Brookings Rotary Club members construct exercise boards for children

Young youngsters in three new early childhood schooling areas inside the Brookings School District could have enjoyable whereas they’re studying, because of exercise boards funded and constructed by Brookings Rotarians.

These exercise boards will enable youngsters ages 3 to five to “fidget” safely whereas standing in line or taking part in in a collaborative area, serving to them to discover units mounted on pegboard, reminiscent of lock and key, mild switches, taps, padlocks, rulers and extra. Playing with the gadgets mounted on the boards additionally will assist these younger youngsters with their small-motor expertise improvement.

The boards had been funded by a Rotary District 5610 grant, with matching funds supplied by the Brookings membership. Rotarians collected the units, purchased what they wanted to complement the boards, and gathered one afternoon in a membership member’s storage to construct the boards and mount the devices.

The idea for the undertaking originated with Rotarian Deb DeBates, who additionally serves on the Brookings School Board. DeBates wrote the $300 grant, which was accredited earlier this 12 months.

“The first five years of life are a time of rapid brain growth,” DeBates, a retired educator, stated. “Stimulating experiences boost brain development and lay the foundation for learning.”

The boards will likely be put in over the summer season on the early childhood schooling areas being supplied this fall in three native elementary colleges by means of a collaboration of the Brookings School District and the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings.

“The activity boards will impact more than 100 children the first year and many more over the course of time,” DeBates stated. “This is a small way our Rotary Club can show support for the children in our school district as we continue to focus on preparing all young learners for kindergarten.”