Roanoke Valley Family August 2020

August 2020 • Volume 8 • Issue 12 • Free

Summer Skincare

Family Budget Basics Ready, Set, School

Building Communities...

Together.

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leading off: publisher’s note As summer rolls on, we are now starting to plan how our kids are going to head back to school.

The pandemic has picked up speed in recent weeks and shows no sign of slowing down. All of our local schools and districts have been working all summer on ways to keep our kids safe while still providing the education they all deserve.

As school begins for some districts in August, we are faced with theses challenges and more.

Our 2020-2021 school year will inevitably be delayed in some way and will most certaintly be virtual for a lot of students.

of course share activities and more for you and your family.

So, as we start another school year, we wish each of your children a SAFE and HEALTHY year. Embrace the challenges and take them head on! We can do this!

To all of our local teachers; stay strong! We belive in you and we will be there to help you teach our children. We could not do this without you!

Have a great school year everyone, let’s make it the best year we can in these challenging times.

Whatever the next few months bring for all of us, we will be here to help local parents get through it. We will be here to share local news and events and

The Eagan Family

Andrea, Josh, Anika and Evelyn

Proud Members of the Parenting Media Association since 2013! Learn more at www.parentmedia.org.

7

Co n t a ct Us: P.O. Box 4484, Roanoke, VA 24015 540-251-1660 www.roanoke.family

Publishers

Josh & Andrea Eagan josh@virginiafamily.com • Anika and Evelyn’s Parents

Creative Director

Bauer, Our Family Dog, doing his best to look intelligent. Good boy Bauer!

Read Our Other Publications

8

8

Contributors Kimberly Emory • Sandi Schwartz Susan Baldani • Lesley Butterfield-Harrop Rachel Levine • Jacqueline Moon

Connect With Us

/roanokefamily

Tracy Fisher

tracy@virginiafamily.com • Charlotte and Evelyn’s Mom

Community Relations Director

We welcome reader comments, submissions, and the support of advertisers.

jeanne@virginiafamily.com • Parker and Connor’s Mom

We reserve the right to refuse or edit any materials submitted to us as we deem inappropriate for our audience. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with any submission to be returned. We do not accept responsibility for unsolicited materials.

Jeanne Lawrence

Editor

Jacqueline Moon jackie@virginiafamily.com • Elijah’s Mom, and Luke and Blair’s Stepmom

Sales Assistants Ani & Evie Eagan

sales@virginiafamily.com • Bauer and Chloe’s Owners

Webmaster

John Morris • COV Designs john@covdesigns.com

Roanoke Valley Family and www.roanoke.family are published by MoFat Publishing. Roanoke Valley Family is published monthly.

The views and the opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Roanoke Valley Family, its staff, or its contributors. While multiple businesses, schools, and organizations are represented in our pages, and magazines are often distributed to students according to the policies and procedures of each school district, this is not a publication coordinated or endorsed by any public or private school district, nor is it a publication with any religious or political objectives. As a mass media outlet, it is our oath and responsibility to communicate with due diligence, through our content, the plurality of views and opinions reflected in our audience of Central and Southwest Virginia. Readers are strongly encouraged to verify information with programs and businesses directly. Parents are urged to thoroughly research any decisions involving their children. Copyright 2019 by MoFat Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. All material, including artwork, advertisements, and editorials, may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

@roanokefamily

@rvfamilymag

/roanokevalleyfamily

Submit Your Ideas Share your story ideas with us by emailing jackie@virginiafamily.com

© Copyright 2020 Mofat Publishing

Inside August Ready, Set School

You can prepare your preschooler to be a life long learner.

Read on page 20

Cursive: Delightful or Dud?

Should we use precious school time to teach the art of cursive handwriting in the age of technology?

Read on page 36

Family Finances

Do you know how to create a budget?

Read on page 14

10 Fun At Home

23 Jump Into High School

44 Air Resistance

40 Rachel Reads

6 News & Notes

38 Creating a Study Space

As the state slowly and safely opens up, we will share our favorite events, businesses and promotions with our readers!

sciusa quam aut audae voluptum, inverrupta vel endem que volupta id quiatur ibusanit et voluptiosti

26 Roanoke Women

Our new section featuring women’s health and lifestyle articles!

High School is a big change, for parents and students!

Lots of things are going on in and around the Roanoke Valley - hear all about them in our pages!

Courtesy of the Science Museum of Western Virginia.

Courtesy of Burchett Homes.

42 Activity Pages 12 Peach Dump Cake

In honor of National Peach Month, we’re celebrating with our favorite summer sweet fruit! Learn to make the easiest dessert, a dump cake!

Shop. Eat. Local Roanoke Valley Family Magazine to proud to partner with local businesses, restaurants and services and provide great deals to our audience!

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Family • August 2020

7

in the

‘Noke

Noteworthy news from around the Valley

We Heard It Online For the sixth year in a row, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is honored to be included as one of the nation’s “Best” by @usnews.

It was ranked the #5 hospital in Virginia and high performing in nine categories of care nationwide.

-@CarilionClinic

#WildlifeWednesday No, it’s not an unidentified flying object! Did you know that hawks and some other birds can appear to hover motionless in the air? They accomplish this by flying into a headwind.

-@MillMountainZoo

We heard it online!

8

Family • August 2020

10 dogs rescued from South Korean meat farm, brought to Roanoke to find forever homes through Angels of Assisi! Angels of Assisi is currently seeking donations for the naimals rehabiliation and treatments.

-Angels of Assisi

Actions speak louder than words.

The United Way of Roanoke Valley and TAP hosted a recent panel discussion about racism and inequality. (Watch the live recording on TAP’s Facebook page.) Actions speak louder than words. Sparking action, however, often starts by expressing our ideals in words. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” Racism and inequality are deeply ingrained in modern life — holding a commitment to justice and equality demands action to uphold our stated ideals.

That’s why, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, TAP and United Way of Roanoke Valley (UWRV) decided to start with an honest conversation.

They hosted a panel discussion on racism and inequality for human services leaders geared toward practical next action steps. “A panel discussion, of course, isn’t an answer,” TAP said. “However, it’s a start. It’s the kind of moment every generation has had to face — and we hope you will join us in meeting the moment with the thoughtfulness, determination, and above all else, hope, that our future requires of us.”

End Racism Now Mural in Downtown Roanoke Local artists painted an “End Racism Now” mural on a downtown Roanoke street. This project was done with approval from city officials and in coordination with Roanoke’s Urban Arts Project.

Painters joined together last month to “spread a message of love,” said one participant. Eboni Harrington of the Urban Arts Project said “I hope this sparks much-needed conversations and unifies the entire community.”

Based on feedback provided by parents of Roanoke City Public School students, the district has put together videos to answer some of their questions. One video highlights health screenings, cleaning, classroom setup, and meals. Another provides a brief overview of the Virtual Academy.

Still another gives an idea of what transportation to and from school will look like. Find the videos at rcps.info/news/what_s_new/reopening_schools.

Coronavirus Childcare Options in Roanoke County Roanoke County Public Schools has created a task force with the YMCA, The United Way of Roanoke Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia, Prevention Council of Roanoke County and area churches to establish new day programs for parents impacted by alternative school schedules created by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

As new day programs are established, they will be added to the current United Way Smart2Start program, which provides a single-source online option for parents to apply for day programs at www.smart2start.org.

“We plan to launch several new program sites to meet the needs of our community, and we need qualified staff immediately,” said Michelle Davis, CEO with Boys & Girls Club of SWVA. Both B&GC and YMCA are currently hiring for school year programming across our region. Both part time and full time positions are available and will need to be filled for new sites to open.

