Fun activities, aligned with the PA Early Learning Standards, to help your child have a successful Kindergarten year. 
We Are Learning in September
There are many ways you can help your Kindergartner 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 and Emotional Development
Do it!
Give your kindergartner various throw away items that are found at home, like paper towel rolls, old mail, lids, etc. Ask them to arrange them into a sculpture or create a masterpiece. The throw away items can also be added to a sensory bin at home to explore, observe and create. Talk about the different textures, shapes, and sizes. Be sensitive to your kindergartner's feelings about textures and encourage them with things that interest them. For example, "Can you use these items to make a train?"
Read it!
Just a Mess by Mercer Mayer. Monster Mess! by Margery Cuyler and S.D. Schindler.

We are Approaches to Learning Through Play
Do it!
Ask your kindergartner to help you plan for a family meal. Encourage them to help cook and set items on the table, then clean up. Becoming involved in the cooking process might make them more willing to try new foods. For example, if you make a casserole and they help add the ingredients, they might be more willing to try it when it is mixed together. Involvement can be as simple as making a list for shopping, dumping pre-measured ingredients, or mixing something with a spoon.
Read it!
The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Herman the Helper by Robert Kraus, Jose Areugo, and Ariane Dewey.

We are learning Scientific Thinking and Technology
Do it!
Play "Who's my baby?" Name an animal and ask your kindergartner to tell you the names of the baby. For example, dog-puppy, cat-kitten. Then ask them to name the animal and you name the baby. Show them pictures of the various animals and their babies with picture cards, word cards, sign or braille. If possible, make the noise of each animal with your kindergartner or listen to it using technology. Some books even offer opportunities to feel the textures of the animals skin and fur.
Read it!
Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Susan Meyers and David Walker. The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems.

We are learning Social Studies Thinking
Do it!
Ask your kindergartner to tell you about a time when they were feeling angry, mad or upset. What did they do to feel better? If they are unable to give a solution for their situation, offer some suggestions. You can create a simple social story with your kindergartner using words or pictures for them to refer back to if they are in that situation again. Use words to help them identify feelings--they might not be able to identify the emotion of angry or sad. Explain how you have felt when you have been upset, how your body reacted and ways you were able to calm yourself down. Explain that emotions are all okay to feel and express, but there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to do so.
Read it!
Polly's Running Away Book by Frances Thomas and Sally Gardner. How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick and Majorie Lisovskis.
Featured Article: The Importance of Parent's Mental Health

Families and others who care for children often experience significant stress, whether it’s the normal stress of being responsible for many things at once (job, family, multiple children, household chores, etc.), seasonal stress (holidays, winter blues), or significant stress due to family crises, military deployment, financial problems, etc. 

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, families are faced with unusual challenges. We may be caring for a child full-time, without assistance or support from child care, family members or friends. We may be juggling caring for our child while working full-time. We may feel as if we don’t have one minute to ourselves, may feel overwhelmed, tired, or frustrated. All of these feelings are very normal!

While we know some stress is a normal part of being human and is even healthy, we also know when parents and caregivers experience a lot of stress, it has a negative impact on the children in their care. Parental and caregiver stress levels can cause immediate behavior problems as well as longer-term mental health issues, so taking care of ourselves and managing stress is very important.


What was popular this time last year?
Economic Impact Payment

Even if you were not required to file a tax return, you may still qualify for the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. Oct. 15, 2020 is the deadline to apply.

Many U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens are eligible to receive an Economic Impact Payment. The payments are up to $1,200 per individual and some people may be eligible for up to an additional $500 per qualifying child. You don’t need income to be eligible.

Visit the IRS website for more information.
Resources for Children Wearing Face Masks

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recognizes helping young children to be comfortable wearing face masks and to keep face masks on may be challenging. It is important to help children feel more secure wearing a face mask when around other children and adults.

To help support families, and the Early Intervention and early childhood education community, available is a list of resources to help support and teach young children about wearing a face mask.
Resources for Care and Education of School-Age Children due to COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, families are having to make difficult decisions about the care and education of their children. OCDEL has released a guide to highlight some available options and requirements that might apply for Pennsylvania families. 
Is Your Family Ready for an Emergency?

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. Use this month to help your family prepare for an emergency like floods, fires, winter storms and more. 

Check out these resources to help your family prepare for emergencies. 
Tips to Partner with Your Kindergartner's Teacher
As your child's first teacher, you know a lot about your kindergartner. What's the best way to communicate that to your child's Kindergarten teacher?

These tips can help you communicate with your child's teacher to help your kindergartner learn.

  1. Paperwork! Fill out all paperwork from the school. Provide correct contact information. If information changes during the school year, let the school know in writing.
  2. Make an appearance. Back to school night and meet-and-greet events are great times to introduce yourself to the teacher and school staff.
  3. Volunteer. Offer to help with your child's class or the school. Some help can be done at home, for only a short amount of time, or a few times per year. Every little bit helps. Your child will be proud to have your help at his school.
  4. Share important information. Has your child recently experienced the loss of a loved one? Have her parents divorced? Did she get a new baby brother? Share this with your child's teacher or school staff.

Get ways you can help partner with your kindergartner's teacher in Be Your Child's Champion (available in English and Spanish). Be Your Child's Champion walks you through the four parts of having a conversation about your child. Download and print it for free!
Traveling Safely with Your Kindergartner 

These one page graphics from the Centers of Disease Control demonstrate how to avoid the most common mistakes while using a forward-facing car seat or booster seat for your kindergartner.
The Monster in Your Home

There may be a monster in your home and it's right in front of your eyes! It's your television or tablet!
Spending time watching TV or using a tablet means your kindergartner may not be engaged in creative or learning activities, like reading, playing or just being a kid.
Many homes have one or more TVs or tablets. Too often, a kindergartner 's free time may center around what's playing on TV or on the tablet. Watching excessive, or inappropriate shows or games can lead to:
  • violent and aggressive behavior, 
  • obesity, 
  • poor body concept and self-image, and later, 
  • substance abuse and early sexual activity. 
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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