Q&A: The Power of Summer Learning
Sparkler’s education director, Dana Stewart, spent a long time as a preschool teacher and school leader. She’s also the mom of two amazing young children.
At Sparkler, Dana creates and maintains the amazing play content and parenting information in the app. She also oversees Camp Sparkler — our summer learning program, which is available for free through the app to all families which children 0-5 years old.
In this Q&A, Dana shares information about summer learning and Camp Sparkler, and what parents/caregivers can do to promote summer learning with young children.
Sparkler: In your experience, is “summer learning loss” real for preschoolers and young children?
Dana: Yes! I remember as a preschool teacher, we spend the whole year building up routines. By the spring, children are so practiced that they know exactly what to do in the classroom. If they go away for two weeks, it’s like they never learned the routines. When we think about summer learning loss, we tend to think about older children and academic learning, but the same principles hold true for toddlers and preschoolers. They’re just learning different things in school.
Sparkler: As a mom and longtime preschool teacher and leader, can babies, toddlers, and preschoolers actually keep learning in the summer months?
Dana: Yes! Learning never stops with young children. I think that’s why it’s especially important for us — as caregivers of young children — to create opportunities for them to practice the skills that we want to promote throughout the year.
Sparkler: Why is the summer actually an important time for learning?
Dana: I think summer offers new opportunities for learning because a lot of us tend to slow down. The hustle bustle of the school year slows; children are less busy. This gives families opportunities to really dig into their children’s interests. We’re also outside more in the summer months, which gives children a chance to explore the natural world freely in a way that is more complicated when it’s colder outside. Summer can be an especially great time to involve children in activities that focus on skills like helping others, being a good friend, or calming down when they’re upset.
Sparkler: Why have you built the Camp Sparkler program around Sparkler’s Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast this summer?
Dana: The podcast is amazing and I’m delighted to be able to shine a light on it with camp this year. Todd Loyd, the podcast host, is a preschool teacher, and he’s so great with the kids featured in each episode. To be able to hear the children’s ideas and experiences — in their own words — makes the podcast engaging for kids. My child and I both enjoy listening — and it helps me, as a mom, to hear how my own child thinks about these big ideas related to our “hearts,” or social and emotional learning.
Sparkler: Sparkler emphasizes play — why is play important in the Camp Sparkler program?
Dana: Play is how children learn best. I think play is how everybody learns best. The physical experience of play is the best teacher. It’s the joyful self-directed practicing of skills that helps to crystalize new information. It generates new ideas and is the birthplace of creativity and ingenuity. The fact that play is FUN is maybe the most important aspect of play. We are motivated to play because it doesn’t feel like a chore. Playing WITH people you love is even better.
Sparkler: People are busy — how much time does a busy parent or caregiver have to spend playing with a child in order to make a difference?
Dana: The good news is that it doesn’t take much time at all. Even five or ten minutes a day can make a huge difference. The best is when you can spend a few minutes playing with your child and then set them up to continue playing, thinking, and processing independently for a few minutes.
Sparkler: What are some of the highlights of Camp Sparkler this year?
Dana: There are SO MANY new play activities, but I am especially excited about all of the music that we’re featuring this year. Benjamin Weiner and Bill English who wrote and performed the songs (along with featured podcast actors) are so great. My own kid loves the songs, and I’m sure others will, too!
Sparkler: This will be your fourth summer leading Sparkler’s summer learning program. What brings you joy about Camp?
Dana: My favorite thing about camp is creating new play activities I’m really excited about and sharing those with families — and seeing their excitement as they play them together.
Sparkler: How can families access Camp Sparkler?
Dana: If a family already has a Sparkler account, they’ll see Camp Sparkler activities on their app home screen on July 7, 2025 through the end of August. If a family doesn’t have a Sparkler account, they should create one, linking up with their local school or program and then they’re all set. (There’s more information here.) Families can start anytime over the summer. It’s okay if they miss the first day or week. If anybody has questions, just reach out to support@playsparkler.org.