Family • August 2020

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N U F at E M O H

National Peach Month Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy these sweet southern fruits! Check out our peach recipe on the next page!

August 9

Book Lovers’ Day Book Lovers Day is a great day to celebrate. Just grab an interesting book, find a quiet, cozy place, and crack open the cover. Celebrating Book Lovers Day in August is pleasurable on the deck, under a shady tree, poolside, or in a cozy hammock. If you fall asleep while reading, that’s okay. It’s all part of the relaxing benefits of being a book lover.

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Family • August 2020

August 10

Lazy Day Celebration Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! Lazy Day is your chance to goof off, and definitely not work. And, it definitely comes at a good time.

Hot, muggy weather makes it easy to kick back and be lazy for a day. If summer chores are not done by now, they can just wait one more day. It is best spent on a hammock, along with your favorite summer beverage.

August 9-14

Perseid Meteor Shower The annual Perseid Meteor Shower is one of he brightest, numerous and long lasting of all the meteor showers.

Best of all, it occurs each year in August, at a time when the viewing weather is warm, most days and nights are cloudless. The number of

meteors you see, is dependent upon how dark of a location you watch from, and the number of expected meteors. This number can vary significantly from just a few to hundred per hour. On a good, moonless night, 60 - 100 meteors per hour are likely.

gather nectar from two million flowers. A single bee will gather just a 1/2 teaspoon of honey in its lifetime. After all of this hard work, honey bees deserve this special day of recognition.

August 16

August 12

National Middle Child Day It is very fair and fitting that we celebrate, and place into the limelight, the middle child today. Go out and enjoy this day to the fullest. Tell the world about it. Be a little outspoken, and let the world know how great it is to be the middle child. You truly are a wonderful, talented, and special person!

August 15

Honeybee Awareness Day Did you know that many bees have to travel 55,000 miles to produce just one pound of honey? To get that pound of honey, those bees need to

Tell-a-Joke Day

FULL DAY & AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE

August 29

International Day of Bacon

Wanna hear a joke about paper?

No doubt about it; today will be a fun-filled day with lots of laughter! To fully participate and enjoy this day, just tell some jokes.

You can do it in person, or pass along a few humorous emails. That’s easy enough to do. The more jokes you tell, the more fun this day will be. We also encourage you to listen to many jokes today.

Everybody is getting into the

HERE FOR YOU

act, and in order to tell a joke, someone has to be present to listen to the joke.

Let’s start the day with bacon and eggs. Go ahead, take a couple extra strips.

For lunch, its definitely a BLT or Turkey Club with Bacon sandwich. And, don’t forget a cup of potato and bacon soup. Dinner can be a wide range of entrees! Everything from a bacon cheeseburger to a bacon wrapped steak is fair game. Your salad should be topped with bacon bits, as well as your loaded baked potato.

There, that’s an international day of bacon well celebrated.

Sure.

Nevermind... it’s tearable.

The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is here to provide children fun and educational experiences and parents peace of mind knowing their children are being cared for.

ROANOKE, SALEM & BOTETOURT SITES Limited capacity. Register today! www.ymcavbr.org Family • August 2020

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l ley ’s a V e k o n a o R Pa r k e n i l o p m a r On ly T

B o o k Yo u r rty Bi r t hday Pa To day !

Easy as pie

Peach

Dump Cake DIRECTIONS INGREDIENTS 1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9”-x-13” baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Combine peaches along with syrup and cinnamon in prepared baking dish and stir to combine.

3. Pour cake mix over peaches in an even layer. Layer butter evenly on top.

4. Bake until fruit is bubbly and cake is cooked through, 50 to 55 minutes.

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5.Serve with ice cream.

Cooking spray 2 (15-oz.) cans sliced peaches in syrup 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 box yellow cake mix 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, very thinly sliced Ice cream, for serving

Try with Peaches Thinly slice a peach and add it to a pizza for a sweet twist. If we can allow pineapple, peach can join the crust too!

Dice a peach and add it to your taco bar, it pairs really well with spicy salsa.

Add peaches to your next pork roast to help keep the meat moist and flavorful.

Grill a slice or two and add to your favorite green salads.

Peaches make a perfect alternative pancake topping.

Add chunks of peach to your morning smoothies.

Add peach puree to your favorite BBQ sauce recipe and be surprised with the sweet tanginess before the spicy kick!

A simple peach jem is a great pairing for toast or ice cream!

Try adding peach to your lemonade or sweet tea for a refreshing summer treat.

Trampolines

& More!

Bumper Cars Ninja Warrior Course Basketball Dodgeball Jousting Pit Fidget Ladder Airbag Pit Launch Tower Arcade with prizes Flight Training Wall Snack Bar 5 Party Rooms

Follow these guidelines to get a handle on your family’s financial situation.

Family Budget Basics

by Kimberly Emory

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Family • August 2020

I grew up in a pretty typical household.

Both of my parents worked — though, during my early elementary years, my mom worked from home, where she ran a daycare. We eventually moved to another town and into a larger house. My brother and I never did without, and we often had luxuries that, looking back, other kids didn’t — such as going on regular vacations, having no problem affording church trips, and my parents paying for my college.

However, growing up, my parents never really discussed money with me. I had an allowance and eventually my own job, but my money was mostly “fun” money. Cell phones were certainly not as expensive as they are now, and my parents helped me out with a car, insurance, and maintenance, while I paid for my own gas.

When it came to budgeting as an adult, and especially after being married and having two incomes (and two sets of wants and priorities), I didn’t have much to go on.

So, if you’re like me and don’t have much experience, that’s okay! You can still learn and get control of your finances.

Choose your method.

You need to decide how you’re going to keep track of your budget. In today’s modern world, most people do it electronically. There are many great apps out there to create and track your budget, most of them free.

I use EveryDollar; you must sign up for it on a computer, and once situated, you can use the mobile app to create each new month’s budget and track expenses. You can also pay a fee and connect it to your bank account, which will download all your transactions.

Then, all you have to do is drop them into the correct categories. There’s also Mint. com, which is free, and You Need A Budget, which is a paid service. Some people prefer to create excel spreadsheets, and others

just like good, old-fashioned paper and pencil. Do what feels right to you, and if something isn’t working, try a different method or app. The important thing is you must write down your budget in some form or fashion.

Decide your time frame.

Every family and situation is different.

Some families have one income, some have two (or more, if you have a side hustle).

Some folks get paid once a month, some twice a month, some every week, and others whenever they make a sale. You need to decide how budgeting will work for you — will you budget for a month at a time, two weeks, or even weekly?

Create your budget: fixed expenses.

Write down all expenses that you know about. This includes rent or mortgage,

Family • August 2020

15

electric, water, phone, loan payments, insurance, daycare, etc. Do not include anything that comes out of your paycheck automatically, such as health insurance premiums or 401k contributions. Every family is different, so anything you pay monthly should be included. This might be gym memberships, Amazon Prime, Netflix/ Hulu/Disney +/etc., medical expenses, or kids’ lessons/activities. Don’t leave anything out.

kids’ clothes, haircuts, gifts (including Christmas), birthday parties (for my kids), car maintenance, family photos (school pictures and our yearly family session), kids’ activities (like equipment needs or trophy money), and the generous fund (for things like buying canned goods for school drives or filling shoeboxes for underprivileged kids). It also helps to have a miscellaneous fund for all the things you forgot about!

Don’t forget to save!

