Fun activities, aligned with the PA Early Learning Standards, to help your child have a successful Kindergarten year. 
We Are Learning in March
Now that your child is in kindergarten, there are new ways you can help them learn. Try these activities, then visit your library to check out a book about it. Click here to print this list.

We are learning Social Emotional Development
Do it!
Help your kindergartner to roleplay a job. Set up a space for a pretend post office, grocery store, or restaurant. Encourage them to use items and toys around the house.
Read it!
Curious George Takes a Job by H. A. Rey. The Biggest Job of All by Harriet Ziefert.

We are learning Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Do it!
Ask your kindergartner to search for sets of things found in your home or outside. Find one rock, two forks, three balls, etc. Matching photographs of different items helps develop visual recognition. Incorporate sensory development by encouraging your child to trace numbers or letters with their fingers.
Read it!
One Mole Digging A Hole by Julia Donaldson. 1, 2, 3 Peas by Keith Baker.

We are learning Language and Literacy
Do it!
Help your kindergartner learn the days of the week. Add words to each name that starts with the same letter, like Munching Monday, Terrific Tuesday, etc. Teach them the months of the year, and do the same, like Jumping January, Fantastic February, etc.

Another fun way to learn is through song. The days of the week can be sung to the tunes of  The Addams Family or Oh, my darling, Clementine! Help your kindergartner learn the months of the year by creating a calendar that include special dates such as holidays and birthdays. Encourage them to draw or color pictures or find pictures online to show what special things happen each month.
Read it!
Today is Monday by Eric Carle. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

We are learning Scientific Thinking
Do it!
See how many things your kindergartner can balance at once. Have a balancing race--who can go the fastest balancing a paper cup on top of a paper plate, then add other items and keep going! If your kindergartner has difficulty with this, use paper cups to make a tower stack. Use a timer and encourage them to count the number of items in the stack.
Read it!
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss. I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and other stories by Dr. Seuss.
Language Development and Young Children
 
A delay in language development can impact the way a child learns, not only while young, but as they get older.
 
Every family—regardless of income, education level or their spoken language—can help their child develop the language needed to learn and be successful in school. There are many ways parents, families and caregivers can help children develop language skills and set them on a path to learning. Read more and access resources to support your child's language development.
The Reader Experience: Tell Your Story

When we hear each other’s stories, our understanding of each other grows!

That power is modeled in books that feature diverse characters and diverse experiences. To expand that power, share your unique reading experiences and learn more about how stories can impact our lives.

In celebrating our diverse nation of readers for Read Across America, the National Education Association (NEA) is asking educators, families, and others to share their own stories about books and reading experiences by reflecting on one of these prompts:
  • a book that impacted you or your child
  • a book or story that is important to you or your child
  • a person or a story that got you into reading
  • someone who changed your life by sharing a book or story
  • a person who introduced you to the joys of books and reading
  • a time when you heard or read a story that changed you or helped you make a change
  • how you or your child has been shaped by books and reading
  • your favorite or an important reading experience

NEA will select stories to feature on NEA’s website, on social media channels, in print or email publications, and at special events. Learn more.
Sparking Children's Imagination and Creativity

Imagination and creativity can create new worlds, make play a deeper learning experience, and bring life to activities and ideas. Use these tips to help your kindergartner develop imagination and creativity.
MyPlate Food Quizzes

Eating healthy foods is part of helping your child grow. How knowledgeable are you about fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has five short online quizzes to test how much you know. Click here to take one or all of the quizzes!


Financial Help with Your Child's Medical Expenses

The United Healthcare Children's Foundation can help provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
Qualifying families may receive up to $5,000 per child, per year ($10,000 lifetime max). The funds help pay for medical treatment, services or equipment such as surgeries, counseling, prescription medications, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses, hearing aids and physical, occupational and speech therapies. Click here to learn more.
Keeping Your Kindergartner Healthy

Did you know there are vaccine-preventable diseases to protect your kindergartner? You may have almost forgotten about diseases like Diphtheria, Chickenpox, Mumps, Whooping Cough (Pertussis) and others because of vaccines. It's still important for your kindergartner to have vaccines though! While these diseases are preventable, they can still exist and infect those who are not vaccinated. Vaccines can help keep your kindergartner healthy, and vaccines may be required for your child to attend school or an early learning program. Find out which vaccines your child should receive and when.

For children without insurance, PA CHIP may be able to help. CHIP is short for the Children's Health Insurance Program – Pennsylvania's program to provide health insurance to uninsured children 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. Visit www.chipcoverspakids.com .
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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