Visitors to the Cabot Community Pond can now enjoy several new additions to the park. Parks and Recreation just completed construction on a new 3,000-square-foot playground, 2,000-square-foot pavilion, 18-hole disc golf course, restrooms, picnic tables and BBQ grills.

Larry Tarrant, Parks & Recreation Director, said he hopes the new additions encourage more residents to utilize the space.

“By adding these extra features to it, we hope to get more people out there to see that park,” he said.

Tarrant also advised that citizens can enjoy a number of other community activities during the summer, including “Diaper Dolphin” swimming lessons, adult flag football and more. Plus, the outdoor pool is now open to the public for $3 per person, and free to children ages 4 and younger.

For information on these and other Parks and Recreation programs, call 941-1488.

Keeping Kids’ Minds Engaged During Summer Months

Though most kids relish the summertime break from school, Georgia Chastain, principal of Cabot Middle School South, said it’s important they don’t take a “break” from learning.

To prevent students from resting their brains for too long, the school sends home “Fast Track Packets.” The packets contain instructions for reading books, journaling about reading, summer events, math problems and games,

a world map to label and a list of fun educational websites to explore.

If students bring a completed packet to “Schedule Pick Up Day” in August, they receive a treat bag full of prizes. However, Chastain explained that there are plenty of other ways for parents to encourage summertime learning for their kids.

First and foremost, learning doesn’t have to take place indoors at a school desk. Chastain suggested that children enjoy the outdoors and engage in plenty of physical activity during warm weather months. Physical activity enhances mental alertness, she said. If it is rainy and you must stay inside, Chastain encouraged parents to play educational games with their children. “There are some great free apps for iPods/iPads,” she said.

Another important skill that parents can easily help children practice is units of measurement. Chastain suggested giving kids a wooden yardstick or ruler and have them measure items around the house. “Make it into a game with other children by giving them a scavenger hunt list, and see who has the most correct measurements,” she said.

The middle school principal also stressed the importance of higher level thinking for children and suggested “comparing and contrasting” as a way to stretch their brains. “When you’re in the car, play a game by asking your child to name two objects he or she sees,” she said. “Then ask your child to talk to you about how two things are alike and then how they are different.”

Finally, one of the most important things students can do, Chastain said, is “Read, read, read.” She explained that reading helps children in every subject area. “Brain studies show that the act of reading engages more areas of the brain than any other task,” Chastain said. “If you have a reluctant reader, try eBooks.”

Another way to encourage summertime reading is to enroll children in the Cabot Public Library’s Summer Reading Program (see below), where they can win prizes for reading and participate in fun weekly programs.

Cabot Public Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program

Readers of all ages will explore the night this summer as the Cabot Public Library presents its summer reading program, “Dream Big — Read!” The program kicks off with registration on June 4 and ends July 6, with a party for all participants June 28. Activities may include programs on stargazing and moon lore, dreams and wishes, space exploration, nocturnal animals and more. Along with weekly programs and activities, participants are challenged to read as many books as possible throughout the program, logging their books in a reading log.

Children will earn points for each book read and receive prizes such as pencils, bracelets, painting sheets and more.

The Summer Reading Program is open to all young readers, preschool through young adult. The library is located at 506 N. Grant St. in Cabot. For info: 843-7661 or LPRegional.lib.ar.us. ?