prepare to give your child an amazing experience they will never forget
