Early childhood is one of the most important stages in your child’s development. During the first 5-7 years, children begin shaping their sense of self and understanding of the world around them. It is thought that a child’s experiences during these years can influence their attitudes and behaviors well into adulthood. To encourage their children to have positive experiences which help to foster their development, many parents turn to day care centers, after school programs, and summer camps.

Programs and activities such as these help children to grow emotionally and psychologically, while also helping to prepare them for school. To learn some of the ways summer camp can help your child, continue reading below.

Self-Esteem & Independence

For many kids, summer camp is the first time they are away from home for an extended period of time. While the experience may be a bit scary or overwhelming at first, the fun and excitement of every day eventually overshadows their fears and concerns. As a result, children become more sure of themselves and are more capable of being independent.

Life Skills

Whether your child goes to a sleep away camp in the wilderness, or a local camp affiliated with their day care center, they will gain indispensable life skills. They will learn to complete self-care tasks such as dressing themselves and tying their shoes, while also learning to write and draw. Children may also learn outdoor skills such as pitching a tent, swimming, and how to identify important plants, which can later help with problem-solving.

Social Skills

Perhaps the greatest benefit your child will receive from summer camp is a broadening of their social skills. Summer camp allows children to spend time with other kids from various backgrounds. It teaches them how to interact with one another and how to approach complex situations in a healthy and constructive manner. They will learn how to identify and understand their own feelings, while remaining respectful and empathetic of the feelings of others.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in a summer day camp program, contact First Steps Day Care & Learning Center in Southbury, CT. This day care center runs a number of early childhood and enrichment programs to help children from eight weeks to 10 years old. To learn more about their child care services, visit their website. To speak to someone regarding enrollment for summer programming, call (203) 264-3735 today.