Swipe to Explore: Real-Life Learning for Screen-Time Kids

COVID-19 had an undeniable impact on the children born during the height of the pandemic by causing them to miss out on important early-childhood experiences. Mrs. Lafferty was able to help these exact children through her LEAF-funded grant, Swipe to Explore: Real-Life Learning for Screen-Time Kids.

Impact Story

Thanks to the LEAF-funded grant, Mrs. Lafferty was able to help 110 kindergarten students from Don Carter Elementary schools participate in enriching, hands-on learning opportunities at the Children's Museum of Houston. These students were able to develop several critical thinking skills, increase their understanding of cause-and-effect relationships, and strengthen their ability to make real-world connections.

The experiences were able to target a diverse variety of learners. A lot of these students born during the height of the pandemic had unique needs, many of which were met! The project was able to bridge the educational, social, and educational gaps created during the epidemic by immersing the students in a play-based environment that would help them create neuropathways that would transcend elementary school!

Connect Life to Learning

Most importantly, a lot of what these students learned through their time at the Children's Museum of Houston was connected to the TEKs set for them at the kindergarten level, which would largely have not been possible without the experience! By participating in creative, hands-on construction and design in maker species, exploring scientific concepts, and navigating mazes, the students' Health and Social/Emotional Development and Physical Education standards were met.

Overall, these students were able to greatly develop. Through post-trip reflection activities, measurable growth in oral language and vocabulary was already shown, and their curiosity and engagement had overall increased. This will help teachers ensure greater readiness for first grade, particularly in language and social-emotional domains!

"This year’s kindergarten students especially benefit from hands-on, experiential learning to help balance the high levels of screen time that have become “normal” for many young children. Opportunities like this provide essential real‑world experiences that support their development in meaningful ways." - Mrs. Lafferty

A special thank you to our donor community for making grants like this possible!  If you would like to invest in public education and support our mission, please email our office at leaf@lcisd.org.