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SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Fall Early Learner Newsletter

The Office of Early Learning and Literacy's Learning Engagement Coaches for Families seek to keep our stakeholders informed on news and highlights with our quarterly family engagement newsletter. For additional information, please visit our website using the link below.  Visit our website

Literacy Learning At Home

Play-Doh Letters Grab some Play-Doh and get ready for some letter-making fun! You can use magnetic letters, letter stamps, or cookie cutters. This is a great, fun way to review letters and begin practicing sight words.

ABC Sensory Bin Pour foam numbers/letters into a bin. “Scoop” out letters using a container or hands. Foam letters can then be used to review letter names, and letter sounds, or to practice identifying the letters in your child’s name or the names of friends/family members.

Sight Word Activities

Flashlight words: Tape words on the wall, ceiling, or floor. Turn off the lights. Use a flashlight to “shine” on a word and challenge your child to read it. Paper plate toss: Write sight words on paper plates. Use them like frisbees to “toss” after reading the word. Sight word password: Kids love secret passwords. Pick a sight word of the week and make that the "password." Write it on a piece of paper and post it somewhere in your house (ex: the fridge, the pantry, a door, etc.). To enter the pantry, for example, everyone in the family must read the “password”. This repetition, exposure, and practice will make learning sight words loads of fun.  Practice writing sight words in sand or sugar. Build sight words using cut-up pool noodles, alphabet cereal, or Twizzlers.

Tech Tool Teach Your Monster to Read is a fun program to help children learn to read. It is free on desktops and laptops. This program covers everything from letter sounds to reading full sentences. This is a fun and meaningful way to allow screen time at home. Teach Your Monster to Read

Seasonal Book Recommendations

These books can all be found at your local library. Visit your local branch to get your child their very own library card!

The Very Last Leaf By Stef Wade

The Day You Begin By Jacqueline Woodson

First Day Jitters By Julie Danneberg

Little Tree By Loren Long

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn By Kenard Pak

The Smart Cookie By Jory Jon

Click here to learn about the family's role in school.

Community Partners

Palmetto Pre-K is a one stop shop for finding free educational preschool programs in South Carolina including locating preschool programs that are near you as well as information about how to apply.

First 5 SC provides support for families from birth through age five by helping to connect families with South Carolina’s public services for young children.

South Carolina’s Early Childhood Advisory Council strives to ensure that all children reach their highest potential. The collaborative group of early childhood leaders works together to support families and help young children thrive.

Digital Read Alouds

The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill All Are Welcome by Alexander Penfold Be You! By Peter Reynolds Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Profile of a Ready Kindergartener

All children are ready to benefit from a quality kindergarten experience when they are 5 years old by September 1 of that school year. But kindergarten readiness is more than a matter of age. South Carolina’s Profile of the Ready Kindergartner describes the physical, cognitive, social and emotional signs that a child is prepared for school success. Click the link below for resources and more on the Profile of the Ready Kindergartner. *Resources available in both English and Spanish

LEARN MORE

All students graduate prepared for success in college, careers, and citizenship. Supporting students and schools to meet the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.  Website  About SCDE   Newsroom Contact

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