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Children have fun playing with objects being lit up in various bright colors.

As summer quickly approaches, only a few spots remain open in the Early Childhood Summer Enrichment Program of Auburn’s College of Education, offering families a final opportunity to register their child for the hands-on learning experience.

Led by Auburn College of Education faculty and educators, the program is for children ages 4 through 8 and reflects the college’s deep commitment to preparing future teachers while delivering meaningful, engaging learning experiences for young children.

“We’re committed to providing a summer environment where play drives learning and children feel empowered to explore,” said College of Education Associate Professor Sean Durham, the Early Childhood Education program director. 

Located in the Doepke Family Early Learning Laboratory in Auburn’s College of Education Building at 345 W. Samford Avenue, the six-week program offers a play-based learning environment grounded in developmentally appropriate early childhood education practices — designed and led by Auburn educators.

The program will meet Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon on the following dates: June 8–11, June 15–18, June 29–July 2, July 6–9, July 13–16, and July 20–23. Tuition for the full program is $600, with a $300 deposit available at registration for families who prefer not to pay in full. All tuition balances are due by the first day of the program.

A student teacher works with a student on an exercise in a classroom.

For more than 25 years, the Early Childhood Summer Enrichment Program has served as a signature outreach initiative of the Early Childhood Teacher Education Program in Auburn’s College of Education. At its core are the Auburn educators who bring the experience to life — lead teachers, graduate assistants and undergraduate teacher candidates who thoughtfully design and guide each day’s activities.

These Auburn educators create a dynamic learning environment centered on exploration and discovery. Children engage in play, project work and hands-on experiences across science, the arts, early literacy and mathematical reasoning. Through carefully designed learning centers and responsive teaching practices, instructors observe and document children’s growth, using those insights to enhance and extend learning opportunities.

The program also serves as a hands-on training ground for Auburn’s future teachers, allowing them to apply best practices under the mentorship of experienced faculty while supporting children’s academic, social and emotional development.

At a time when opportunities for child-directed play are declining, Auburn College of Education educators remain committed to fostering environments where curiosity, creativity and confidence can thrive.

With only a few spots remaining for this year’s program, families are encouraged to act quickly to secure a place for their child. More information and registration details are available through the Early Childhood Summer Enrichment Program website.