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Collab-Lab

Early Childhood Education on Wheels

Collab-Lab Brings Early Learning to Families

Mobile Classrooms Deliver Hands-On Early Childhood Education Where It’s Needed Most

Collaborative for Children’s “Collab-Lab” is a mobile classroom that brings high-quality, future-focused early childhood education directly to families—at no cost. Designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers, Collab-Lab helps families build school readiness skills through fun, hands-on learning rooted in STEAM and social-emotional development.

Click here to see where the Collab-Lab is today

We Bring Learning to Life for Families and Children

We Deliver Early Education Where Families Live and Learn

“Collab-Lab” mobile lab is more than a classroom on wheels; it’s a mobile learning experience that connects families with experienced educators, proven curriculum, and engaging activities. Each visit includes:

– Interactive lessons from our “ I Wonder” curriculum

– STEAM-based activities that build critical thinking

– Social-emotional learning to support healthy development

– Literacy and math foundations for kindergarten readiness

– Parent-child collaboration that strengthens learning at home

Click here if interested in joining our Collab-Lab Parents As Partners cohort?

We Use Innovation to Build 21st-Century Skills

Our classroom on wheels uses a project-based approach to help children:

– Explore, ask questions, and solve problems

– Develop executive function and emotional intelligence

– Engage in real-world learning through play and discovery

We Follow Certified Standards for Safety and Learning

Every Collab-Lab session is led by trained educators and follows:

– Certified early childhood education curriculum

– Health and safety protocols for mobile learning environments

– Pre- and post-assessments to track child progress

We Guide Families Through a Proven Learning Journey

Each Collab-Lab program runs in seasonal sessions (fall and spring) and includes:

  1. Initial Assessment – Understand each child’s learning needs
  2. Evaluation and Research – Tailor activities to support growth
  3. Final Review and Deliverable – Celebrate progress and share results

We Ensure Quality Through Every Visit

Our quality assurance includes:

– Consistent educator training

– Family feedback and engagement

– Continuous improvement based on data

Real Stories from Collab-Lab Families “My daughter learned so much in just a few weeks. She’s more confident and ready for school.” — Tasha R., Parent

WHAT WILL CHILDREN LEARN?

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL):

SEL skills that lay the groundwork for a well-rounded, emotionally healthy, and socially competent individual.

Self-Concept:

Activities to foster a positive sense of self.

Self-Awareness:

Activities to explore and recognize emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.

Self-Regulation:

Activities to help
manage emotions and behavior.

Relationship with Others:

Activities that promote effective
communication, cooperation,
empathy, and conflict resolution.

EMERGENT LITERACY:

Foundational skills for reading and writing that support overall literacy development.

Vocabulary Development:

Strategies for expanding word knowledge and usage.

Alphabet Knowledge:

Activities for letter recognition and letter formation.

Phonological Awareness:

Strategies to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language.

MATHEMATICS:

Activities that help build a strong foundation in math and support overall thinking skills.

Number Sense:

Activities to understand, count, and work
with numbers.

Problem-Solving Skills:

Techniques to develop logical thinking and the ability to solve simple problems.

Mathematical Relationships:

Activities that connect math concepts to real-life applications.

What Families Can Expect from Collab-Lab

– Free early childhood education delivered in your neighborhood

– Hands-on learning for children ages 3–5

– Parent-child activities that build strong learning habits

– Support from certified educators and proven curriculum

Download the I Wonder Parenting Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can participate in the Collab-Lab mobile classroom?

A: Children ages 3 to 5 and a caregiver. It’s free and open to families in the community.

Q: What will my child learn?

A: Skills in reading, writing, math, science, and social-emotional development—all aligned with kindergarten readiness.

Q: How can I sign up?

A: Visit our website (you’re here!) or scan the QR code below to register for the next session.

Choose one of the following ways to request the Collab Lab!

Register online by clicking on this form
Collab Lab registration site

Scan the QR code and complete the event registration form
Or

Email us at mobileeducation@collabforchildren.org

Call us by phone at 713-600-1240

FAQ

What is Collab-Lab?

The Collab-Lab is an innovative mobile classroom that brings critical, future-focused early childhood education directly to the community at no cost.

Who is served by Collab-Lab?

Children, ages 3 to 5, and a member of their family.

What will children and families do when visiting the Collab-Lab?

Through the dual-generation approach to learning, children and their caregiver will work side-by-side to engage in Social and Emotional development through STEAM-focused activities.

How long is the Collab-Lab programming?

Collab-Lab will run throughout the year as a 5-unit program for children and their caregiver. Each program window is currently segmented into 12 weeks of learning.

What curriculum will be used on Collab-Lab?
  • Our core program is the I Wonder curriculum, an innovative, project-based, and play-based curriculum that utilizes 21st-century learning focused on reflection, critical thinking, technology, and problem-solving. The I Wonder curriculum is a dual-generational program divided into five units of investigation. The unit topics correspond to the five general attributes of our Collab Kid: a global learner, an innovative creator, a leader, a digital learner, and a problem-solver. These attributes consist of emotional and cognitive skills that will prepare children to overcome challenges and solve the problems that confront the world in the 21st century.
  • Two other programs will be implemented alongside the I Wonder curriculum to support the holistic development of children in the Collab-Lab. Through Conscious Discipline, a social-emotional program, children will learn skills to manage emotions and resolve conflict. Footstep2Brilliance, a digital early literacy program, will provide the lab-home connection.
What type of activities will be completed during the Collab-Lab programming?

Through the completion of 5 units of learning children will explore, actively solve problems, and take ownership of their learning. As they engage in STEAM activities, their critical executive function skills will be developed and strengthened.

How many children and families will be served by the Collab-Lab?

There will be approximately 200 children and families targeted to be served within a year.

What area will the Collab-Lab serve?

Click here for Collab-Lab Locations

What are examples of activities that will be completed?

ROLL AND RACE ACTIVITY RAMP
Children will explore motion, friction, and cause and effect by placing e a textured path on each side of the divided wooden ramp and then compare how the different textures affect the speed and momentum of rolling objects.

3 LITTLE PIGS STEM KIT
Children will design a house from their favorite fairy tale that can’t be blown down! This activity will inspire them to explore a challenging situation until they find a solution!

CHAIN RCTN STEM SET
Children will set up a course of ramps, pendulums, hammers, switches, and more…then drop a ball onto the tracks and go for the goal box. After each test run, children will fine-tune the placement, distance, and angle of each piece—getting firsthand practice with STEM concepts such as gravity, force, and momentum.

Special thanks to these funders:

CenterPoint
Community Health Choice
ReBuild Texas
Herman F. Fleishman Foundation

If you want to learn more about the mobile education program, call 713.600.1240 or email mobileeducation@collabforchildren.org.