Program Elements

The Spark Growth Program is dedicated to helping children in the Morongo Basin build strong reading skills and unleash their creativity. For over 30 years, we’ve proudly given back to the community we call home by offering free enrichment activities that inspire learning and joy.

Our team is made up of passionate educators and professionals who carefully design activities to support literacy and creativity, following best practices in early learning and child development.

Through Spark Growth, children experience a wide range of opportunities, from reading and art to math, science, language, and hands-on projects, that encourage exploration and growth in every area. Just as importantly, we focus on creating a safe, supportive environment where children can have fun, express themselves, and feel valued. We believe emotional well-being is just as vital as academic success.

Our instructional approach, shaped by recommendations from trusted experts and organizations, works for both small and large groups and is designed to nurture each child’s love of reading, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Give back to the community

Spark Growth Reading and Art Enrichment Program is intentional in its design and purpose to spark growth in children’s reading and creativity by providing a free enrichment program for children and families in the Morongo Basin.

Free mobile reading and art program for children and families

The Spark Growth Reading and Art Enrichment Program is a free enrichment program that visits various sites, family day care homes, and homeschool environments within the Morongo Basin.

Alignment with area programs

The Spark Growth Reading and Art Enrichment Program is designed to align with ongoing reading and art instructional programs and support curricular standards and goals of learning, of instructional staff, childcare directors, and homeschool parents.

Commitment

Spark Growth Program Directors and staff are committed to establishing and maintaining high quality interactions and relationships through the use of consistent communication with site leaders, and the individual children and families participating in the program.

Positive impact

Spark Growth Program directors and staff members are volunteers and as such, follow the volunteer policies and guidelines of each site modeling positive social behaviors, demonstrating respect for each child and adult, and considering interactions and participation with children, families and adults as opportunities for collaborative and mutual learning.

Social emotional skills approach

Social-emotional skills are modeled and practiced consistently by Spark Growth staff throughout interactions with adults and children. Modeling and practicing social and emotional learning skills during activities and lessons prepares children/students to collaborate with others, monitor their own behavior, and make responsible decisions contributing to feelings of confidence and competence in learning.

Motivation

Shared experiences and opportunities provide children with a sense of belonging, trust, and safety -- all of which have been found to be influential, motivating factors on children’s willingness to attempt new tasks, to participate, to practice, and to grow in many domains

Developmentally appropriate practice

One of the key elements of the Spark Growth Program is the intentional use by program staff of research-based developmentally appropriate practices where age, individual, social, and cultural appropriateness are considered important components in the planning, structure, and implementation of reading and art enrichment activities for children.

Family involvement

Spark Growth views family members as key partners, children’s ‘first teachers’, in supporting children’s reading and creative growth. Program staff plan and provide supplemental enrichment activities for parents and families to use in the home in support of children’s reading and art growth.

Tone and safe environment

The tone and language of program staff, our physical positioning, our voices and word choices, our fair and equal treatment for each child are indicative of our beliefs and goals that all children are capable and regarded as mutual, collaborative partners in the ongoing process of growth and knowledge.