5 Reasons Your Child Should Learn Hebrew at Camp
Think about how you may have learned Hebrew as child. Now imagine how it would have been if your first exposure to the language was in a fun, friend-filled camp setting. This is Hebrew Immersion at Apachi Village Day Camp, a new program debuting this summer for 3-5 year olds. This summer we’ll DO Hebrew, not teach it.
Here’s why the program is something to consider for your child:
1. Self-Confidence
There’s a natural self-esteem boost that happens when any child learns something new. They’re super-proud, they’re happy and they want to tell you all about it. Exposure to a new experience in a supportive environment leads to a celebrated success for the camper. How amazing is that?
2. Social Skills
Camp is the perfect place to learn about being part of a group; expressing one’s feelings, the importance of sharing, following directions, listening to others, and of course, making new friends.
3. Kindergarten
Being ready for kindergarten is not just about knowledge and skills. It’s also about maturity and an eagerness to learn. Camp is a safe place to try and fail AND to try and succeed. Being immersed in a new language is challenging at first, but kids WILL develop the skills to manage through something new.
4. Brain Development
Learning one language helps you learn others. Between the ages of 2 and 6, children learn a language much easier than they do as tweens and teens. Exposure to a foreign language also improves English comprehension and vocabulary. Talk about being ready to take on Kindergarten!
5. Connection to Judaism and Israel
Through camp, kids will associate “Jewish” with fun (unlike what we experienced in Hebrew school as children). Their world view broadens and they naturally build a meaningful connection to Israel and Judaism in a fun, creative, collaborative environment.
Hebrew Immersion at Apachi Village blends all the fun of J Camp—caring counselors, swimming, friends and more—with the unique opportunity to learn something brand new and life-enriching. Let us tell you more! Contact Abby Ashkenazi at aashkenazi@jccchicago.org