A Gaston County preschool is teaching toddlers to be engineers – well, sort of!
BELMONT, N.C. — The Learning Experience in Belmont is using special techniques to teach young kids problem-solving skills through its Little Engineer program.
The Little Engineer program runs for 17 weeks and is now in its second year. The teachers say they see a difference in the kids now that they’re using these special kits.
“It gives them the ability to problem solve and get really creative while also learning science and math skills,” Sarah Ballard, the center’s manager, said, adding it helps kids gets hands-on learning with the subject matters. “It really gets them thinking. They get to see like — what do magnets do and then they’ll take it even further, what can we do with a magnet?”
For Sharell Dargin, it’s even bigger than that. Her 4-year-old daughter was premature and has been delayed with learning. She says the Little Engineer program has been a game changer.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvement now,” Dargin said. “She talks. We see a big difference. She’s able to tell me what she wants.”
Dargin said the program has helped introduce kids to problem-solving skills and helps them learn to work with others.
The teachers say it’s just as rewarding for them to see the ideas clicking for the kids.
“To me, it’s the most heartwarming thing,” Ballard said. “That’s why we’re in this business. We’re here for the kids, that’s why each one of us is here … We love children, we want to see them grow and succeed. Just to know that my program here is helping even just one child, it’s just very fulfilling.”
Contact Michelle Boudin at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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