Add to the budget: variable expenses.

Of course, it always helps to have some money saved for a rainy day — because we all know it’s going to rain sometime!

Try to set aside money in savings for an emergency fund. It’s best to have three to six months of expenses saved in case of a job loss, medical emergency, or necessary home or car repair. This is also a good category to save for big things, like the new furniture you’ve been wanting, a cruise for your family in the summer, or even a car!

If you’re able to save for retirement and/ or your kids’ college funds, this is where it would go, as well.

Most of the bills you listed in step three don’t vary too much. Other expenses, like gas, groceries, and eating out, can be very different from month to month. If you know how much you spend on these categories each month, great — put that number into your budget! If not, it’s time to track.

Either keep receipts for a month on all food and gas purchases (and anything else that may fall into this category for your family) or look back electronically on bank and/or credit card statements and write everything down for that category — you might be surprised at the final number. Whichever method you use, decide if you like that number and want to keep it that way.

Or, if it’s too high, decide what you think is reasonable and realistic, and set your budget that way. If you’ve been spending $500 a month at the grocery store, it’s probably not realistic to set your budget at $250. Set it at $500 and challenge yourself to lower it in increments of $20, $25, or even $50 until you can get it where you want it.

Start some sinking funds.

There are certain expenses that most families have that are either sporadic or limited to a few times a year. For these, I create sinking funds. I budget in a set amount per month to set aside for certain purposes. When I need money for that expense, I don’t have to add it to the budget — I just have to pull the money I’ve been saving! This category is very broad and can include anything you want. The ones my family has are school expenses (back-toschool shopping, field trips, and yearbooks),

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Family • August 2020

Be generous on purpose.

While opportunities can arise spontaneously to be generous, it helps to budget in the causes you love. Whether you are giving to a church, supporting a child in another country, or donating to the animal shelter, put it in your budget and you can increase your generosity — not just “whenever you have extra money.”

Make sure every dollar is accounted for.

This is YOUR money. You’re in charge! You can put anything in your budget that you want! So many people see a budget as restrictive: “I’m on a budget, so I can’t do this or that.” However, a budget gives you permission — and therefore freedom — to spend! If you want it there, put it there! Just tell all of your money where to go, whether to a bill, into savings, or an envelope for a certain expense. If you have money left over after budgeting, put it somewhere or it will “disappear” and you won’t know what you did with it.

Have a budget meeting every month.

If you’re married, you and your spouse need to be on the same page with the budget.

One person usually ends up making the budget, but both spouses need to approve the budget and follow it. Making a budget is no good if you don’t stick to it! Talk it out and tweak what you both feel needs tweaking. Discuss and compromise where necessary. And remember: every month is different, so make sure you both bring up potential expenses and account for them beforehand. If you forget something, you need to meet again to go over the budget and figure out how to make it work.

Track expenses and stick with it!

Now you need to track your expenses. As bills get paid and automatic deductions drop, be sure to record them. As you make trips to the grocery store or gas station, track those expenses and check to see how much you have left in the budget in those categories. I like to use cash envelopes for things like groceries, gas, eating out, and certain sinking funds, so I just put the money in the envelope, and when it runs out, I don’t spend on that anymore (or make adjustments where necessary).

Budgeting can often take a few months to figure out. With so many variables (and us being human and all), mistakes happen and things get forgotten. Adjust categories as needed, and pretty soon, you’ll have it all figured out!

Do your numbers not add up?

If your outgo is more than income, then there are certain things you can do to help.

Get a side hustle and increase your income, even if it’s just for a while to get things under control.

Get rid of debt.

Student loans, car payments, and credit card interest is dead weight. Pay that stuff off so you have fewer payments and more money to put toward things that are important to you!

Stop eating out — or majorly cut back.

things that you don’t use or can do without — even if temporarily.

It’s way more expensive to eat out, and it’s not as good for your health, either. Pack your lunch from home and brew your coffee there, too. It helps to budget an amount and use cash envelopes for this category — once it’s gone, eating at home is your only option.

Cut down your grocery budget.

This is usually one of our biggest expenses, yet there are SO many ways to save at the grocery store. My article Grocery Goals from the June 2018 issue can help with more details (find it online at issuu.com/ growingupinthevalley/docs/june_issuu).

Cancel subscriptions.

Do you actually go to the gym? Do you need Netflix AND Hulu? Do you use Amazon Prime enough to justify keeping it? Get rid of

540-966-3990 lenkortho@gmail.com www.lenkbraces.com

Sell, sell, sell!

What’s lying around your house that you don’t need anymore? Can you have a yard sale or start listing things on Facebook Marketplace to make extra money?

Sometimes this might include selling a big-ticket item, like a rarely used boat or camper, a car that is too expensive (and you need to change to a more affordable older, used model), or even a house that is too expensive or large when something smaller with a more affordable mortgage would do.

They just tempt you to buy things you don’t really need. Go to a store with a purpose, shop from a list, and get out!

The majority of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Creating and sticking to a budget can stop that crazy cycle and lead you to financial peace and freedom. Even if you didn’t learn it when you were young, it’s not too late to change — and to show your own kids a different way to control your finances.

Buy secondhand.

Most of my kids’ clothes come from consignment stores, and they don’t care a bit. You can also find great deals on Facebook Marketplace or yard sale groups — just don’t buy needlessly.

Stay away from stores and malls, and unsubscribe from emails from retailers.

Check us out at www.lenkbraces.com

Misty D. Lenk, DSS, MS, PC 228 Commons Parkway Daleville, VA, 24083 Family • August 2020

17

Meet Your Neighbor

Moretti Chiropractic Dr. Moses and Amy Moretti are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and love helping others achieve optimum health too! The couple operates Moretti Chiropractic on Cloverdale Road in Troutville. Dr. Moretti is the chiropractor, and Amy is the office manager and marketing director. The chiropractic practice is their passion to help others improve their wellbeing, and is a way to give back to the Roanoke Valley region.

Dr. Moses Moretti is originally from Connecticut, where his parents owned a natural foods store. It sparked his desire to lead others to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. He has been a chiropractor for 18 years. He studied chiropractic care in Georgia and practiced in other states, but eventually, he and Amy decided to move back to her hometown, Roanoke.

“It felt like this was a perfect fit with how much family focus is here, how much I love it. It’s just really beautiful!

The mountains and the environment really spoke to me,” said Dr. Moretti.

They have been in Roanoke ten years.

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Family • August 2020

Amy Moretti grew up in Roanoke and attended North Cross School. She went to East Carolina University. She is thrilled to be back in Roanoke with her family. She said, “There’s no other place I want to raise my children.”

The Morettis have two children, a daughter and son, and a dog. The family stays active in the region; Dr. Moretti enjoys golf, camping, hiking, running, chess, cigars, and motorcycles. He even rides a motorcycle to work each day!

Amy added that their family just loves being outdoors. Their favorite places include downtown Roanoke and the greenway. The couple said they really love living here because “you can do so many things pretty much year-round here. The people are wonderful. The family-centric nature is wonderful.

There’s so much stuff for kids and families. We love that as well.”

One of the Morettis’ favorite family activities is watching baseball — they spend a lot of time going to Salem Red Sox games, and they are also big New York Yankees fans. They travel to

see the Yankees play when they can.

They also enjoy family vacations to the beach!

While they enjoy traveling, their hearts are here in the Roanoke Valley.

“It’s our community. We live here,” Dr. Moretti said. They use their free time to encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle. “We want people to be happy and healthy around us,” he says. Dr. Moretti frequently teaches classes in the region at places like birth centers, Kids Square, and Green Ridge Recreation Center. He focuses on health, nutrition, and exercise.

