Fun activities, aligned with the PA Early Learning Standards, to help your child have a successful Kindergarten year. 
We Are Learning in November
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 Language and Literacy
Do it!
Pick a letter of the alphabet and help your kindergartner write it on a piece of paper. Make an outline of the letter with glue and let it dry and harden. Have your child trace the letter with their finger first, then have them write the letter using a crayon.
Read it!
A Mountain Alphabet by Margriet Ruurs. ABC Mystery by Doug Cushman.

We are learning Language and Literacy
Do it!
Play Simon Says with your kindergartner using directional words and a ball. Give directions such as, "Simon Says put the ball on your head," or "Simon Says put the ball behind your back." Teach your kindergartner to take turns by allowing them to give you the directions. Manipulate a ball on their body and review the directional words as you do. Continue to incorporate directional vocabulary words throughout your kindergartner's day. For example, the train track is next to the road.
Read it!
Rhinoceroses Tap: 15 Seriously Silly Songs by Sandra Boynton. Flamingos on the Roof by Calef Brown.

We are learning Language and Literacy
Do it!
Talk with your kindergartner about sleeping words. A nap is a short sleep. What other words describe what happens when we sleep? (Like snore, snooze, doze, etc.) Help your kindergartner find pictures of people sleeping in books and family photos. Demonstrate what each sleep word looks like or sounds like. Use the sign and braille word for each. Explain why their body needs to sleep, and that they grow and recuperate while they sleep.
Read it!
The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan. It's Time to Sleep, My Love by Eric Metaxas.

We are learning Mathematics Thinking and Expression
Do it!
Help your kindergartner draw or build a house using only the following shapes: square, rectangle, triangle and circle. Develop fine motor skills by practicing manipulating fabric pattern or wooden blocks to create a house with shapes. There are several apps that allow children to manipulate shapes with their fingertip or even eye movements where mobility is a concern.
Read it!
Shape by Shape by Suse MacDonald. A Circle Here, A Square There by David Diehl.
The Benefits of Family Mealtimes

Starting a simple habit with your young child, like regularly eating meals together, can have a lifelong impact.

A day beginning with breakfast and ending with dinner as a family is more than a benefit of sharing plates of food. It’s an opportunity to bond as a family, teach children table manners, share stories and experiences, and sample and learn about traditions, cultures and foods. But there are even greater benefits of family mealtimes. Read more!
Read Aloud 15 Fall Challenge

Investigate the fall season with Detective Readatron-15! Read Aloud 15 has developed resources that are filled with various ways children can investigate the fall season with Detective Readatron-15. These resources encourage children to explore the world around them while increasing their vocabulary and language skills.  

Find matching games, sensory hunts, and more printable resources using these links:

If you’re looking for new books to share with or explore with children of various ages, check out the book selections webpage that is also available. Please use these resources and share them with others to help promote reading aloud every day!
Opportunities for Families to Make an Impact

Two new exciting opportunities are available for families to share their experiences and make an impact in Pennsylvania's early learning.

Parents as Partners in Professional Development/Pennsylvania Professional Development Organizations
Parents as Partners in Professional Development (P3D), with the Pennsylvania Professional Development Organizations (PDO), are recruiting a cohort of families to participate in P3D/PDO Family Voices. All family members (moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents, etc.) of young children who attend an early childhood program in Pennsylvania are invited to apply. P3D/PDO Family Voices seeks a diverse group of families who have experiences with many aspects of early childhood services in Pennsylvania, like child care, PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start, Early Intervention, Home Visiting, etc. 

An honorarium and travel reimbursement are provided to participants. Applications are due November 18 and all applicants must agree to attending the full day virtual training on December 6, 2022. Learn more and access the P3D/PDO application.

Collaborative Action for Family Engagement
Families are invited to serve on the Collaborative Action for Family Engagement (CAFE). CAFE is currently recruiting family leaders for the Interstate Family Engagement Leadership Collaborative. This NEW initiative at CAFE ensures that family leaders will help shape the direction of the advisory councils in each state. As a critical partner in the field, families are invited to serve in a leadership capacity on CAFE’s Advisory Board to share their expertise to implement high-impact school, family, and community engagement strategies in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Over the past two years, CAFE has facilitated a State Advisory Council composed of up to 40 members including early childhood, middle, and high school students, school-, local-, and state-level organizations. Families/family members make up at least 51% of its members. Family Leaders will commit to an estimated two hours a month for meetings, and compensation/reimbursement is provided for a stipend and mileage. Learn more and access the CAFE application.

Little Neighbors Building a Better World Together

The PSEG Foundation and Sesame Workshop have partnered to create bilingual (English and Spanish), multiple media programs that help families prepare for, and respond to, emergencies and provide tools so children can build the skills they need to become resilient.

With Let’s Get Ready, families learn to plan and prepare together for emergencies through simple strategies and tips that can be incorporated into everyday routines.

