Published: April 19, 2007 12:49 am            

Instilling the joy of learning

Children are like little sponges, ready to soak up the joy of life and the many skills and lessons it brings.

Research continues to tell us, not only do children learn as toddlers and at very young ages it is the most important developmental time of their lives. Play truly is the work of children because it is how they encounter new ideas and experiences.

In fact, they learn best through play.

It’s so important to foster this special time, and a quality early childhood program, like the one offered by Enid Public Schools, is the perfect complement to what parents already are accomplishing at home. It gives children ages 4-8 the opportunity to learn in a developmentally appropriate environment where their individual needs can be met.

Four-year-old enrollment is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Enrollment will be accepted at all 10 elementary school sites. Students must be 4 years of age on or before Sept. 1. Parents can select from a combination of morning or afternoon classes, as room allows.

The classes run Monday through Thursday, with parent participation Friday several times each month. Parents are responsible for transportation, and daily sign-in and sign-out by an adult is required.

Classes are limited to 20 students and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must enroll at their home site. Transfers can be requested, and names will be placed on a waiting list, if needed.

Kindergarten enrollment is scheduled 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27. Full-day classes will be offered at Adams, Eisenhower, Garfield, Glenwood, Hayes, Hoover, McKinley, Monroe and Taft elementary schools. A combination of half-day and full-day classes will be offered at Coolidge.

Parents of kindergarten students should enroll their children at their home school. Transfers may be requested. Students must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 to enroll. Five-year-old students are required to enroll in kindergarten and are not eligible for the 4-year-old program.

Parents enrolling their children as EPS students for the first time should bring the child’s immunization record, birth certificate and Social Security number.

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So now that we’ve established learning begins at an early age, how can you help your child’s academic development? Here are some suggestions:

Children build small muscles and hand-eye coordination when they:

• Thread beads on laces.

• Roll, pound and shape things with Play Dough.

• Tear shapes out of paper.

• Cut with scissors.

Children add new words to their vocabularies when they:

• Talk with each other and with adults.

• Ask and answer questions.

• Name colors, shapes, sizes and directions.

• Describe what they see in photographs.

Children learn other skills and concepts that are used in reading when they:

• Do puzzles.

• Retell stories by saying what happened first, next and so on.

• Help do chores by matching socks or mixing paints.

• Play simple matching or memory games with pictures or cards.

Children learn about the sounds of language when they:

• Do finger plays.

• Sing songs.

• Hear and recite poems.

• Make up nonsense words.

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In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Enid Public Schools’ staff extends an enthusiastic “thank you” to every person who supports the district and its students by serving as a volunteer, mentor or tutor. Your time and talents truly are appreciated. You are making a difference in the life of a child.

As a district, we have more than 2,500 volunteers who give time through classroom and student assistance, workroom support, parent teacher associations and booster clubs.

However, more volunteers are needed. The district has more than a dozen volunteer programs and hundreds of students who could use additional assistance in math, reading and other subjects.

If you are interested in volunteering in any volunteer capacity, contact me by phone at 234-5270 or by email at arfitzgerald@enidk12.org.



Fitzgerald is the school/community relations director for Enid Public Schools. She can be reached at (580) 234-5270 or arfitzgerald@enidk12.org.Visit the district’s Web site at www.enidpublicschools.org.