They also set up Moretti Chiropractic booths at area events to educate others on the benefits of chiropractic care. These events help them meet new people and guide them to the benefits of chiropractic care for their lives. Dr. Moretti said, “The adults improve their health. The kids improve their health. That’s the best part of it — watching people change their approach to health.”

Both Moses and Amy said they are so

thankful for their patients. They run into patients everywhere they go.

“They’re a big extended family,” said Dr. Moretti. “The more patients I’m seeing, the more people I’m helping.”

Dr. Moretti is certified for both pediatric and adult care. He wants to help as many people as he can.

“I deeply care for each and every person I have the privilege of working with. Watching the patients in our office transform their health is as much a compliment to the quality of chiropractic care they receive as it is to the dedication and hard work of our excellent patients. It’s a team effort,” he said.

The Morettis take great pride seeing the community get healthier with their help!

Moretti Chiropractic can be reached at 8782 Cloverdale Road, Troutville, VA 24175 540-992-3354 Fax: 540-992-5067 info@morettichiropractic.com

REAL. LOCAL.

SAVINGS.

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Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076 © 2019 GEICO Family • August 2020

19

Y

ou’ve picked up your child from her 2s, 3s or 4s program, with the rest of the day or the weekend ahead of you. Now what? It’s a common dilemma. “So many parents would ask me, ‘What do I do with my child when we get home?’” says Elissa Sungar, a former preschool teacher and the co-creator of www.ifnotyouwho.org, a free website that guides parents through 300 short and fun daily activities to help them make sure their child is ready for kindergarten.

It turns out there’s a lot you can do to help your child keep learning all day long and it doesn’t involve workbooks or writing letters over and over. Instead, it’s about playing and interacting with him to develop the cognitive, physical, language and motor skills he’ll need to be prepared for the “big school.”

Kindergarten readiness is vital for a child’s long-term academic success.

Ready, Set, School.

By Sandra Gordon

Consider: It’s estimated that of the millions of children who enter kindergarten each year, half are behind their peers socially and academically, which increases the risk of failure in school. Of the half who aren’t prepared, up to 40 percent won’t finish high school.

“So much brain development occurs before age 6. You want your child ready for kindergarten and you want your child’s classmates to be ready so they can challenge your child,” Sungar says.

“We need everybody on board.”

Parents play a major role in the process and the subtle shifts in how you interact with your child can make a big difference. Here are three things you can do now to help your preschooler become a capable learner.

Let your child take the lead.

When playing with your child, it’s tempting to take over, as in: “Now it’s time to dress the baby doll. Now it’s time to give the baby a bath.” “Many adults think play should be a certain way,” Sungar says. But that’s limiting.

To enhance a child’s creativity and

confidence, guide her instead. “While you’re playing with your child, narrate what your child is doing, ask questions about why she’s doing what she’s doing and what comes next, as in: “Now, you’re giving baby a bath. What’s baby going to do after her bath?” Sungar says. Letting your child run the show gives her a sense of control, which helps develop her thinking skills and solve problems on her own. If she has a tough time getting the baby undressed, for example, don’t do it for her. “It’s critical to let kids explore, learn from their experiences and fix problems as they happen,” Sungar says.

unstructured, selfdirected time and kids need more than adults do,” says David J. Schonfeld, M.D., director of the division of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio. Without downtime, kids can feel overwhelmed by the increased pressure to succeed at school, which can start as early as preschool.

Give explicit feedback.

Overscheduled kids may not know what to do or how to play by themselves. If that’s the case, give your child options, such as “Would you like to draw or play with blocks?” Then, go do what you need to do and check back in with your child occasionally. Keep the TV turned off as well as your smart phone or tablet computer. Even if your child’s favorite app is “educational,” your child isn’t learning through a physical experience when she’s using a screen.

“Preschoolers learn a lot with their bodies and need to try something, fail at it and then try something new,” Sungar says. “When they’re just using their thumbs or index finger on a touch screen, they’re not using the muscles in their hands, for example, which are crucial for holding a pencil, using scissors and throwing a ball.”

Throughout your child’s day, give specific praise and negative feedback.

Instead of saying, “good job,” for example, when your child shows you a picture he painted, you might say, “I like how you used the blue and the red paint. Those colors mix well together.”

Similarly, if your child decides to stand up on a chair, instead of saying, “sit down,” say, “Please sit on your bottom. When you stand, you can fall off the chair and get hurt.”

Get the idea? Giving your child pointed criticism and advice is more valuable than vague remarks because it gives your child direction and helps build his vocabulary. The more words, the better. “The actual number of words kids hear each day is crucial to their long-term development,” Sungar says.

Save one-word negative feedback, such as “No!” or “Don’t!” for safety issues, such as when your child runs out into the street or tries to touch a hot pan.

It’s more effective if they hear “No!” or “Don’t” less often.

Allow free play.

Each day, give your child the space to do her own thing. “Preschoolers need at least four hours per week—up to a roughly half an hour each day-of unstructured play time other than preschool,” says Sungar. Down time allows children to think creatively and gives them a mental breather.

“It’s exhausting to have very little

Each of these activities helps develop your child’s cognitive and fine motor skills. But your child will just know he’s having fun.

When you need a time out: Fill up the bath tub.

Preschoolers love to splash around in water as well as pour it, strain and transfer it from one object to another.

So plop your child in the tub along with items from your kitchen, such as plastic cups, a turkey baster or a strainer or just give them a sponge.

Squeezing a sponge or turkey baster and transferring water from one cup to another enhances fine motor development. Stay in the bathroom

with your child, but feel free to sit back and watch the supervised fun unfurl. Another idea is to fill ice cube trays with water and add one drop of food coloring to each cube. Let the cubes freeze overnight. Then pop one or two ice cubes into your child’s bath water and watch her have a blast mixing the colors. Another fun tub-time activity; add a drop of food coloring to little plastic bowls filled with shaving cream and give your child a paint brush or let her explore it with her hands on the side of the tub.

When you’re making dinner: Have your child make tinfoil letters.

Ask your child to squeeze a sheet of tinfoil into a skinny tube then see what she can do with it. Can she make a circle? A triangle? A letter, like a b? Be sure to show her what a circle looks like if she doesn’t know or point to letter examples on food labels.

When you’re waiting anywhere: Have your child go on a letter hunt.

Bring along a magazine or the newspaper and have your child circle letters, numbers, animals or people with a marker.

Sandra Gordon is an award-winning freelance writer who delivers expert advice and the latest developments in health, nutrition, parenting and consumer issues. Her most recent book is Save Dollars on Diapers: Smart Strategies for Slashing Diaper Costs from Birth to Potty Training.

Family • August 2020

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differs from middle school. Dr. Karmen Russell, a child psychologist, suggests that parents introduce their teens to “home rooms” and the frequent changes in classes throughout the day, and help them plan their day by studying the physical layout of the school together: “If your child can begin to imagine what their first few weeks at high school might look like, this may help with the anxiety that can accompany the transition.” Grace Chen, an education researcher at Public School Review, a well-known education site, agrees: “It’s very important for incoming high school students to learn their way around the school and get an idea of the structure of the school day.”

Jump into High School

By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

By the time they reach high school, your kids are no longer kids but they’re not yet adults either: they occupy a unique middle ground we call the teenage years. How do you prepare your teens for all the academic and social challenges of high school? Here’s what the experts say:

Visit the School Starting high school often means literary moving to a different school, and that can make any teen anxious.

