Free event helps to prepare families for their child’s first big school experience

Huntersville & Rockingham, NC – Discovery Place KIDS is helping young learners get ready for their first big day of school with Countdown to Kindergarten, a free community-wide program for rising kindergarteners and their families. Focusing on kindergarten readiness and the celebration of a child’s entrance into formal education, Countdown to Kindergarten will be held at Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham on August 8 and at Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville on August 15, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Countdown to Kindergarten features free Museum admission as community partners offer skill-building activities and information that children and parents will need in preparation for their first day of school. Meet with local kindergarten teachers, visit a mock classroom, discover healthy lunches, practice carrying a lunch tray and learn about scissor safety.

“Children who are ready to learn and are better prepared for kindergarten have a greater opportunity for success,” said Discovery Place KIDS Senior Site Director, Barrett Long. “We want families to feel their children are equipped for their first big day in education by providing early childhood and skill-readiness programs. By partnering with the local community, together we are supporting families as they prepare for this signature day in their children’s lives.”

On August 8, Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham invites families to learn about healthy ways to pack lunches using local produce, explore back-to-school book suggestions, and experience the styles of the school year with a fashion show highlighting Richmond County School’s uniform policy. Featured community partners include Richmond County Schools, Sandhills Farm to Table, Richmond County Public Libraries, Belk Department Store, Communities in Schools and Radio Disney.

Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville’s event on August 15 is sponsored by Novant Health, Ballas Chiropractic and Charlotte Checkers, and supported by community partners such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Charlotte Smarty Pants, Earth Fare, Girl Scouts Association, Huntersville Fire and Police Departments, Mecklenburg Health Department, PRO Martial Arts Karate Studios, Radio Disney, Safety Town, Lake Norman YMCA and Town of Huntersville Parks and Recreation. Soon-to-be kindergartners and their families will be able to visit a mock classroom and meet kindergarten teachers, learn about fire safety with a real fire truck, explore school safety with the police, get ready to read with story time and much more.

Each Museum will close at 3:00 p.m. on the day of its event for preparations and then will open the doors again at 5:00 p.m. for Countdown to Kindergarten activities. Countdown to Kindergarten is a free community event. For more information, visit discoveryplacekids.org or call 704.372.6261 x 300.

About Discovery Place KIDS

Discovery Place KIDS is an innovative model in regional children’s museums developed by Discovery Place, Inc., the parent company of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum. Discovery Place KIDS is built on the theme of “I CAN” and offers unique opportunities for learning through play for young children and their parents or caregivers. Discovery Place KIDS has locations in Huntersville and Rockingham, NC. For more information, visit discoveryplaceKIDS.org or call 704-372-6261.

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“Children who are ready to learn and are better prepared for kindergarten have a greater opportunity for success. We want families to feel their children are equipped for their first big day in education by providing early childhood and skill-readiness programs. By partnering with the local community, together we are supporting families as they prepare for this signature day in their children’s lives.”
Barrett Long, Discovery Place KIDS Senior Site Director