Project Learn focuses on social/emotional skills, language and communication, fine and large motor skills, problem solving, and other developmental skills that are vital in early childhood. Activities include, but are not limited to, science, technology, engineering, math, physical fitness, art, literacy, and health. 

The play-based curriculum for this program is developed utilizing the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines and the South Dakota Content Standards. 

Play-based learning consists of structured activities that have a goal. The students get the freedom of choice over their actions and the flexibility of problem solving while having fun. Project learn coordinators ask the students open-ended questions and provide slight nudges to help the students learn while they are “playing”. This provides the students with opportunities to use their critical thinking skills and curiosity to continue learning after the school day is done.

Project Learn coordinators work directly with teachers to further enhance what the students are learning in the classroom. 

Boys and girls in grades JK-K attending McKinley Early Childhood Center may attend this program.

Project learn is from 3:20pm-4:30pm Monday-Thursday and follows the Watertown School District academic calendar.

This program has a maximum of 50 youth that may attend. At McKinley Early Childhood Center, enrolled students need to attend a minimum of three days per week. If the student is not attending the minimum number of days, they may lose their eligibility to participate  in the program. Attendance will be periodically reviewed. We will reach out with attendance concerns. 

Snack is provided for free every day.

This program is offered for free, courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown and the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant.  

For more information about Project Learn please contact Nicole Sauer at 605-886-6666 or sauern@bgcofwatertown.com