The Collab-Lab is an innovative mobile classroom that brings critical, future-focused early childhood education directly to the community at no cost.
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
“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?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
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
Each Collab-Lab program runs in seasonal sessions (fall and spring) and includes:
Our quality assurance includes:
– Consistent educator training
– Family feedback and engagement
– Continuous improvement based on data
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.
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.
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.
– 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 HandbookQ: 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.
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
The Collab-Lab is an innovative mobile classroom that brings critical, future-focused early childhood education directly to the community at no cost.
Children, ages 3 to 5, and a member of their family.
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.
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.
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.
There will be approximately 200 children and families targeted to be served within a year.
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.