Fun activities, aligned with the PA Early Learning Standards, to help your child have a successful Kindergarten year. 
We Are Learning in July
Your child may not begin Kindergarten for a few months, but you can help your child learn throughout the summer. Try these activities, then visit your library to check out a book about it. Click here to print this list.

We are learning Language & Literacy Development
Do it!
Make and enjoy popcorn while reading a story. Talk about the different ways to make popcorn. Talk about the sounds, taste and the feeling of popcorn. What happens warm butter is added to popcorn? Discuss it, then try it. Try different flavor combinations, like sweet or salty. This is a great time to add new and fresh flavors. 
Read it!
Popcorn! By Elaine Landau. Popcorn by Frank Asch.

We are learning Social Studies Thinking
Do it!
Visit a local bakery or ask for a tour of your grocery store's bakery. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds and smell the air. Describe the sounds together. Encourage your kindergartner to think of other things that sound similar. Do the same for the smells. If traveling is not possible, bring the bread home! Open a bag of a loaf of bread and take a deep breath. What do you smell?  
Read it!
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak. The Baker's Dozen by Dan Andreasen.

We are learning Scientific Thinking and Technology
Do it!
Explore the direction of the wind and its connection to bubbles. Go outside and ask your kindergartner if they can feel the air on their face or hand. Use the wands and bubble solution and talk about what happens to bubbles when bubbles land on different objects or surfaces.
Read it!
Bubble Trouble by Joy N. Hulme. Pop! by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

We are learning Health, Wellness and Physical Development
Do it!
Make bread. Use your favorite recipe (check the Pinterest board, Yummy Tummy, for an easy recipe!) or go to your grocery store and buy refrigerated or frozen bread or rolls. Making bread provides your kindergartner with many unique sensory experiences, such as kneading the dough, sprinkling flour, pouring and mixing different consistencies. For children who are unable to eat the bread, share the experience with your child through your words. Describe the taste and textures.
Read it!
The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone. Everybody Bakes Bread by Norah Dooley.
Join Weeks 5-8 on the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip


During July, join the virtual road trip to explore the Beaver Area Memorial Library, Erie County Public Library, Lackawanna County Library System, and Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library.

Print the Road Map and My Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip Travel Journal and share with your child. My Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip Travel Journal is a great way to help children explore books and fun activities. Each week, discover something new with children, then help them complete their Travel Journal.

Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Physical Punishment and Child Outcomes

Studies show physical punishment (spanking) doesn't improve children's behavior and may actual cause long-term harm.

There are ways to address behavioral challenges in children without physical punishment. In Pennsylvania, programs like Family Check-Up, Healthy Families America, Parents As Teachers and Family Centers can provide families the support they need to address challenges that arise with young children before these concerns become more serious or problematic.

Your Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) can help you find assistance. Find your ELRC at www.raiseyourstar.org.
Kindergarten Registration

Have you registered your child for Kindergarten? Registering your child for Kindergarten in advance helps you, your child and your child's school get ready for that first day of school!

Visit the PA's Promise for Children website to find Kindergarten Registration information. If you don't see your child's school information, check back later, as information is being updated throughout the summer.

Do you have questions about how old your child needs to be to enter Kindergarten? The age and cut-off dates are identified by each school district and may be different from one district to the next. Please contact your school district for more information.
Summer Reading with Your Kindergartner

Read Aloud 15 Minutes, a non-profit organization that recognizes the benefits of reading aloud to children and encourages families and caregivers to read aloud every day for at least 15 minutes.

At  readaloud.org materials and resources are available for you to share with others to inspire reading every day. Be sure to look at the family handouts "Where Will Books Take You?" available for various ages and in both English and Spanish:


PA's Promise for Children also has book recommendation lists. Use these resources and share them to help promote reading aloud every day!
Your Child Care Provider's Emergency Plan

Did you know all regulated child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes in Pennsylvania are required to have an emergency plan to keep your child safe? An article from Child Care Aware states that 38% of parents are unsure of their child care provider's emergency plan. 
 
You can be sure your child's regulated early learning facility has an emergency plan that covers things like:
 
  • How you will be contacted in case of an emergency
  • How and where your child may be evacuated in case of emergency
  • You should also receive a letter, explaining the emergency procedures at your child's early learning facility. If you don't, or need a new copy, ask the Director or owner. 
 
Are you looking for a safe learning program for your child? Use Pennsylvania's www.findchildcare.pa.gov to locate an early learning program that is a good fit for you and your child.
 
Get information on the regulations for child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes in Pennsylvania.
Are You Following Us on Social Media?

Get the most up-to-date resources and information from PA's Promise for Children and our partners. Follow us on social media!
Pennsylvania CHIP Can Help Keep Your Kindergartner Healthy

A healthy child is one who can learn more easily in school. Let CHIP help keep your kindergartner healthy!

CHIP is short for the Children's Health Insurance Program, Pennsylvania's program to provide health insurance to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. Regardless of the reasons your children might not have health insurance, CHIP may be able to help you.

CHIP's comprehensive, quality health care coverage includes:
  • Doctor Visits
  • Prescriptions
  • Dental, Vision, Eye Care
  • Emergency Care
  • Immunizations
  • Hospital Care and much more!
Online Vaccine Quiz

An online quiz from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has brief questions to help you identify needed vaccines to keep your kindergartner healthy. Take the quiz and get a list of vaccines based on your responses. Then discuss the vaccines on the list with your kindergartner's doctor or health care professional.
Keeping Your Child Healthy with the Covid Vaccine

Sesame Street has new resources that let families know it’s okay to have questions about getting their children vaccinated and to encourage parents and caregivers to get informed about the COVID-19 vaccines. Watch Elmo get the vaccine video, print the You can do it poster and the printable Questions for my Doctor sheet.
Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) from the USDA provides free meals to children from low income families so they may receive the same high quality nutrition throughout the summer that they eat in school cafeterias during the school year. To find a SFSP site in your community:
Changes are Coming to Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Program for the HealthChoices Physical Health Plans

Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is changing which Physical Health Managed Care Organizations (PH plans) are available for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers. This was a competitive process that allowed DHS to improve access to care and the quality of care for MA consumers. The PH plan changes are effective September 1, 2022.

MA Consumers will need to select a new PH plan if they are currently enrolled in:
  • Aetna Better Health statewide
  • Highmark Wholecare (formerly Gateway Health Plan) in the Northwest zone, and
  • United Healthcare in the Southwest and Lehigh/Capital zones.

If a consumer who needs to choose a new PH plan does not do so by August 16, DHS will auto-assign them to a to PH plan. It is vital for consumers to actively choose a PH plan to avoid being autoassigned to a PH plan that may not include their current providers in its network. MA consumers will not lose health coverage if they do not select a PH plan. Coverage will automatically continue under the PH plan they are autoassigned.

MA consumers must contact PA Enrollment Service to choose a new PH plan or change from one PH plan to another.
  • Going to PA Enrollment Services (enrollnow.net), or
  • Using the mobile app called PA Enrollment Services (available through the Apple store or Google Play), or
  • Calling 1-800-440-3989 (TTY: 1-800-618-4225) and select Option 6 to speak with a representative. Hours of operation are Mon - Fri, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More information is available at dhs.pa.gov/PlanSelection.
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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides families access to high quality services to prepare children for school and life success. 
  
Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania