LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Learning loss and decline can occur during students’ winter breaks. But a Kentucky community center continues to serve families by offering free programs so parents don’t have to worry.
A study by the American Educational Research Association shows that during learning breaks, children can lose up to 40% of the gains they made during the school year. Wesley House Community Services is just one of many places in Kentucky trying to keep kids entertained this winter break and prevent that decline. This winter break, Barbara Carney-Perks is using pudding and cornstarch to keep nearly 20 kids entertained.
“Once we’re halfway pliable, it should look like this — like play-doh. I’ll go ahead with some more cornstarch and we’ll add some more,” Carney-Perks said.
Barbara Carney-Perks helps a young girl with an edible play-doh project at Wesley House. (Spectrum News 1/Diamond Palmer)
Carney-Perks is the youth program coordinator at Wesley House in Louisville and directs winter break activities for the Youth Brigade Academy.
Spectrum News 1 first introduced you to Carney-Perks this summer. She ran the academy and taught 80 children.
As the kids scoop up cornstarch to make edible play-doh, she’s reminded why she’s doing the work. It is a position that the lifelong teachers have held for a year and this activity is considered fun learning. The program directly incorporates Jefferson County Public Schools STEAM learning objectives.
“We do math because we need to measure. We do science because we take the two ingredients and measure them. We achieve sensory because they play with the play-doh and then team effort as well,” said Carney-Perks.
Every winter break, low-income children can come to Wesley House at no cost to their parents and retain the things they learned during the school year, while also learning new things. “We will also be making things for the home all week. Encourage them to make them with love as they can give them as gifts to family. We also planned a field trip,” Carney-Perks said.
The edible play-doh can be eaten, played with or kneaded for three days. By the end of the week, kids will even do some yoga and celebrate with a holiday party.
“So again, we serve the whole family. It’s true that their kids are here, but they can also work knowing “my kid is safe, they’re in a fun environment, they’re learning things, and they’re engaged in school,” Carney-Perks said.
Carney-Perks knows the kids look forward to the activities, but some have no idea how much of a burden it takes off the parents’ shoulders.
Wesley House will continue to serve students through their after-school program, Youth Brigade Academy, after the New Year. All information can be found here.
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