On Summer Activities for Kids: A Parent’s Top 6 Picks
The summer holidays are just a few weeks away, and many parents are probably already looking for fun things for their kids to do. With the plethora of options for summer activities for kids though, it can be quite challenging to select just one worthwhile activity.
To help narrow down your choices, here are a few personal recommendations:
1. Little Ballet’s Summer Program
I’ve written about Little Ballet before, and I’m pleased to announce that they will be holding their summer program very soon -- on the week of March 8, to be exact! Below is a brief description of the different "levels" of the classes:
Mommy & Me Class for kids 2-3 years old
This beginner Little Ballet class aims to teach young children to appreciate ballet with the help of one parent (usually Mommy, of course!). The teacher will demonstrate what is to be done, so the parents can follow and teach their children to do the same. Moms, I’ve personally tried this class with our toddler, and we had a blast while learning a few ballet moves!
Tots Class for kids 3-5 years old
The objective of this class is to help develop the children’s imagination through ballet. Your little ballerinas will enjoy walking through the "milkshake river" and pretending to be fairies, all while learning basic ballet positions and techniques. Kids can even come in fairytale-themed dresses or skirts, as long as they’re also wearing ballet tights and shoes – fun, fun, fun!
Preps Class for kids 5-6 years old
This class is similar to the Tots Class but is more structured, and concentrates on developing the little ballerinas’ posture, form and technique. Kids will also learn ballet vocabulary. I personally haven’t witnessed a Preps Class before, but our little girl will be "moving up" to this level in March, and we’re all really excited for her!
The Little Ballet summer program will run for 10 weeks, culminating with a recital. You can find the final schedule and exact venues of Little Ballet’s summer classes on their Facebook page. Please note that a 50% down payment on or before March 1 is required to reserve a slot for your child, though exceptions can be made on a per family basis. For more information, you can email littlebalet.ph@gmail.com or contact 0917-5809694.
2. Summer Programs at Sunny Skies Learning Center
The center, run by Conductor’s Circle Maestro educator Suzette T. Yu-Kho, will be having the following summer programs, aside from Kindermusik summer classes with incorporated arts and crafts activities (which, by the way, are SO much fun!):
Little Chefs Mandarin Program for kids of all ages
Children will learn simple, fun recipes in Mandarin. The course includes a uniform, ingredients and basic table-setting training.
Academic Tutorials for all subjects, including Chinese and Singapore Math
Reading and Writing Program
Individualized Art Classes with Architect-Painter Pancho Villanueva
Mandarin/Fookien One-on-One Lessons for Both Adults and Children (Year-round)
All classes will be held at the Kindermusik Studio, Capitol Green Street, Capitol Hills. For more information, please call (02) 9620203 or (02) 7752474. You can also email kindermusikwithteachersuzette@gmail.com.
3. Likhang Bata Online Gallery’s Art Festival and Summer Art Camp
The Likhang Bata Art Festival, scheduled for March 28, 2015, 8 a.m.- 12 noon, is a celebration of young talent and creative learning, with an art exhibit featuring the works of the students of the Likhang Bata Art Camps held between June 2014 and February 2015. There will also be a face painting booth, art sessions and the graduation rites of the students.
In addition, there will be special art sessions during the festival, with the following categories:
Baby Da Vinci for kids 1.5-2 years old
Little Van Gogh for kids 3-5 years old
Kiddie Art Masters for kids 6-12 years old
The Art Festival will be held at No. 29, 1st Street, New Manila, Quezon City. The entrance fee is only P50 per person. Those who wish to enroll their kids in the art sessions can do so online for a minimal fee of P80 per student. Please take note that walk-in students will be charged P150 per head, with the same inclusions as those registered online. Students of previous Art Camps get free entrance to the event.
The Summer Art Camp, on the other hand, will be held on April 6 to 8, 2015, at the same venue, with the following class levels:
Little Van Gogh Creative Learning Class for kids 2-5 years old (3.00-3.30 p.m.)
Kiddie Art Masters Art Basics and History Class for kids 6-12 years old (3.45-4.30 p.m.)
The camp fees are inclusive of materials for three days and the graduation fee. The graduation rites will be on April 10. The fee per student is only P1000 for online registrants who can send a down payment of P500 on or before March 25.
For more information, you may email Teacher Dindi Manlapaz of Likhang Bata Art Center via denisemanlapaz@ymail.com or visit her website.
4. Singapore Math Summer Programs by Mathemagis
We use Singapore Math as part of our homeschool curriculum and I must say that I have a lot to learn about it myself! I am particularly challenged when it comes to teaching my son about using bar models. This is partly why we’re considering enrolling him in one of the Singapore Math summer programs by Mathemagis. Below is a list of the programs, as indicated on their website:
Best Start to Be Smart / Jr. Math Champs for kids 4-6 years old
Preschoolers will enjoy fun, hands-on activities combined with worksheets to help develop their love and confidence in Math.
Visual Thinking Math ( 7 to 12 years old)
This will help kids 7 years old and up to develop their word problem-solving skills using Singapore’s bar-model approach. (Yup, this is the program I’m exploring for our son!)
iPSLE Review
Incoming grade 6 students from schools using Singapore Math will get a chance to review the whole primary Math curriculum to prepare them for this international test administered in the Philippines by the Singapore Ministry of Education. (This will be offered In selected branches only.)
Grade 7 Entrance Test Review
Incoming grade 7 students from various schools can work on their Math skills using the Singapore Math approach in preparing for entrance tests. (Again, this is offered in selected branches only.)
For schedules and venues for the summer classes, contact the Mathemagis branch nearest you.
5. The Learning Library’s Summer Literacy Programs
I’ve been a fan of The Learning Library since I first visited their Katipunan branch after attending a seminar on making reading an effective and lasting habit. I’ve always wanted to enroll the kids in one of their programs but have never gotten the chance to do so. Hopefully, this year will be different!
Below are some of the programs that we’re considering:
Beginning Reading for kids 4-6 years old
A workshop that provides the scaffolded learning approach for children just beginning to read, coupled with interesting stories to make them effective readers
Beginning Filipino for kids ages 4-7 years old
The workshop builds vocabulary and listening comprehension through story read-alouds and interactive activities to help make learning Filipino fun.
Filipino Communication Skills for kids 8-12 years old
This interactive class helps develop oral language and comprehension while deepening awareness of Filipino culture.
Kuwentong Filipino at Balarila for kids 7 years old and up
Teachers will use storybooks to help children acquire Filipino comprehension skills quickly and confidently, with grammar exercises that are aligned with school curricula.
For a more complete list of The Learning Library’s summer programs and corresponding locations, visit their official website.
6. GK Enchanted Farm’s International Farm Village Kids’ Camp
If you’re looking for a “one-time, big-time” summer activity for your kids, then you should definitely check out GK (Gawad Kalinga) Enchanted Farm’s kids’ camp. Our son was able to join it last year, and he had so much fun!
This year, kids will learn how to make stuffed toys, plant herbs, make paint, visit the animal farm, and participate in a Junior Master Chef Challenge! Plus make new friends and commune with nature, of course.
For more details of the Camp, plus schedules, please visit the GK official website.
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Hopefully, this round-up of recommended summer programs for kids will help parents out there decide on the best summer activities for their children. Before you choose one though, do make sure to ask your kids about what they’d be interested to learn or explore this summer. The possibilities are endless!
What do you have lined up for your kids this summer?
