ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – While some snow days provide opportunities to play outdoors, some parents are disrupted as they scramble to find reliable childcare in the temporary situations.
“Long breaks such as the holidays, spring break, and especially summer can result in learning loss,” said Alicia Kindred, YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Association Childcare Director and Kirk Family YMCA Branch Executive Director. “Childcare gaps also remain a significant challenge in our community, leaving many parents struggling to find reliable options.”
Even though the pandemic’s peak has passed the lingering effects are affecting students. Erik Hanushek a Stanford University economist has said that if the loss of learning is not addressed, then the average of a student’s lifetime earnings could be 6% lower.
Students can be prone to falling behind in reading and math making most youth more vulnerable. The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is working to combat the learning loss by featuring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects in childcare offerings daily.
“We love incorporating STEM projects at the Y, and families can easily recreate these at home,” Kindred said. “One activity, Jack Frost’s Crystal Canvas, teaches children about crystal formation and emotions while allowing them to express themselves artistically. Another favorite is the Elf Zipline, which encourages kids to apply engineering skills to design and test a zipline for an elf to travel across a room.”
“These activities keep kids actively engaged while fostering essential skills that lay the foundation for future success,” added Kindred.