Hey, it’s Thunderbug surprising Little Learners and campers at the Spurlino Y last month.
Also pictured: Diamond Skinner says her kids Kenny, Zara, and Ava, love attending the Little Learners program at the Spurlino Y.
Last month, a special visitor created a “buzz” at one of our Y centers.
Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug was invited to bring the thunder to our Little Learners, a grant-funded program designed to help little ones get accustomed to structured learning by offering art, physical education, and literacy in a fun and engaging way for children ages 18 months to five years old.
“We just do a more curriculum-driven, play-parent engagement program. So, the kids come for an hour on their own with us but their parents are required to do a parent engagement piece and fortunately we have a partnership with BayCare Kids. It’s all tied into Y programming like Safety Around Water, food and nutrition, exercise and health,” says Kate Myers, Early Childhood Engagement Director. The grant, funded by the Conn Foundation, also funds free swim lessons for participants.
Diamond Skinner says her kids, Zara, 2-months-old, Ava, a year-and-a-half and Kenny, 3, love it.
“They love the teachers, they love how they spend one on one time with them, they love the activities. When they come home they’re always talking about their teachers and how fun it was. We use the pool a lot and the Stay and Play. We took a trip for a little while and all they kept asking about was coming back to the YMCA,” Diamond laughs.
“We’re just that sort of bridge to get them ready for school for children who don’t even leave their house, especially after the pandemic, this is their first time in any kind of childcare or schooling so this helps with their ability to move to a (traditional daycare or preschool).
Check your local Y for more information or if you’re a member of Spurlino Y, email Kate Myers Kate.Myers@tampaymca.org. Thank you Thunderbug for making our Little Learners and campers’ day!