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.
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Keeping Children Safe and Healthy in Child Care Programs
On June 28, 2021, the Pennsylvania mask mandate was lifted, meaning masks are no longer required in Pennsylvania, regardless of vaccination status. Organizations, businesses and health care providers can still require masks, regardless of vaccination status. What does this mean for children in child care and early learning programs?
Currently, children under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. To keep them safe and healthy, it is important to follow COVID-19 mitigation recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This includes frequent handwashing, social distancing and wearing face coverings (masks). Although children and staff in child care and early learning programs are no longer required by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to wear a face covering (mask) indoors or outdoors, wearing a mask by someone who is not vaccinated is strongly recommended both indoors and outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained.
In the coming days, your child's program will be reviewing the CDC guidance and making decisions about how best to continue to implement it within their program. Please be patient with them as they adapt to these changes. OCDEL encourages all child care programs to consult with staff and families prior to making decisions about the continued use of masks within their facility, and to respect the preferences of some staff and families who may wish to continue wearing masks.
In addition, screening procedures, like taking temperatures when entering a child care or early learning programs, are no longer required, but are strongly recommended. Child care and early learning programs are still required to report positive cases of COVID-19 and inform families of suspected outbreaks.
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Families Needed for Exciting New Opportunity
Application deadline July 9, 2021
Pennsylvania families are needed to support and impact early childhood education coursework that is provided at colleges and universities across Pennsylvania.
Family members who have young children who are currently enrolled in child care, Head Start or Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts are invited to apply to be part this cohort, supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
This cohort will be provided opportunities to connect with college and university early childhood professors to provide a family perspective. Family members will be compensated (paid) for their time and reimbursed for travel and child care expenses.
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Family Members Invited to Apply To Serve on PA PKC/HSSAP Advisory Committee
Application deadline July 26, 2021
Family members whose children or grandchildren are currently enrolled or have participated in PA Pre-K Counts or Head Start are invited to apply to serve on the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (PA PKC)/Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) Advisory Committee.
Committee members play an important role in the future of PA PKC and HSSAP programs! They advise the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) about the PA PKC and HSSAP programs, including operations, and program design. The Committee represents the interests of all prekindergarten programs in Pennsylvania including Montessori, Private Pre-K, Religious affiliated programs and others as appropriate and works to coordinate statewide efforts. The Advisory Committee makes recommendations by providing feedback and representing PA PKC and HSSAP provider concerns. They assist in the development of program protocols, tools and resources to strengthen the quality of learning programs in the commonwealth. The Advisory Committee membership brings unique knowledge and skills, which complement those key individuals and departmental staff engaged in this work.
Committee members reflect diverse geographic regions of the state and have a range of attributes, collective skills, and experiences. The application process is open to individuals who possess practical program content knowledge, skills, and experiences. All those who wish to strengthen and advance the PA PKC and HSSAP initiatives are encouraged to apply.
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Advance Child Tax Credit Payments for Families with Children in 2021
Families eligible for the 2021 child tax credits, but who do not need to file taxes, have a new way of enrolling in the federal stimulus program.
The IRS has launched an online portal to sign up for the credits. The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments beginning July 15. Families will claim the other half when they file their 2021 income tax return. These changes apply to tax year 2021 only.
Get more info to share with families at the IRS website.
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Physical Punishment and Child Outcomes
A recent study shows 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 Nurse Family Partnership, Early Head Start, 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.
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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!
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Summer Camp Guidance
Youth camps can play an important role in the lives of children, including supporting their social, emotional, and physical development. Camps provide opportunities for children to try new activities, develop relationships, develop social and emotional skills, and be physically active. In addition to allowing for free play and unstructured learning, many camps also incorporate educational content. What should families look for in a summer camp setting to ensure their children are safe and healthy?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has guidance on what you can expect with a child in a summer camp setting. Get more information.
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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 be 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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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. |
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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:
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Our Top Pins for Kindergartners!
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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
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