As I sat in the restaurant continually reminding eight-year-old Sabina to keep quiet and 2 -1/2-year-old Martin to keep still, my friend came and with great passion said, "Come on, let’s take them to Action Kidz."
Action Kidz is an innovative day care center located at the 4th floor of the Discovery Suites on ADB Avenue. It is a child-magnet! Upon arrival, my children were immediately enthralled.
The colorful entrance – a medley of reds, blues, and greens – is decorated with larger-than-life (to a child’s eye, anyway) crayons, ruler, and pencil, not to mention a very tall "tree". The yellow wall is filled with photographs, and a Philippine flag hangs in front, adding to the massive surge of colors.
We were greeted by a pretty lady, who introduced herself as Teacher Mariel. She was warm and accommodating, and willingly took us on a guided tour of the center.
Teacher Mariel first leads us to the Kiddie World, or gym, where most class activities happen. In this spacious and open area, the children have their Circle Time, story-telling, workshops, arts and crafts, and dance and movement activities. The wooden flooring is clean, muted, and safe for even the most active toddler. A wall-to-wall window not only lets ample sunshine enter, but also doubles as a backdrop for posters depicting our local fruits and flowers, animals, body parts, the alphabet, and numbers. Hula hoops on the floor provide added entertainment for the kids. Music plays as several toddlers eagerly pretend to be denizens of the sea.
Next stop: Wonderland. Teacher Mariel explains that this room is for resting activities, such as naps, reading, viewing, and eating. The room is completely carpeted and filled with stuffed toys, books, a large television set, and several small tables and chairs. Like Kiddie World, Wonderland is filled with photographs of children as well as delightful illustrations and projects created by imaginative young artists.
As a five-year old boy settles on one of the dining stools to eat a sandwich, my children look at him with a trace of envy and rumbling stomachs. Sigh. Snack time ... again. Luckily, Teacher Mariel offers biscuits, cookies and juice which my kids eagerly pounce on.
Before eating, however, Teacher Mariel tells my children to wash their hands. Like the rest of the place, the restrooms are a delight to see (and use!). Splashes of color abound. The girls’ toilet is decorated with a flower garden theme, while the boys’ bathroom depicts an ocean with ships, fish, and a smiling octopus. The sinks are age-appropriate, low enough for a toddler to reach the faucet.
After a quick snack, Teacher Mariel takes us to the most enjoyable area in Action Kidz – the Romp Room. Here, the walls and floors are cushioned with blue mats. Padded obstacles in odd shapes such as tubes, undulating waves, arcs, and circles are scattered haphazardly. Children are free to climb, jump, roll, and run. A Keiser Space Maze is found at the end of the room, where children creep and crawl, and sometimes even enjoy a short drop into a hole filled with plastic balls. Members of the Action Kidz Kiddie Club are allowed unlimited use of the place, while the preschool students use it mostly for their Creative Movement classes and to improve their large motor skills. Naturally, this was the place my children chose to run around in with complete abandon.
It was increasingly obvious that my kids would be perfectly happy to wait at Action Kidz while I met with my friend. Teacher Mariel assured me they would be fully occupied. My eight-year-old could participate in the Celebrity Reading session – a regular activity at the center. Every so often, a special celebrity guest is invited to read a story to the children. This is usually followed by an arts and crafts activity.
My son, on the other hand, could join the ongoing preschool class where they would have activities based on the chosen theme for the week – friendship. These include singing, storytelling, art and movement.
It turns out that Action Kidz holds regular preschool and even pre-preschool classes throughout the year – not just during the summer. In fact, Teacher Mariel explains, enrolment is already ongoing for the June classes, which will begin on June 16.
I was also assured that in Action Kidz, all the teachers are highly qualified educators, and very fond of children. Their aim is to allow kids to develop confidence in themselves and the world around them. Children, especially toddlers, learn to make new friends while learning important skills.
This year, parents and kids can expect more action at Action Kidz. Tuition fees include snacks, daily day care services and membership to the Romp Room. For inquiries and reservations, call the program director at (2)636-0747/636-0790/635-2222 local 3851 or visit Action Kidz at Discovery Suites.