Programs for Children Ages 5-11
After-School Program - Join the PLAY! We have activities after-school for elementary school kids five days a week.
Summer Camps - Projects and adventures abound in summer camp.
Holiday Camps - We open our doors on select SFUSD school holidays for 8-hour day camps.
Children who attend Mariposa Kids will have their natural curiosity inspired and supported, while also building a deepened sense of independence as they further their social emotional learning in the process. While our central programming provides free play based opportunities for children, we also provide opportunities to serve the community through public space activation, family engagement, and leadership growth for teenagers and college students.
Throughout our programming is ample time for unstructured play providing space for children to develop their social emotional skills with other children. Our trained Recreation Leaders also help facilitate conversations among kids to navigate social situations in ways that encourage reflection, empathy, respect, and understanding. Children playing with kids across different age groups encourages further social emotional learning through shared experiences in creative play. Increased social and emotional competence of children also helps improve their overall safety and positive development at home. Cross-age play also helps older children develop nurturing and leadership skills. Studies have shown that both boys and girls display more kindness and compassion towards children three years younger in age when playing. Similar studies also found that boys who assist with caring for younger children developed into kinder, more helpful, and less aggressive individuals.
Learning how to explore curiosities through child initiated play will build children’s independence and support academic performance when in school. Providing opportunities for children to make decisions on their own with gentle guidance from caring adults that inspire a child’s confidence which leads to deepened independence. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that “play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.” These factors will improve performance in the classroom. Additionally, our cross-age programming helps younger children gain literacy and numerical skills more effectively than counterparts in single age groups as older kids will incorporate reading, writing, and numbers in regular play and thereby, increasing younger children’s exposure to these.
Lastly, through increased access to outdoor play, children will get more exercise which will improve their overall physical health. Access to safe outdoor space will promote outdoor activities that include playground use and sports. We plan for at least a third of a child’s time at Mariposa Kids to be spent outdoors in an effort to increase overall outdoor time for the child and therefore each child with gain the vast benefits that come from utilizing natural or park places like our.
Throughout our programming is ample time for unstructured play providing space for children to develop their social emotional skills with other children. Our trained Recreation Leaders also help facilitate conversations among kids to navigate social situations in ways that encourage reflection, empathy, respect, and understanding. Children playing with kids across different age groups encourages further social emotional learning through shared experiences in creative play. Increased social and emotional competence of children also helps improve their overall safety and positive development at home. Cross-age play also helps older children develop nurturing and leadership skills. Studies have shown that both boys and girls display more kindness and compassion towards children three years younger in age when playing. Similar studies also found that boys who assist with caring for younger children developed into kinder, more helpful, and less aggressive individuals.
Learning how to explore curiosities through child initiated play will build children’s independence and support academic performance when in school. Providing opportunities for children to make decisions on their own with gentle guidance from caring adults that inspire a child’s confidence which leads to deepened independence. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that “play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.” These factors will improve performance in the classroom. Additionally, our cross-age programming helps younger children gain literacy and numerical skills more effectively than counterparts in single age groups as older kids will incorporate reading, writing, and numbers in regular play and thereby, increasing younger children’s exposure to these.
Lastly, through increased access to outdoor play, children will get more exercise which will improve their overall physical health. Access to safe outdoor space will promote outdoor activities that include playground use and sports. We plan for at least a third of a child’s time at Mariposa Kids to be spent outdoors in an effort to increase overall outdoor time for the child and therefore each child with gain the vast benefits that come from utilizing natural or park places like our.