One of the best things you can do is to make it a priority to visit their new school on back-to-school night.

As Michael Zwiers, a professor of educational psychology, says, “familiarity helps to reduce anxiety.”

The experts at KidsHealth, a major health-news site, add that highschoolers should familiarize themselves with all the important parts of their new school, including the main office, the various administrative offices, and the school nurse.

Explain School Expectations

Teach Them Organization As in middle-school, success in high school depends in large part on how organized your kids are. They have lots of courses, taught by different teachers, and the workload is often heavy and difficult. “Learning and mastering the skills of getting organized, staying focused, and seeing work through to the end,” the experts at KidsHealth say, “will help teens in just about everything they do.” They suggest that parents keep their teens organized with binders, folders, and notebooks for each course, a calendar with all upcoming deadlines, and a daily to-do list of assignments.

… and Time Management An important part of good organization is time management. Ms. Chen suggests that parents spend the summer before high school showing their kids how to organize their daily schedule so that they have time for all their activities. “The right system initiated over the summer,” Ms. Chen says, “will mean less stress over time management throughout the school year.”

You can make your teens less anxious by explaining to them how high school

Family • August 2020

23

Encourage Book Reading Help your budding high-schoolers by encouraging them to read lots of books.

This can be challenging since many teens read few books other than those they’re assigned at school. But, reading books is good for them. Amanda Morin of Great Schools, an education think tank, says that parents shouldn’t be picky about what their teens are reading as long as they’re reading books: “whether she prefers graphic novels or teen romance books, the important thing is that she’s reading.” As Ms. Morin says, “unplugging from her electronics for a while and getting lost in a good book could be one of the simplest ways to help her perform better at school.”

Help With Homework Unlike organization, time management, and reading, experts agree that parents should take much more of a hands-off approach when it comes to homework.

As Ms. Morin pointedly says, “if the last time you studied pre-calculus was when you were in high school, you probably won’t be of much use when your teen has questions.” Kris Bales, an educational curriculum reviewer, adds that high-schoolers should take responsibility for their own education; they’re supposed to be what she calls “self-directed learners.” Instead of helping your teens with their homework, Ms. Morin says, talk to them about finding someone who can help them: “Staying after school for a homework club, meeting with a teacher individually, or seeking assistance from another student could make a big difference in their grade.”

Manage The Stress High school can be stressful: the academics are hard, and so is the pressure to fit in socially. If academics are the primary worry for your teens, Ms. Chen says, help them create a schedule that includes ample time for homework as well as friends.

Conversely, if your teen is concerned about making new friends, Ms. Chen

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says, remind them of all the times they successfully made friends in the past: “Bring his strengths to the forefront to help him understand why his current friends chose to spend time with him in the first place.”

Create Support Networks

“unplugging from her electronics for a while and getting lost in a good book could be one of the simplest ways to help her perform better at school.”

Another way to help teens manage stress is to encourage them to create support networks of adults and/or other teens. Ms. Chen suggests that parents help them assemble a network that includes an older sibling, an extended family member, as well as a teacher, school counselor, or perhaps even their pediatrician, whomever your teens are comfortable talking to. Professor Zwiers recommends that peers also be included in the network. If your teens have friends who’ll attend the same high school, they should consider traveling to schools together in the morning and/or meeting up before school or during lunch. As Professor Zwiers says, “this will give them the opportunity to share and compare experiences - essentially normalizing what they’re going through, while brainstorming solutions to challenges they might be facing.”

Teens can also find peer support by joining extracurricular activities like art, music, or sports. “When students get involved in extracurricular activities in high school,” Ms. Chen says, “they cultivate a sense of belonging and meet new friends with similar interests to their own.” Professor Zwiers agrees: “this can be an easy way to connect with others who’ve similar interests, while building a support network at school.”

Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences & Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

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in Our Health Magazine

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ABOUT MORE than justjust your smile.

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might notice we changed a little.

While we have NextNext timetime you you visit,visit, you you might notice we changed a little.

While we have always accustomed to following strict infection control precautions, always beenbeen accustomed to following strict infection control precautions, we’ve made a few changes notice.

From our temperature we’ve made a few changes that that you you maymay notice.

From our temperature and and screening station to our improved surgical masks screening station to our newnew and and improved N95N95 surgical masks and and faceface shields medical grade air purifying filters in each treatment room, shields and and medical grade air purifying filters in each treatment room, to to fewer people in waiting the waiting room, we’ve made changes to keep fewer people in the room, we’ve made changes to keep you you and and youryour family comfortable. us today to schedule appointment. family safesafe and and comfortable.

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Roanoke WOMEN

A new section focusing on women’s health and lifestyle.

SNACK IN THE BOX $9.99 | Drinkinthebox.com Snack in the Box is the coolest snack container, featuring two separate chambers that each hold 6oz of your favorite dry snack. Using USA-made Tritan, the body lets you fill with 2 different types of snacks, and the Tritan pop-up lids let you easily pour out the snack from each chamber individually.

Cervical Cancer Screening 3 things every woman should know Women’s health can be complex, and every woman has unique considerations and needs. Well-women exams are an important time to bring up these needs and take proactive steps to protect your health, including important testing for things like cervical cancer.

Results from a new survey conducted by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) and HealthyWomen evaluated behaviors and attitudes among healthcare providers

and women related to cervical cancer screening. Top findings underscore important cervical health considerations every woman should know: Co-testing using both the Pap and HPV tests together is the most effective testing option The Pap test and HPV test together is an important testing option to ask about during a well-woman appointment. Each test has a role to play.

The Pap test looks for cellular changes that could be precursors to cancer, and the

HPV test screens for the types of HPV most likely to cause cancer.

Women receive the benefits of two tests with just one sample.

The survey found that co-testing using the Pap test and HPV test together has increased over the past five years, helping to screen for cervical cancer in a more comprehensive manner.

In fact, 89% of healthcare providers believe co-testing is essential for women’s health and 95% see the value of the Pap test in screening for cervical cancer. Additionally,

“I like that it’s a good snack container to throw in a bag and it stays shut. It is also fun for my son to open and close, and it keeps him busy. We love that it’s dishwasher safe as a lot of things aren’t. The only downside I would say is the size, but that’s a big component. The only snacks we had on hand that would fit were Cheerios and Goldfish. I’m guessing you could fit some small dried fruit or puff type snacks in as well, but it’s too small for crackers, sliced fruit, pretzels, cookies, or carrots. For this reason, I would give it three stars. If it was a bigger size, it would be much more useful, especially given the fact that it is labeled as age 3+.”

-Amanda Dufraine, Roanoke “Snack in a Box is, perhaps, best suited for a parent with a toddler. It keeps two snack foods separated well, so a moister snack won’t make the dry snack mushy. It’s easy to pop open either side, and the other side stays latched without any unwanted spills. However, only very small snacks (Cheerios, peanuts, etc.) come out easily. For instance, even some pieces of trail mix wouldn’t fit in the 2” x 1” compartment when filling it.

When emptying it, quite a few couldn’t pass through the lid opening. Other than that, it’s easy to clean and fits perfectly in little hands.”

-Diane Meeks, Roanoke:

Family • August 2020

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90% of women say they understand the value of the Pap test.

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Family • August 2020

“During your visit, ask your healthcare provider about co-testing using both the Pap test and HPV test for a more comprehensive cervical cancer screening,” says Dr. DaCarla Albright, member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council. “Both tests together provide the best way to protect women’s health and well-being, helping to detect cancer so it can be treated effectively.”

be tested. This is reflected in the survey, as healthcare providers’ recommendations and reality differ widely.

