When I first learned about Rocket Reading Camp at Kidville, I thought, “What? My son just turned four! I don’t think he’s really ready to start reading.” I mean, don’t get me wrong, I think my son is super smart (just like we all think about our own kids), but maybe it’s the former teacher in me that associates learning to read with little ones in Kindergarten. When Kidville offered for us to try out Rocket Reading Camp in exchange for blogging about our experience, I jumped at the opportunity, but I had no idea I would be in for such a surprise!
This was my first experience with Kidville and I was blown away at what an opportunity they offer for our kids. Allow me to share with you five reasons we loved the two weeks we spent in Rocket Reading Camp at Kidville.
1. It’s all about phonics. Specific letters are taught each week and each one has a sign corresponding to it to help them remember.
2. The learning time is intense but also very short. This makes sure the kids stay engaged in the lesson and always see it as a fun experience.
3. Games are used to keep them actively learning and expanding on what they’ve already learned.
Because the camp session revolved around outer space, this game went perfectly with the theme. Their teachers, Mrs. Tresa and Mrs. Aaron, spread hula hoops all over the floor. These represented planets and each “planet” had a letter inside of it. As the music played, the kids roamed around the room like they were flying in outer space. As Mrs. Aaron stopped the music, Mrs. Tresa would call out a letter sound. The kids were to find the corresponding letter and jump in to the “planet.”
Such a great idea and my little guy loved running around the room in search of the next “planet” to jump in to!
The next game he loved was Phonics Twister. I got such a kick out of watching him play it and I was so surprised at how well he did with all of these games.
4. Free playtime gave them something to look forward to! Going in to the gym was something they LOVED doing and gave them the chance to burn off some of their built up energy.
5. Parents get a weekly progress report that includes tips for how to continue reading with your child. Aside from seeing all that my little guy had learned, this was my favorite part about Rocket Reading Camp. Now that I know what he’s capable of, I want to build on it at home!
Throughout those two weeks, my little guy was more excited than I’ve ever seen him about learning. He wanted to share letter sounds with his grandparents and I found him teaching those same sounds to his two year old brother as they played. Talk about beaming with pride as his momma!
Rocket Reading Camp is a camp session offered to 3 and 4 year olds or 5 and 6 year olds. You have the option to send your child for five days in one week or 3 times per week over a two week time period. Check out the schedule for Rocket Reading Camp at Kidville and see if it might be a fit for your family this summer.
You might be as surprised as I was with what your child can learn!
Disclosure: I received a free session of Rocket Reading Camp at Kidville in exchange for this post. My positive thoughts are all my own. We just loved it THAT much!