Here for Each Other provides tips, ideas, and activities that teach families effective and comforting ways to respond when an emergency occurs.

Brave, Strong Resilient helps children build the self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and emotional tools they need to cope with adversity.

The latest joint effort, Little Neighbors: Building a Better World Together, helps children learn the many ways to be a good neighbor and what it means to be a member of a community.
Get Help with Winter Heating Costs

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a federally-funded program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) that provides assistance for home heating bills so those Pennsylvanians meeting eligibility and income guidelines can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for renters and homeowners. 

The LIHEAP application period for both cash and crisis grants opened on November 1, 2022, and will remain open until April 28, 2023. 

Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP and other public assistance programs online at www.compass.state.pa.us or by phone at 1-866-550-4355. On-site County Assistance Office (CAO) services are available if clients cannot access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling the Customer Service Centers at 215-560-7226 for Philadelphia clients or 1-877-395-8930 for clients in all other counties. 
Forming Friendships

For Kindergarten students, fall is full of transitions--new schedules, new schools, new teachers, new classmates. These all create the opportunity to form new friendships.

For some children, these friendships will develop naturally over time. But some children may need some support and assistance in finding friends.
IECMHC Virtual Office Hours:
Help for Families, Child Care Professionals

Are you looking for support with helping a child who is struggling with behavior, attachment, peer relationships or emotion regulation? Need help for teachers or families with self-care, stress, and coping, but not sure what to do next? The Pennsylvania Key Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Virtual Office Hours are here to help.

IECMH Consultants are available by appointment to provide telephone or video conference consultation. IECMHC Virtual Office Hours is a short-term, collaborative, problem-solving conversation to help you find next steps for:
  • Child Social-Emotional Concerns
  • Child Behavioral or Developmental Concerns
  • Emotional Well-being of Teachers and Caregivers
  • Partnering with Families

Services are available at no cost to Pennsylvania families, child care professionals and specialists supporting Keystone STARS child care programs. IECMH Consultation helps adults strengthen their relationships with young children and build capacity to respond to children’s social-emotional needs. IECMHC can help reduce caregiver stress, as well as increase caregivers’ reflective practice skills. Learn how IECMHC Virtual Office Hours can help.
Savings Programs For Families With Young Children

Pennsylvania has two resources available to families with young children who want to save for future expenses. 

Keystone Scholars is an investment in every Pennsylvania baby’s bright future, including yours. Keystone Scholars provides $100 for every baby born to a PA family on or after January 1, 2019 to be used for your child’s future post-secondary education expenses.

The Pennsylvania ABLE Savings Program (PA ABLE) is an extraordinary, new, low-cost saving vehicle that gives people with disabilities and their families a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts.
Traveling with Kindergartners

Traveling with a kindergartner can be challenging, especially if you're unprepared. Try these tips to keep your kindergartner occupied and save your sanity this upcoming holiday season!

  1. Plan ahead. If your trip is delayed due to weather, traffic or cancellations, be prepared with enough drinks and snacks.
  2. Start singing! Singing with your kindergartner will help pass the miles. Your library has music to borrow to help keep your kindergartner entertained.
  3. Pack smart. Add a small pad of paper and crayons or colored pencils to a purse or backpack for drawing pictures, creating origami (fold into the shape of a square!), or playing a game (like tic-tac-toe).
  4. Be selective. Set aside specific toys and books for use only while traveling.
  5. Keep it real. Have reasonable expectations of yourself and your kindergartner. Take breaks when needed.
  6. Stay well hydrated and well fed. Travel can be dehydrating, and empty tummies are grumpy tummies, so take travel-friendly snacks like dry cereal and fruit. Pack water or juice boxes.
  7. Fly friendly. Traveling by plane? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has information for traveling with children.
6 Tips to Help Your Kindergartner Learn to Read

Important literacy skills begin developing at birth and continue as a child gets older.
Safe Vehicle Traveling with Kindergartners 

Did you know your kindergartner should be using a booster seat when riding in a vehicle?

At the www.pakidstravelsafe.org website, sponsored by the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, find all types of safety information to keep your kindergartner safe, including car seat loan programs, car or booster seat fitting station locations, and access to a child car seat technician to ensure the correct installation of a car or booster seat in a vehicle.
Helping Your Family Prepare for Emergencies with Ready Wrigley

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created Ready Wrigley to provide parents, guardians, teachers, and young children with tips, activities, and a story to help the whole family prepare for emergencies. Together with your child, join Wrigley as she helps her family prepare for emergencies by staying informed, packing emergency kits, and making a family communication plan.

The activity book is designed to provide an interactive tool to further your child's education and promote disaster preparedness and safe clean-up in your community. You can share this book with your schools and early learning programs, communities, and families to help children learn the importance of being prepared. It is available in English and Spanish.
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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