The Mind Lab center offers regular weekly courses and summer camps that are divided into age-appropriate levels, called steps:
- Think Kids for children ages 4-5
- Step I for children ages 6-8
- Step II for children ages 9-11
- Step III for children ages 12-14
Each regular course is made up of a one-hour class that meets weekly for 6 weeks. Camp courses are offered one hour per day for one week periods.
What goes on in class?
Each class, no matter what the level, follows the same basic format:
1. A group discussion or class activity that illustrates the central theme of the lesson.
2. Explanation or recap of the rules of the game.
3. Game playing in groups of 2 to 4 children.
4. Learning relevant game strategies and discussing how they can be applied both in the game and in real life situations.
5. Second opportunity to play the game, this time applying new strategies and problem solving methods.
6. A reflective summary in which the children relate their thoughts and feelings during the lesson.
About one quarter of the lessons utilize student worksheets and focus on a number of previously learned games. In all the programs, especially the kindergarten program, emphasis is placed upon activities which combine movement, drama and stories, and which stress social skills as well as academic excellence.