For example, 43% of healthcare providers recommend that women 30-65 who’ve been tested get retested every five years, yet only 23% follow this recommendation. The majority of women opt to get tested more frequently, with 1% tested every four years, 31% tested every three years, 14% every two years, 27% every year and 1% every six months.

Your doctor or nurse practitioner can help determine how frequently you need to get tested

“The best way to determine your optimum frequency of testing Both is to talk tests with your Should you healthcare together go every provider,” provide the best said year for a wellAimee way to protect woman Chism exam Holland, women’s health and be DNP, and well-being, screened WHN-BC, for helping to detect FNP-C, cervical FAANP, cancer so it can past-chair cancer, or do you of the be treated only need board of to be tested effectively.” directors for every five the National years? Current Association of guidelines Nurse Practitioners recommend that women in Women’s Health. ages 21-29 get tested “He or she can with the Pap test every give you a tailored three years, and women recommendation based ages 30-65 should get on your age, cervical co-tested no longer than cancer screening history every five years. and other factors.”

However, the right testing frequency can still seem confusing, and women are unsure how often they should

Discussing cervical cancer with your doctor or nurse practitioner helps ensure the best protection

The survey found a disconnect between the conversations healthcare providers and women believe they are having regarding cervical cancer. This critical conversation is important to ensure regular screening. Cervical cancer survival rates increase significantly the earlier the cancer is detected and treated.

While 76% of healthcare providers claim to discuss cervical cancer and HPV frequently as part of their routine exams, women’s perception is that they don’t discuss these conditions as frequently, with only 27% saying they talk about it with their healthcare provider most or all of the time and a quarter of women saying they never discuss cervical cancer with their healthcare provider.

Women and healthcare providers should prioritize having an honest conversation about cervical cancer risks and testing to empower every woman to take the correct steps to protect her health.

To learn more about the Cervical Cancer Today survey, visit npwh.org or healthywomen.org/ cervicalcancerscreening.

DON’T PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD. See us safely.

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From virtual visits and mail-order prescriptions to online registration and 24/7 MyChart messaging, you can now get the same expert medical care you expect from Carilion without leaving home.

And when you do visit our facilities, we are right here by your side—together with the screening, testing and safety protocols we’ve developed to keep you and your care team safe.

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Building Up STEAM

35 Easy Tips to Try at Home

by Janeen Lewis

STEAM has grown in popularity in recent years as a way to educate children for the twenty-first century.

STEAM programs have been adopted in many schools, and the future will include STEAM-related jobs. Foster a love of STEAM at home with these fun and easy ideas.

Science Children are naturally inquisitive, and curiosity is the backbone of science discovery. Here are some easy ways to inspire kids to dive into science.

Give children a scientific start. Use scientific words and make exploring a part of everyday life.

Welcome questions like “Why is the sky blue?” Questioning is the first step of the scientific method.

Encourage household problem-solving.

Bread dough that doesn’t rise, an inside door that sticks in winter, or an insect infestation in the garden are gateways to hypotheses, experiments, and answers.

Create a kitchen science lab with common ingredients. Make homemade ice cream in a Ziploc bag, make butter out of heavy cream in a mason jar, or grow geodes in eggshells.

Have a blast — literally! Many safe experiments involve things that erupt.

Make a papier-mâché baking-soda-andvinegar volcano. Go outside and drop a pack of Mentos in a two-liter bottle of soda or launch a bottle rocket. Discuss the science behind the blast.

Grow a garden. Start seedlings from kitchen vegetable seeds or trimmings.

Relate science to hobbies. Learn the physics behind the fastball or discuss how a gymnast balances on a beam.

Technology Most parents set screen time boundaries. But kids love devices, and future jobs will require skills in technology. Embrace screen benefits that build technology skills.

Make the computer your friend. Teach your child how to do research, make brochures for school projects, and use spreadsheets for chores and allowance.

When you take a family trip, let your

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child research places to visit.

Start coding early. Check out www. code.org for fun ways kids can code online or without technology. Other coding sites to try are Codeacademy, Kodable, Lightbot, Scratch, and Tynker.

Introduce Raspberry Pi. Kids can use this card-sized single board computer for basic programming.

Let them make a stop-motion video.

Apps to try: Lego Movie Maker, Stop Motion Studio, Lapse It, iStopMotion, and Clayframes.

Use digital tools to help with schoolwork. Try dictionary.com, thesaurus.com, and khanacademy.com.

Explore study aid apps like Tinycards, and use the apps myHomework and My GradeBook.

Engineering Does your child love Lego blocks or Minecraft? Does she want to take apart the toaster or fix the cell phone

when it breaks? Here are some ways to encourage a budding engineer.

Teach kids the engineering design process (check out a kid-friendly version at teachengineering.com).

Let them join a Lego robotics club.

Keep building supplies on hand. Try Legos, wooden blocks, K’nex, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys and Duplo bricks. Also keep recyclables like cardboard, paper towel tubes, and cereal boxes. There are even edible options like cheese, grapes, and marshmallows. Pair one of these with toothpicks or pretzels for building.

Be positive. Even if you don’t think you’re good at art, try some art media along with your child. He or she will be more willing to try, too.

Stock up on art supplies. Watercolors, finger paints, crayons, colored pencils, pastels, construction paper, sketchbooks, and origami paper are some examples.

Experiment with evaporation art. Mix salt with water and paint. Have your child predict what will happen to the salt and water.

Encourage children to complete towerbuilding challenges. One fun and easy way to do this is with notecards or old playing cards and no other materials.

Kids can only fold the cards, no ripping or cutting.

Borrow a how-to-draw book from the library. Step by step directions will give your child more confidence.

Sculpt with air-dry clay. Your child doesn’t need a pottery wheel to create with clay. After the clay dries, it can be painted.

Create Catapults. Some materials to try: Popsicle sticks, spoons, drink lids, rubber bands and pom poms.

Listen to a variety of music genres.

This will open your child’s mind to different artists and styles of music.

Build a Rube Goldberg machine out of household materials. This machine is intentionally designed to perform a simple task through a series of complex chain reactions. To learn more, visit rubegoldberg.com.

Sign your child up for a creative writing class. Read poetry books.

Join a radio control club. Planes, helicopters, and boats often inspire children. Building their own involves creativity and problem-solving skills.

Build a miniature roller coaster.

Give your child materials like pipe insulation, marbles, cups and duct tape. Watch them take their creativity for a ride.

Arts Children can be artists by painting, drawing, sculpting, singing, playing an instrument, dancing, or writing. Take note of inclinations in these areas and foster a love of the arts.

Inspire creativity. Immerse your home in different types of art. Listen to music, collect art or art books, or check books out from the library.

Math There are many ways to make math relevant and interesting. Research shows that most children can succeed at math.

Teach number sense. Mentally work through problem-solving logic with your child. Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late by Laura Overdeck is a good book for promoting math discussions.

Check out Texas Instruments’ STEM Behind Cool Careers (https:// education.ti.com/en/activities/ stem/gen-stem) for videos connecting algebra, geometry, and physics to jobs like fashion design, flying jets, and more.

Cook or bake together. Measuring, equivalent fractions, and conversions are all part of recipe building.

Try grocery-store math. Have kids weigh enough produce without going over a dollar amount, compare prices for the best buys, and stay within a weekly budget.

Measure the miles. When going on family outings, find the distance with your child. Calculate the miles and time it will take to get there and how much gas will cost.

