Sylvan, the nation's leading provider of tutoring services, scoured the U.S. to find top venues that keep kids happily engaged in the learning process throughout the summer months. The Alligator Farm, a longtime local favorite, made the cut.
"We looked for places that have an educational component but also an equally compelling fun component for kids," says Dr. Rick Bavaria, Ph.D., senior vice president for education outreach for Sylvan Learning. "The best way for children to learn is to have an enjoyable time while they're learning. And what kid isn't fascinated by alligators and crocodiles?br]
But it's not just the large, lizardly residents that capture kids' attention at the Alligator Farm. The venue also features an array of feathered friends from around the world, including South American toucans and parrots, Australian kookaburras, Asian pheasants and African hornbills. Then there's the mammal collection, which includes eight species of endangered monkeys, from the world's smallest - the mouse-sized pygmy marmoset - to the large South American spider monkey.
During a visit to the Alligator Farm, parents can participate in the learning process too.
"As you walk, ask your kids to describe what they see," Dr. Bavaria advises. "Ask them to identify their favorite animals and explain why they are favorites. That gets children to thinking and making choices. Ask them to compare and contrast the alligators to the crocodiles. This gives them the opportunity to develop their vocabulary and observational skills. You can also figure out ways to make math problems. Ask them, 'if we saw six alligators over here in this part of the park, and we saw five alligators in another part of the park, how many have we seen?'"
It's not just the children that benefit from learning.
"The whole idea of a zoo nowadays is to educate visitors, especially children, about conservation," says Katie Girvin, the Alligator Farm's curator of education. "When you learn about an animal, you care about it and want to save it. The Alligator Farm gives kids the opportunity to see it, learn about it and care about it enough to help conserve it."
"Rather than filling summer days with video games and TV, there are a number of places for parents to take children that have educational but fun aspects," Dr. Bavaria adds. "Each of Sylvan's Seven Summer Learning Wonders has a tie to school subjects such as science, history and technology, and also makes great back-to-school stories to share with classmates."
Other venues chosen are:
- Purity Dairies Plant Tour in Nashville, TN;
- Dakota Dinosaur Museum, Dickinson, ND;
- Solo's Restaurant in Colorado Springs, CO;
- Jelly Belly Candy Factory Tour, Fairfield CA;
- Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, ME;
- Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, Washington, D.C.