(Family Features) Learning to write is one of the defining milestones of early childhood, but it doesn’t happen all at once. Children build writing skills over time, from indecipherable scribbles to writing letters and words. While children progress at their own pace, families can help foster early writing development. Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, and Dr. Sonia Cabell, professor of reading education at Florida State University and member of The Goddard School’s Educational Advisory Board, provide this insight and guidance for families. Early Writing Milestones Writing begins in early toddlerhood, around 18-24 months. The earliest developmental milestone is when children scribble on paper with a crayon. By 2-3 years old, children often draw shapes and narrate their writing. Parents should show genuine interest to help build confidence and interest. Ask your children to read what they write, as this helps make the connection that marks on paper represent thoughts and ideas. It’s not expected for children younger than 3 to write identifiable letters. Instead, encourage them to make marks on paper without constraint, allowing them to freely express themselves. Around ages 3-5, children begin to move from writing (making marks) to handwriting, which is the formalized motion of making numerals and letters in recognizable forms. It’s vital for parents to value their children’s writing no matter what appears on the paper and provide opportunities for them to regularly engage in writing. Children at this age tend to write letters in different ways. It’s common, for example, for letters to appear backwards or from right to left. These are not causes for concern; this is a natural part of the development process. Writing Supports Reading (and Vice Versa) Reading and writing skills develop in tandem, reinforcing each other. Through writing, children experiment with how written language works, learning English moves from left to right and top to bottom. By estimating spelling – using their knowledge of letter shapes and sounds to attempt to write words – they are beginning to break the code of reading. Moreover, when children are composing stories, they are supporting comprehension and oral language growth, which are critical for reading development. Encourage Writing at Home Make writing part of everyday life. While ensuring paper and writing utensils are accessible is a start, materials alone won’t spontaneously create writing experiences. Children naturally want to engage with things they see, so parents and older siblings should serve as writing models. For example, when writing a grocery list, ask your children to write their own lists. When you’re writing a thank-you note, have them write their own. The development of fine motor skills is also essential. One way to do this is provide tools like chopsticks or tongs that require them to use their forefinger and thumb in a pinching motion; this strengthens the hand muscles that are used to write. Also encourage play with small toys like blocks or beads that engage the hands in different ways. As fine motor skills improve, it becomes easier to grip writing utensils and write for extended periods. Writing Tools From apps to workbooks, countless tools and resources tout their ability to help children learn to write. Be wary. Typing on a tablet or computer is no substitute for learning to write by hand. Multiple studies have shown that writing – not typing – better promotes cognitive and literacy development. Avoid activities like workbooks that require repetitive writing of letters over and over, as this inhibits creativity and experimentation. These activities can cause children to fear making mistakes, which can lead to anxiety, frustration and a loss of interest. The best tools are often the simplest: a small writing utensil (not big or bulky; children have small hands and need appropriately sized utensils) and a blank piece of paper. Remember, children develop at their own pace. Provide encouragement and focus on effort, not perfection. To watch a writing webinar featuring Loquasto and Cabell and access additional parenting resources, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com.   Photos courtesy of Shutterstock   SOURCE: The Goddard School

(Family Features) Play is a universal language spoken by people of all ages. Through play, children learn to forge connections with others, build a wide range of leadership skills, develop resilience, conquer fears and navigate relationships and social challenges. For babies and toddlers, play is about far more than just having fun; it’s about learning and building important skills, from cognitive and physical to emotional and social abilities. As children get older, play helps reduce stress levels, process difficult emotions, promote problem-solving and build confidence – skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Despite its importance, play is often undervalued and overlooked due to busy schedules, lack of resources or misconceptions about its benefits. Approximately 4 in 10 children ages 2-4 do not get enough responsive interaction or stimulation at home, based on estimates from UNICEF, and roughly 1 in 8 children under age 5 don’t have toys or playthings at home. To overcome these barriers, it’s essential for parents and caregivers to recognize the value of both structured and unstructured play. Simple, everyday items – like kitchen utensils, cardboard boxes, leaves and stones – can be tools for imaginative play. Setting aside dedicated time for play, even in short intervals, can make a difference. In honor of International Day of Play, consider these ideas to turn everyday activities into playful learning opportunities from UNICEF, which recognizes play as an important means to help children by providing access to evidence-based parenting programs and working with governments to prioritize play-based teaching and learning practices in schools and other learning environments.