Assign chores and give an allowance.

They’ll be asking for ice cream and movie money anyway, so why not teach practical budgeting skills in the process?

STEAM supplies Keep these materials on hand for experiments and STEAM projects: Cardboard Paper towel tubes Straws Aluminum foil Empty water bottles Plastic lids Beakers or jars with lids Funnels Tongs Epsom salt Rock salt Alum Baking soda Vinegar Food coloring Marbles Potting soil

Janeen Lewis is a writer, teacher and mom to Andrew and Gracie. She has been published in several parenting publications across the country.

Family • August 2020

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For most kids, skin care can be summed up with two S’s: sunscreen and soap. And according to Susan Gaylor, master aesthetician with Carilion Clinic Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, applying sunscreen should be included in kids’ regular daily routines.

“Protecting your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet [UV] rays should be a lifelong goal,” she said. “Starting the habit from childhood will make applying sunscreen as natural as brushing their teeth and washing their hands.”

Summer Skin Care

Sunscreen The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children, including babies 6 months and older, use a sunscreen every day that has SPF (sun protection factor) of at least

By Laura Mitchell

Think outside the book.

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Family • August 2020

15 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Infants younger than 6 months should avoid sun exposure but can use minimal amounts of sunscreen if exposure is unavoidable.

Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. And remember that snow reflects UV rays as much as water and sand do, resulting in sunburn more quickly.

hands and bathe. Have them lather up their entire hands, including between fingers and under nails, before rinsing well.

Thorough hand washing is more important now than ever, to protect against exposure to COVID-19.

During baths or showers, kids should use water that’s warm but not hot.

Moisturizers

In addition to “Starting the habit sunscreen and soap, it’s a good idea to keep from childhood will make applying moisturizers on hand.

Most sunscreens double sunscreen as natural as moisturizers, and as brushing their that’s usually enough teeth and washing for healthy skin. During winter, or for kids who their hands.” are prone to dry skin, a Most children need little simple, fragrance-free moisturizer is more than a mild soap to wash their It’s also a good idea for kids to wear a hat with a brim and neck-shade and, if possible, long sleeves and pants.

Soap

all that’s needed.

Children with chronically dry skin or conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis, or who have an allergic reaction to skin-care products, should be treated by their pediatrician or dermatologist.

As puberty sets in, use moisturizers that are labeled as noncomedogenic because they won’t contribute to pimples.

As always, and like never before, we’re here to see you safely through all your health care needs. Visit CarilionClinic.org/safe to learn how.

For up-to-date information about our response to COVID-19, visit CarilionClinic.org/coronavirus.

Welcome to Richfield Living

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With a focus to encourage vibrant living and individual wellness, 2020 brings exciting new senior apartment options and convenient Town Center amenities to this location catered to those looking for an active, independent lifestyle.

In 2021, Richfield will open a Rehab Center and household-centered skilled nursing facility in Roanoke City offering private rooms, shared kitchens, and the resident’s choice of waking and meal times. Together, both campuses will provide a setting where individuals become members of a secure, supportive and active community promoting personal well-being and joy-filled living.

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Cursive: Outdated or Relevant?

By Rebecca Hastings

I watched my daughter try to sign her name just about the signature line. She looked at me a little lost. I felt sorry for her and frustrated that she had not been prepared for something so simple.

Cursive hasn’t been taught in my kids’ district in years. They had become whizzes on computers, but what about something as simple as signing your name? It made me wonder if cursive was a thing of the past or something worth reviving.

It’s certainly a heated argument regarding the current state of education. The role of cursive is ambiguous at best and there are no clear answers.

One thing we can all agree on: the role of cursive in modern education has changed.

Incorporating cursive in the curriculum had been on the decline, but it was in 2010 that we saw a drastic drop. With the implementation of more technology there was a shift to more typing, however, the Common Core creating more rigorous classroom standards made things particularly challenging.

Something in the day had to go, and cursive was already questionable. It

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Family • August 2020

seemed like the obvious choice.

Education Week addressed this specifically referring to an interview with Sue Pimentel, a lead writer for the Common Core Language Arts standards.

In the interview she, “explained that the decision was about priorities—and that learning to use technology took precedence.”

Not having enough room in the curriculum doesn’t outweigh the benefits of teaching cursive for many.

While some argue to let cursive go similar to the way we abandoned the abacus and the slide rule for more modern instruments, we cannot ignore some of the benefits of cursive.

The word that comes to the forefront of many cursive debates is signature.

As with my experience with my son, we cannot ignore the need to sign our name to documents. And the truth is that many kids are growing up without the skills to do so. If education is preparing kids for life, are we doing them a disservice by eliminating cursive? Something as simple as voter registration becomes an issue for those that have never been taught how to sign their names.

Signatures lead directly to the second most common argument in favor of cursive. The inability to read historical documents because one cannot read cursive can put people at a disadvantage. This argument is much more of a personal conviction than an official one, but it should not be ignored.

Some argue, however, that the ability to read cursive is a skill independent from the ability to write in cursive. Teaching kids the skill of simply reading cursive could be taught in as little as a thirty to sixty minute lesson. The arguments are not as simple as cursive semantics.

The most surprising, and perhaps convincing arguments for cursive in the classroom have little to do with such specifics. They address more general benefits that would be easily overlooked.

Cursive has the ability to teach fine motor skills, increase speed of writing and aid in the creative process. While this may seem like a lofty argument, it goes beyond generalizations to specify the benefits to those struggling with dyslexia or brain injury.

The New York Department of Education

took this further in their research to state, “Kids were better at processing information when doing so by handwriting as opposed to typing.”

Discoveries like this have led New York, the largest public school system in the country, to announce in February 2017 that they would be reintroducing cursive to the curriculum. Similarly states such as Tenessee, California and Lousiana reintroducing cursive, with Louisiana passing legislation mandating cursive in the curriculum in grades 3 through 12.

But maybe this is not an either/or argument. Virginia Berringer, a professor of educational psychology claims that “printing, cursive, and keyboarding activate different brain patterns, and that in some cases, students with certain disabilities may struggle with print but do well with cursive.” Perhaps we need to look at education as a toolbox, with teachers putting tools in and showing students how to use them.

As they mature, students can pick the tools that work best for them.

It is very likely that there is no right

or wrong answer here. The school day is filled with demands, and cursive is a casualty of more than just the digital age. When a child is in school for 6 hours a day that doesn’t mean that there are 6 hours allocated for traditional academics. You lose an hour of that for lunch and recess and likely a half hour for transitions. Subtract 45 minutes for a special and another 15 for snack and your 6 hour day is down to four. And this is if everything goes smoothly.

The best we can do is evaluate the role cursive plays in each individual environment.

My son just started cursive (thanks to a rogue teacher who still sees the value) and I was shocked to see that his typically messy uneven printing was countered by a smooth, thoughtful loops and curves of cursive. It made me wonder.

Maybe it’s time we ask ourselves and our schools questions.

assignment?

Is it just a filler activity?

What is the role of typing?

How can you implement a modern take on cursive within the full demands of a school day?

Can I teach cursive at home?

The best learning always starts with questions.

What questions will you ask for your children, their school, and their town regarding cursive?

Rebecca traded the classroom for writing when she stayed home with her three children. Passionate about authenticity, faith, and family, you can find her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Amazon. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places or wherever there is chocolate.

