WHY STORIES?
DID YOU KNOW STORIES ARE THE BEST WAY TO LEARN?
Have you ever wondered why your little one can remember every word of their favorite movie, but not what they did at school? It's because of the story format! Research has found that children who are taught through stories are 65% more likely to retain the information versus verbal information. It's just one of the reasons why we use stories to lead each class we teach as Play Smarter Kids.
Stories are a powerful way to deliver information, and our brains are wired to remember information delivered in a story format. Not only does it create a fun way to learn, it also gives purpose to each lesson. At Play Smarter Kids we use stories to create classes that are imaginative, fun and creative, and as a compelling way to incorporate history, literacy, and complex concepts.
Stories transform S.T.E.A.M activities into a learning adventure that encourages creative problem solving and active imagination.
ENCOURAGE IMAGINATION
IMPROVE LITERACY
Each of our rhyming stories help with language development, vocabulary, and reading while improving listening skills.
ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION
Stories give meaning to learning activities, While listening to stories, children are focused, and are more likely to engage in group discussion with peers.
Stories create a learning environment that is playful and relaxed, allowing children to be more active and curious learners.
RELAXED LEARNING
Students learn empathy, emotions, and communication through characters in the story as well as small group activities.
STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION
INCREASED RETENTION
Little ones are able to remember more learning objectives through story led lessons. It allows them to form meaningful connections through the lesson and story.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Our son struggled in occupational therapy and in speech but has absolutely soared at Play Smarter. He has gone from A to Z in just a month! Their story-based curriculum is one-of-a-kind, hands-on, and is designed to stimulate both sides of the brain simultaneously.
Your kiddos are missing out if they're not going here!!!
Ashley C.
Hunter's mom
Our Story
Stories are a powerful way to deliver information, and our brains are wired to remember information delivered in a story format. Not only does it create a fun way to learn, it also gives purpose to each lesson. At Play Smarter Kids we use stories to create classes that are imaginative, fun and creative, and as a compelling way to incorporate history, literacy, and complex concepts.
Play Smarter Begins
In 2012, Play Smarter Kids started as a mobile program and partnered with various institutions to provide enrichment classes, family science nights, and summer camps to children in Houston.
In 2016, we opening our first location; allowing us to focus on early enrichment education and the impact of literacy immersion on early education.
The impact was amazing, and luckily others thought so too! Our programs quickly filled up and hundreds of children were participating in our story based adventures. In 2020 we took the opportunity to move back to my husband's childhood home of Bonners Ferry.
Nice to meet you
My name is Marissa Sumpter and I have always had a passion for stories. During my college years, I explored various majors, including Speech Pathology, Psychology, Sociology, and Design. While in college, I worked in Montessori and Reggio Emilia preschools, which sparked my interest in teaching.
After graduation, I taught robotics and technology for a local college as a summer camp teacher. In 2012, I combined my love for stories, passion for teaching, and a new found interest in robots to create Play Smarter Kids, incorporating traditional philosophies with modernized curriculum to fit the needs of today's children.