• Turn a grocery shopping trip into a scavenger hunt to teach kids about different foods, counting and categorization.
• Role play or act out different scenarios you read in books or see in movies to help develop social skills and emotional understanding.
• Make important language connections when getting dressed, such as identifying different articles of clothing and teaching colors.
• Use bathtime to explore buoyancy and water with floating toys.
• Play “I spy” while driving in the car or going for a walk around your neighborhood to help kids identify different animals, shapes, colors and elements of nature like trees, clouds and more.
• Explore the kitchen through tasks such as choosing ingredients, measuring them and keeping time while cooking.
• Use puzzles and building blocks to help develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Stimulate senses and promote fine motor skills through play with materials like sand, water or crafting dough.
• Make sorting laundry educational by asking children to match socks by color or size, reinforcing their understanding of sorting and categorization.
• Take turns doing the feeding at snack or mealtimes to build hand-eye coordination.

Find more ways to engage your children in fun, engaging play at unicefusa.org/play.   SOURCE: UNICEF

5 expert ways to make the most of seasonal gatherings

(Family Features) From summer holidays and pool parties to spontaneous backyard barbecues with friends and neighbors, the hottest season of the year brings people together. When it’s your turn to host, make the most of the occasion by setting up your space to maximize the fun while showing off your festive side. “Summer is hands down my favorite time to host,” said Kristina Zias, lifestyle, beauty and fashion expert and mom. “I love any excuse to bring people together and – let’s be real – I’m always looking for a reason to throw a party. The key is keeping things low stress for the host and making sure guests feel comfortable the second they walk in.” This season, Zias and Glade are teaming up to share some of her favorite summer entertaining tips, which are simple, low-effort ways to make every gathering feel special. Whether you’re planning a full-blown backyard bash or hosting a few friends for drinks, Zias’ go-to ideas are all about setting the mood and enjoying the moment. 1. Set the Scene Without the Stress To achieve a beautiful scene and make cleanup a breeze, try using disposable plates, utensils, napkins and cups in red, white and blue. A self-serve drink station with strawberry-infused water and a table of colorful fruit skewers adds charm without requiring much prep. 2. Tap Into Nostalgia Through Scent Scent can instantly transport guests back to cherished summer memories, making it a powerful way to set the tone and spark conversation. Zias suggests using home fragrances to do just that. The new Glade Americana collection, available exclusively in stores and online at Walmart, features three limited-edition scents inspired by nostalgic summer traditions like beach trips, ice pops and garden-fresh fruit. Masterfully crafted to help bring summer to every room of your home, they’re designed to evoke warm-weather traditions.

• Berries & Cream: Scents of a classic American summer treat spring to life in a picnic-perfect blend of apple, red berries, apricot, vanilla and sweet cream.
• Summer Pops: Reminisce on childhood memories of a cool ice pop on a warm summer day with bright notes of Brazilian orange, pineapple, strawberry, white peach and sandalwood.
• Beach Life: Transport yourself to a favorite summer vacation spot by the ocean with a breezy mix of sea salt, driftwood, white moss and white peony.

“These seasonal scents can help you evoke nostalgic memories and bring that summer energy into any room of your home,” Zias said. “They make everything feel a little more special and, honestly, they just make me happy.” 3. Keep It Simple and Guest-Friendly Part of summer’s appeal is its easygoing vibe, so there’s no need to overdo it with complicated snacks or overwhelming decor. Lean into the simplicity of the season with ready-to-serve bites that can please guests of all ages, like berries, sliced or cubed watermelon, meat and cheese trays, sliders or chips and light dips. A separate kids station with games and snacks can keep little ones entertained. 4. Create Comfortable Hangout Spots The hot summer sun and cool indoor air means guests will likely filter in and out of the house, so help them feel welcome and comfortable wherever they may be. Consider flexible seating guests can move around on the patio or in the yard, like bag chairs or foldable lawn chairs. Complement your festive indoor drink station with beverage-filled coolers to keep guests refreshed and designate an area for essentials like sunscreen and bug spray. 5. Have a Backup Plan The best-laid plans can go awry when summer storms pop up. Before inviting the entire town for a barbecue, make sure you have enough indoor space and seating in case of rain or extreme heat. For grilling plans, Zias recommends prepping an alternate cooking method to avoid last-minute stress. A little backup planning can help keep the good vibes going, rain or shine. For more summer entertaining ideas, visit Glade.com.   Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (group of friends eating) Photo courtesy of Glade (candles)   SOURCE: Glade