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14 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 If you think school and play don't mix, think again. school is a sure sign that summertime activities -- Certainly, the start of baseball games, the beach, Decorative Art Studio Thurs. Sept. 4 Fri. Sept. 5... Sat. Sept. 6.. Thinking of trying a new hobby? Beginners classes start Sept. 25 Open House & Registration Check us out at: www. paintinfriends.ca (519)853-0777 77 Mill St. E., Acton . 10 am to 9 pm . 10 am to 9 pm -. 10 am to 5 pm and the pool -- are com- ing to a close. However, a child's general play activi- ties should not stop simply because it is time to hit the books. In fact, your child should continue to play year-round, since valuable play experiences can help prepare him or her for school, making friends and learning. Spontaneous play may offer more benefits than doing structured activities like computer games or phonics workbooks. One mom learned this through a conversation with her son's teacher. Like many parents, Elizabeth was con- cerned about sending her son Sam to kindergarten because he was not keep- ing up with writing the alphabet like most of the other children from pre- ENJOY YOUR LEISURE TIME The greatest gift you can give your child. Confidence Because with confidence nothing is impossible. With confidence, children have a brighter future. They don't fear failure, but strive to achieve success. The confident child accomplishes more, is more. assertive--- less aggressive, is healthier and leads a happier life. What better gift can you give your child? Free Trial Class SELUGIE NY September 6th. Or ire! CLASSIC KARATE 145 Mill Street East Acton www.classickarate.com 853-9967 school. She asked Sam's teacher if she should get Sam workbooks so he would not be behind in class. To her surprise, she was told that Sam would most likely develop the skills needed for kindergar- ten by playing with his favourite toys. The teacher explained that when Sam pulls his trains around a track, he practices the hand-eye co- ordination needed to move a pencil across paper. Or, if he sorts his engines by colour, he understands that objects can be classified -- a basic math concept. This conversation relieved Elizabeth's concerns, and as a result Elizabeth began to encourage Sam's play and is able to recognize his learning through play first hand. : meni n's school attitude ds [ Through play and recrea- tion activities, your child learns to form meaningful relationships with other people. "There is no better way for a child to learn how to communicate, get along with others and make friends. than by playing with other children," says a U.S. expert. Whenever children interact, whether they are testing each other, arguing about rules, decid- ing on roles, or taking turns, they are practising the rules of social behav- iour. Repeated involvement in social play teaches kids to consider the feelings of others, how to share and how to be a friend. Participating in fun and interesting recreational ac- tivities also help a child's cognitive development, or ability to reason, perceive CVC trailer useful in Credit Valley Conserva- tion (CVC) is delighted with its new "Stewardship on the Go Trailer." The trailer is complete and fully operational, thanks to the generous do- nations from the Halton Hills, Orangeville Bramp- ton and Mississauga chapters of the TD Friends of the Environment Foun- dation. CVC and its volunteer € "¢ Margaret [utzi Certified Personal Trainer FIT TO BE TRIED Personal Fitness Training Start Training now for winter sports Rockwood (519) 831-3221 (Cell) KIOS at the Acton Curling Club <= KURUNG Thursday 6:30-8:00 pm November 6th ~ March 4th . Junior Rock Programme (children ages 6-10) PEM wae TTS (teenagers ages 11-16) Qualified N.C.C.P. Instructors $55.00 plus taxes Come on out for a ROCKIN' good time. Quick! Hurry! We welcome Beginners and Advanced Curlers For further information call Lori @ (519) 856-4033 or Liz @ (905) 877-9890 - Contact the Club @ (519) 853-0110 and understand. After learning her ABCs and ba- sic counting at school, 4-year old Lisa comes home and plays restaurant in her "make-believe" kitchen. She pretends to go grocery shopping and cook, and uses notepads from her parents' office to have her customers spell their orders, which she writes down. When they finish their meals, she writes numbers on the paper and hands them a bill. Through her pretend restaurant, she ex- periments with language and numbers in a fun and entertaining way. The lesson for parents is this: since meaningful play enhances learning both in and out of the classroom, let your children play. watershed partners use the "Steward- ship on the Go" trailer for workshops in communities throughout the 1,000 square kilometres of the Credit River watershed. Staffand volunteers, which include scouts and guides, naturalist clubs hiking groups and local busi- nesses, participate in projects to improve trails, enhance conservation ar- eas, plant trees, restore streams, install cattle fenc- ing, naturalize shorelines and other work. The trailer, clad in eye catching nature images, safely and easily transports tools, literature, potable water, safety equipment and other necessities to work sites. In addition to the housing and transpor- tation of equipment, the trailer's inside is fitted with a whiteboard and educa- tional panels to provide staff and volunteers with any information and mate- rials they may require. Demand for the trailer regularly exceeds avail- ability. Our Hostess will bring gifts and greetings, along with helpful information about your new community. "Honig SINCE 1920 Call Betty Ann 853-1944