SUMMER SUCCESS AT HOME: a special program for 2020
Going to kindergarten is a big change for kids (and families). Summer Success at Home is all about helping children get ready for kindergarten while having fun at home
During the 4-week program, 4- and 5-year olds going into kindergarten this fall learned key kindergarten readiness skills such as early math, language and literacy skills, and kindergarten routines. They did this through a tablet they received with preloaded educational videos, weekly chats with their Summer Success teacher, video chats between parents and teachers, and at-home activities to do together, including storybooks. The 4-week program was free for all children.
DOWNLOAD THE 2020 REPORT HERE
PARTNERS:
The Summer Success at Home program was made possible through the collaboration between:
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BACKGROUND: Summer Success Camps
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Schoenbaum Family Center and Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy offered Summer Success camps every summer for children entering kindergarten in the fall. The camp offered two different four-week sessions at no cost to families with breakfast and lunch also provided. Children build their knowledge in language and literacy, math concepts and peer relationships through creative hands-on activities including storybook reading, art, and glass projects. Priority is given to children in the Weinland Park neighborhood and to those who have not attended preschool. Children receive free admission to Franklin Park Conservatory and the Columbus Museum of Art. The program is funded through a $60K Ohio State Impact Grant with the support of other community organizations.
The Summer Success program was developed in consultation with researchers, educators, and community partners in the field of early childhood education. Program materials (daily lesson plans, sample schedules, recommended storybooks, suggested creative and auxiliary activities, and select screening and assessment materials), are provided free to early childhood educators and community partners who are interested in implementing the program.
RESULTS:
A previous evaluation of the program found that children who participated made significant gains in their kindergarten readiness skills. The results were published in our whitepaper, “Summer Success: A Comprehensive Kindergarten Readiness Camp.” A report from the 2019 Summer Success program can be found here.
MATERIALS:
- Download the Summer Success Kindergarten Readiness Camp Manual
- Download the Summer Success Assessment Materials
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Kari Welch, literacy technician for the Schoenbaum Family Center, by emailing welch.524@osu.edu.
