Young Child Program
The Young Child Summer Enrichment Program for high-ability learners is sponsored by the Center for the Education & Study of Gifted, Talented, Creative Learners at the University of Northern Colorado. This year, YCSEP will be offered online to students entering 1st through 4th grades, who show unusual talents and abilities. The program was initiated in 1980 for high-potential, high-ability students and continues to be a successful program each year.
The curriculum incorporates creativity, problem solving and the development of high-level thinking skills based on student interests and passions. YCSEP typically offers classes in the areas of science, math, technology, world languages and cultures, art, physical activities, music, and literature/language arts.
Our Classes
Classes are taught by early childhood and elementary teachers who have earned or who are working on a Master of Arts Degree in Gifted and Talented Education at UNC. They focus on creating classes that are “hands-on, brains-on” and present new content in creative ways, that involve the children in a variety of critical and creative thinking and that work toward developing products that demonstrate what the children have learned.
The social and emotional dimensions are also addressed. Students have opportunities to get to know others who share similar interests and intensities. In addition to teaching content and skills, the teachers look for undiscovered talents and gifts to nurture.
Examples of Previous Course Topics
- Aim, Shoot, Print - Digital Photography explorations
- Dabbling in the Visual Arts
- It’s All About You – Many, Mini Explorations – a Multiple Intelligences Sampler
- Leadership
- Life in the Deep Ocean
- Mad Science and Nerdy Math
- Movement and Games
- Musical Performance
- The Sounds of Stories
- Water: Magic or Science
- What’s Your Story Matilda?
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Beauty and Culture
- Don’t Bug Me!
- Guitar Jam! - Acoustic guitar for young beginners
- Mad Kitchen Scientists
- Physical Science Freak Out!
- Sing With All Your Heart!
- Spanish Mini Course
- World Art
- Writing Upside Down
- Dawn of the Dinosaurs
- What’s Cooking?
- Preserving Memories
- Flight
- Magnetism and Electricity
- Engineering Buildings and Playgrounds
- What Every Spy Needs to Know
- Recycled Art
- Bubble-ology
- Classroom Campground
- Poetry Jam
