With a little over a week to go before schools reopen; here are some holiday activities for some relief moms:
- Art Jamming – http://www.artjamming.co.za/
Art Jam has holiday programmes for kids. They have also introduced Messy Play Classes in stores. ARTJAMMING Messy Play offers an outstanding opportunity for children to grow and learn. Young children (from 8 months up to 3 years old) can enjoy and benefit from messy play. Infants and toddlers may simply explore the materials and enjoy textures and smells. ARTJAMMING Messy Play helps children to develop concepts. These concepts are the basis for later learning.
I recently had a bit of shopping to do; so I dropped the boys off and went off. Then I collected them an hour later.
Yeesh has facilities for under 4-year olds and kids who are 4-12 years old.
What I love most about them is that the play areas have been designed by Dr Sandy Gilchrist, who is a qualified clinical psychologist, to ensure both the safety and fun of the children. It has slides, trampoline, jumping castle and soft play obstacles to keep the children busy for a long time. Each area is supervised by a trained child-minder – giving you the time to relax and have some time-out!
- The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre – https://www.sci-bono.co.za
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Southern Africa’s largest science centre, is affiliated to the Gauteng Department of Education to support maths, science and technology education and to help build to South Africa’s science, engineering and technology capacity. Sci-Bono is responsible for implementing the Gauteng Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Strategy.
When I took Mikaili here over 2 months ago, he completely enjoyed it and I found it hilarious and fascinated by how much he know about science watching Paw Patrol and that Blaze Monster Machine cartoons –
- Fame Academy – http://fameacademy.co.za/
The Vicky Friedman’s Fame Academy is devoted to nurturing young South African talent and passionate about the performing arts. They offer musical theatre holiday courses for ages 6 – 16 years.
I have personally not taken the kids here yet, but I plan to enroll them during the next holiday. What I love and appreciate about the performing arts is the confidence and self-esteem it instills in children.
- Bright Young Chefs – https://www.brightyoungchefs.co.za/holiday-club
The Bright Young Chefs team believes that cooking & baking with children can provide many beneficial learning experiences and here are a few:
- Fine Motor Skills: They get to develop their fine motor skill which is the control over the small movements of the hands and fingers, as well as the small muscles of the face and mouth (tongue) and feet. However, the focus is usually on developing the skills of the small muscles in the hands. Tasks such as holding a spoon, mixing, beating, shaking, pouring, rolling or cutting will help to develop your child’s fine motor skills.
- Mathematics: Your child will gain experience in counting and recognising numbers when measuring.
- Reading: They get to read and follow the method of a recipe. They also expand their vocabulary as they learn the names of the ingredients and equipment needed.
- Communication/Team work: Children can learn to share and how to take turns. Then when the cooking/baking is over, they enjoy eating together and socialising.
- Science: when cooking or baking we expose the Children to mini experiments e.g. liquid cake batter turns into a solid.
- General Knowledge: They learn about different foods and their origins e.g Pizza comes from Italy.
- Senses: We encourage your child to look, smell, feel, and taste different ingredients. They use the ears to listen by following the instruction.
To sum up, cooking can be great fun for all children. It can be a great bonding experience between children and a great tool for learning. It also helps to improve the use of their senses. There is the additional benefit that a child is more likely to try new foods, for example vegetables, having been involved in the preparation.
Here’s a beautiful, educational way the kids can learn whilst at play.
- Bounce Inc – https://www.bounceinc.co.za/
Bounce has just launched a KinderGym – this is a Gymnastics Australia program specifically designed for 3–5-year-old pre-schoolers. Hosted & supervised by specially trained BOUNCE KinderGym coaches, Classes are structured to develop kids socially, physically, emotionally and cognitively. This is a huge thumbs-up from this mom!
They have another two programmes that they have launched for other age group. Do check it out!
Also check out the special they have online (there’s always something… believe me!).