One of the most important things we know about early childhood learning is that young children learn best through play and social interactions. Twinkles—Bright Lights new week-long camp designed exclusively for students who will be entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2026 — is embracing this idea by creating hands-on experiences designed by preschool teachers specifically for soon-to-be kindergarteners. And I couldn’t be more excited to be a teacher for this camp!
Play may look simple on the surface, but it is actually the foundation of how young children develop critical skills. I see this every day as a preschool teacher. When children build, pretend, experiment and create together, they practice problem solving, communication and self-regulation. In play-based environments, children naturally collaborate. They share ideas, negotiate roles in play and learn how to work as part of a group.
Collaboration is especially important during the early years of development. When children engage in activities together—whether building something, acting out a story or exploring a creative project—they begin to understand perspective-taking and empathy. These early social experiences help them develop confidence and build the communication skills they will use throughout their school years.
Our new Twinkles camp creates a space for this kind of learning to flourish. Through playful, hands-on activities, children can explore their curiosity while forming friendships and learning how to participate in a group setting. Experiences like these help children feel comfortable trying new things, asking questions and discovering what lights them up! When children collaborate and play, they aren’t just passing time—they are building the foundation for lifelong learning. And Twinkles camp is here to help ensure that their first steps into the world of school are filled with curiosity, confidence and joy!
Twinkles camp will take place June 8-12, 2026, at Prescott Elementary (1930 S. 20th St). A student can register for either the morning session (9 AM-12 PM) or the afternoon session (1 PM-4 PM). Additional information can be found at https://brightlights.org/twinkles/ .