Wednesday, October 30th marked the start of something new for the Camden Central School District. A group of a dozen children and their families gathered for a morning session of crafts, play, and a snack as the District debuted the “Lets Play” Two-Year-Old program at Camden Elementary School.
Operated in partnership with Ready 4 Kindergarten, the “Lets Play” program is the latest addition to the District’s portfolio of early childhood programming. Participation is free of charge for any family residing in the District with an age-eligible child.
The new group meets monthly, and runs as a precursor to the “Look at Me, I’m Three” program, with the idea of creating a two year on-ramp of skill development for students before entering Pre-K or similar programming.
To be eligible to attend “Let’s Play” during this school year, a student must reach their second birthday on or before December 1st, 2024. Effectively, it is for students who will be eligible for Pre-K in the 2026-27 school year. Opportunities for the first session were limited to the first fifteen registered students and their families, and registration is done each month on a first-contact, first-serve basis.
The program offers two-year-olds and their families a space for socialization, play-based-learning, and early acclimatization to the school setting. During this first meeting, students did a craft activity, enjoyed free play time that offered interaction with peers, and had a snack. Families were sent home with information about stages of play, and a copy of the book “Where is Bear?” by Libby Martinez.
Families also had the opportunity to register their child for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, which offers a free monthly book delivery for children until age 5.
(Note: Anyone in the District with a child under Age 5 can sign up for the Imagination Library program! You don’t have to attend any of our programs to be part of Imagination Library. If interested, click this link to get started!)
Stay tuned for details about November’s meeting. An RSVP will be required, and space is limited.