Is it cursive a good homework

Family • August 2020

37

Creating a study space

Make the most out of your virtual classroom space

Back to school in 2020 looks very different for all of us. Whether your children will attend their regular school full time, part time or will learn entirely virtually, they will need a quiet learning place within the home. Just doing homework at the kitchen table may not cut it when they require peace and quiet for online classes, or you have more than one child that’s participating in virtual learning. Here are some tips on setting up a space to help ensure their learning success.

Know your child’s needs • If you have a child that’s easily distracted, move their workspace away from areas with TVs or large windows - especially those facing the street.

• In school, children often have the opportunity to move, whether it’s changing classes or classrooms, or moving to different work stations. Give them the option of moving to a different chair or workspace if staying still for a length of time is difficult for them.

• Consider lighting or sound needs if your child has difficulty seeing or hearing.

Tips for multiple children • If you have to make the space work for multiple children, get bins for each child’s materials.

• Also consider setting up a bookcase or shelves to allow each child to store their supplies and materials for their classes.

• Set up a schedule for use of the space, if needed, so everyone knows whose turn it is.

• Use a partition, sheet or other makeshift divider if the children need to use the space at the same time.

Hardware and space • Make sure the area has adequate outlets for lamps and chargers without creating a trip hazard with cords along the room.

• You’ll want to have enough space that your children can leave their supplies, books and computer and not have to pack them away each day. Maybe even have a whiteboard or cork board for posting A+ work, photos of friends or other options for personalization.

A native of the area, Curtis Burchett has more than 18 years experience as full-time Realtor. He currently lives in Southwest Roanoke County with his wife and 3 children.

his mama and auntie. The problem is that sweet Epossumondas doesn’t have a lot of sense. His very best efforts lead to all sorts of goofy fiascos. Whether he is walking a loaf of bread home through the dirt on a piece of string or storing fresh butter under his hat on a hot summer day, Epossumondas never gives up, and you have to love him for it!

Arnie the Doughnut

by Laurie Keller

Rachel Reads:

Silliness

We are all feeling a lot of pressure and stress right now. Our fears about the pandemic and all the ways our daily lives have changed weigh heavy upon us. Reading together is a wonderful way to lift that burden a little bit and refocus on the blessings of the moment. Here are some very silly books to read and laugh about together!

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy

(sort of), and decides a walrus would be a better option.

by Mo Willems:

Pet adoptions have increased dramatically since the beginning of quarantine. Whether your family has a new four-legged friend or not, you will all enjoy Pigeon’s impassioned pleas for a puppy of his own. Pigeon is confident he knows just what a puppy needs, including sunshine, watering once a month, and lots of games of tennis. Thankfully, for the well-being of puppies everywhere, Pigeon eventually comes to his senses

40

Family • August 2020

Epossumondas

by Coleen Salley

Epossumondas is an earnest little opossum who is always happy to help

Arnie is a friendly and enthusiastic doughnut ready to explore the world.

It comes as a terrible shock to him when he finds out doughnuts are created to be eaten by people, not to live full and meaningful lives. Arnie and Mr. Bing (the man who had planned on eating Arnie) work together to find a pleasant and happy way forward for both of them. Don’t be surprised if your children start asking you if they can have a doughnut for a pet after reading this hilarious story.

“Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!”

by Patricia Thomas

What would happen if every time you sneezed you had the power of a typhoon? What if your sneeze was so forceful it could blow the feathers off of birds and the scales off of fish? Can you imagine trying to hold in such a sneeze? Poor Elephant has this very problem. He doesn’t want to scare his friends, but he sure needs to sneeze. A brave little mouse takes on the challenge of scaring Elephant to make him forget to sneeze. The question is, will it work?

more questionable decisions. Caldecott Award-winning cut-out illustrations allow you to see all the animals piling up in the old lady’s tummy and add to the fantastic silliness.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

by Betty MacDonald

Do your children refuse to pick up their toys, eat their dinner, or go to bed on time? What you need is the wisdom of the extremely insightful and kind Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Mrs. PiggleWiggle gets kids in a way no other adult every has. Each chapter tells how her amusing advice helps parents change their children’s ways through natural consequences. Be prepared for roller skating at three in the morning, extremely rude parrots, fresh crisp radishes, and lots of giggles.

by Simms Taback

In this traditional tale, a wacky old lady eats a fly and promptly regrets her decision. To counteract her poor choice, she swallows a spider to eat the fly, but then that doesn’t seem like a good idea either and so she swallows a bird to eat the spider. I wish I could tell you the madness stops there, but the old lady keeps making more and

Downtown Roanoke

Sidewalk Sale Coming in August!

Your favorite Downtown retailers offer you end of season SAVINGS!

DowntownRoanoke.org for Details!

Family • August 2020

41

Follow the maze to discover a secret message hidden at this beach!

D raw a But ter fl y

Can you decode our message? _

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_

E _

_

_

_

_

H _

_

2

5

19

1

6

5

1

20

19

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15

GIVE YOUR KIDS’ HOME MOVIE NIGHT THE THEATRE EXPERIENCE WITH SOME GRANDIN POPCORN We are now selling popcorn, soda, and candy to go every Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm!

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Kid Science: Air Resistance Supplies: • Two identical toy cars • Two strips of cardstock or other sturdy paper which are both as wide as the cars and a little bit longer • Tape • Book or board which can serve as a track for both cars at the same time • Stack of books • Blow dryer or fan

Directions:

Community High School of Arts & Academics 302 Campbell Avenue SE Roanoke, VA 24013 info@communityhigh.net (540) 345-1688 www.communityhigh.net 44

Family • August 2020

1. Stack the books and place the board on top such that one end is balancing on the books and the other is on the floor. This should create a ramp or inclined plane.

2. Plug in the blow dryer and place it at the bottom of the ramp.

3. Tape the edge of one of the pieces of cardstock to the front end of one of the cars and bend it over the top so that it creates a curved cover to the car. Secure it with tape

underneath. This car should now have a silhouette or shape that looks like an arch.

4. Tape the other piece of cardstock to the front edge of the other car and bend it into a right angle, securing it to the top of the car. This car should now have a silhouette or shape that looks like a block.

5. Make a prediction, if both cars race down the ramp, which will reach the bottom first?

6. Place both cars at the top of the ramp and let go at the same time.

What happened? Did one of the cars reach the bottom first or did they both reach the bottom at the same time?

7. Make another prediction, will the same thing happen if there is air pushing on both of the cars?

8. Turn on the fan or blow dryer and make sure that the air is able to reach both cars at the same time.

If you are using a blow dryer and

the air current is too narrow to reach both cars, then you will have to do each car individually and time them to compare.

9. Place both cars at the top of the ramp and let go. Does one of them reach the bottom faster now? Did your results change?

Experiment Provided by:

What’s happening?

Have you ever been in a moving car and stuck your hand out the window?

If you do that and change the shape of your hand--making curves and holding your hand up--you might find that the air pushes back on your hand when it is upright but goes over your hand when it is a curve. This has to do with aerodynamics which is what this experiment explores. Aerodynamics talks about how air moves around things. Shapes like curves are more aerodynamic--air moves faster and easier around them. Shapes like blocks are less aerodynamic--air does not move around them as easily so they experience drag or resistance. This happens with our cars to--the block shaped car experiences more drag and so is slowed down more when the fan or blow dryer is turned on.

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millmountain.org/podcast Family • August 2020

45

A lot of learning happens in the first five years.

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Fortunately, you’ve got partners who can help! Smart2Start is your one stop guide for finding — and affording — early care and educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. Bright By Text is a free service that provides tips, activities and community resources to help you give your child a healthy, happy start.

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