August 2, 2023 Issue, Page 14 of 16

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8B August 2, 2023 FAMILY PEATURES: 3. Science: Make yard cleanup fun. As eing ready for kindergarten is you clean the yard, talk about the about far more than writing names leaves and why they turn colors and and reciting the ABCs. It is also fall to the ground. Pile them up and about building a foundation for jump in, deeper conceptual thinking, curiosity, creativity and social and emotional skills 4, Executive function: Incorporate your that can help children during their early children in planning for the family. school days and also in life. Help your children stay organized For parents, this transition can be nerve- with a daily or weekly chart. Have wracking and raise questions about how to your children make the chart with you. best prepare their children for the next step For younger children, you can use in their educational journeys. drawings or pictures instead of words. Dr. Lauren Starés, senior vice president 5. Creative expression: Sing and dance and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, and Lee Scott, chairperson of The while you work. Make up songs or Goddard School’s Educational Advisory repeat favorites as your children go Board, recommend helping children through a few basic chores such as prepare for kindergarten through: putting clothes away. 6.Social-emotional development: Build Building Strong Routines and a sense ofresponsibility and caring for Foundations for Learning: others with real or pretend pets. Take 1. Language and literacy: Prac the dog for a walk, feed the cat or writing by making place cards for the water the pet rock. Taking care ofa pet dinner table. For younger childr can help children develop a sense of can be the first letter of each person’s responsibility and empathy for others. name or fun scribbles on the card. 7. Healthy development and well- Early scribbles are part of developing being: Daily routines help your writing skills. children practice fine motor skills 2.Mathematics: Count while you while doing a few chores, such as work. Ask your children to put away setting a table, helping you cook by toys. As they work, you can count mixingor stirring, putting their clothes the toys together. on or brushing their teeth. Photos courtesy of Gety Images Incorporating Playful Experiences: 1. Puzzles: Solving puzzles supports the development ofskills such as concentration, self-regulation, critical thinking and spatial recognition. 2.Board games: Playing games provides a number of benefits for children, including supporting memory and critical thinking, helping them learn to take turns and count, and developing early language skills. 3. Blocks: Block building supports creativity, cognitive flexibility, planning and organization. Take some time to build with blocks using different shapes and colors. 4. Clay: Children need to develop fine motor skills beyond using devices. Few things are better for developing fine motor skills than modeling clay. Learning to sculpt with clay also builds creativity, artistic expression and strategic thinking. 5. Recycled materials: Inspire creativity by finding things around the house to build with, such as cardboard, paper, paper towel rolls and plastic bottles, For more actionable parenting insights, guidance and resources ~ including a webinar with Scott focused on kindergarten readiness — visit GoddardSchool.com, School is around the corner, watch out for kids getting on and off buses! SOx 028. G0 sero. aus Ba CHOOL Fred‘s == Be MN = Steakhouse THRUTUBING Pick-A-Part 2107 S. Main _ Elk City 1318 S. Randall, Elk City, OK 580.243.2100 @ www.fredssteakhouseok.com 1501E 20th St, Elk City, OK 73644 - 580-225-6977 980-225-1464 Busy school days? Come in and let us Custom Embroidery! do the cooking! 0% off #4 Okie 116 W. Broadway 2103 S. Main St 202 §. Randall = Mon-Fri 11:00am- 7:00pm Elk City, OK Closed Saturdays Elk City, OK Elk City, OK 80. 405 Sun 11:00am-5:00pm 580-225-3463 Designs 560-243-543