With your child in kindergarten, there are new ways you can help them learn. Try these activities, then read a book about it. Click here to print this list.
We are learning Language and Literacy
Do it!
Help your kindergartner collect pebbles. See how many ways the pebbles can be sorted (size, color, shape, etc.) Discuss how some are alike and some are different. Assist your kindergartner in reaching grasping and collecting the stones. Provide the opportunity to feel the rocks with their hands or on their cheek. Use words to help them describe the textures, weight, shape and temperature of what they are feeling.
Read it!
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. Three Pebbles and a Song by Eileen Spinelli.
We are learning Social Emotional Development
Do it!
Talk about jobs your family does. How do these jobs help others? Talk about the different people, services and agencies who work with your kindergartner. Explain their jobs to them. Discuss the ways this helps them and the family.
Read it!
A Day's Work by Eve Bunting. Families by Susan Kuklin.
We are learning Scientific Thinking and Technology
Do it!
Look out a window with your kindergartner or sit outside and watch the birds. When finished, encourage them to draw a picture of a bird they saw.
Read it!
What in the World is an Inch? by Mary Elizabeth Salzmann. What Will Hatch? by Jennifer Ward.
We are learning Mathematics Thinking and Expression
Do it!
Eat a snack of animal crackers. Have your kindergartner sort the crackers into groups by animal and count the number in each group. Substitute other foods if there are dietary or feeding restrictions. You can also adapt the activity using stuffed animals.
Read it!
Kindergarten Count to 100 by Jacqueline Rogers. How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jane Yolen.
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2023 Pennsylvania One Book
Mel Fell by author Corey R. Tabor is the 2023 PA One Book Early Literacy selection! Mel Fell is a triumphant tale of a young bird learning to fly, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence and encouraging children to feel brave.
Libraries and early learning programs throughout Pennsylvania have received copies to share with young children. Visit your local library to access a copy and check out the PA One Book website for early learning activities, crafts and resources around the book.
The Pennsylvania One Book program is entering its eighteenth year promoting the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers and the significance of reading early and often to children, as well as engaging them in conversation and other activities around books. The program has remained successful in part due to the partnership of collaborating agencies that all support early childhood literacy efforts. Each year, a different children’s picture book, is chosen by the committee to be highlighted.
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Celebrate Month of the Young Child
During April, let’s celebrate Month of the Young Child (MOYC)! Month of the Young Child focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
How can you become involved in MOYC?
- Look for ways to celebrate in your home, early learning program, or community.
- Create a display that shares why quality early learning is so important.
- Read stories of families who have been impacted by quality early learning.
- Share your story about the impact of quality early learning.
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Fun Nature-Based Learning Activities
Aligning with the 2023 Pennsylvania One Book selection, Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor, Lindsey Brown, owner of Brown’s Family Child Care in Venango County, shared several nature-based activities.
The activities are perfect for early learning programs, or to do in the home, and are part of a homemade nature-based curriculum approved through Department of Education and aligns with the PA Early Learning Standards.
Do you have a fun early learning activity you'd like to share? Send it to Mary at marhal@pakeys.org. |
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Call for DEC Family Committee Members
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Family Committee is recruiting professional and family members. Family members are invited to take this opportunity to become an engaged and active leader within DEC. Members representative of the diversity of DEC’s membership, including race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability, are encouraged to apply.
The DEC Family Committee functions as a necessary and significant arm of the DEC Executive Office, formed to highlight and promote family engagement within the organization, field, and practice.
Parents of Children with Disabilities and/or Delays (through age 8) Currently Receiving Early Childhood Services; Parents Whose Children with Disabilities are No Longer Receiving Early Childhood Services; and Individuals with any type of lived experience with Early Intervention and/or Early Childhood Special Education are invited to apply to serve on the committee.
The Committee meets monthly on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5:00 - 6:30 PM Eastern Time. Membership to the Family Committee offers the opportunity to bring your experiences and expertise to DEC and network with DEC members across the country who are dedicated to the role of families at all levels of participation. Apply by Friday, April 7, 2023, for consideration. Learn more. |
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What is Equity and Why is it Important for Children?
Equity means an effort or strategy to ensure all who need services have access to and an understanding about opportunities. It may include treating everyone with an equal amount of respect and care, regardless of:
- social-economic status
- race
- class
- culture
- gender
- sexual orientation
- ability/disability
- language
- national origin
- indigenous heritage
- religion
- other identities
Equity recognizes that not everyone comes from the same starting place. Regardless of the identity or financial background of someone, there may be a need for assistance in different and unique ways.
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Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children
Project Learning Tree® has a resource for families and teachers to connect children to age six to nature, with a focus on trees. Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children offers hundreds of ideas for fun, indoor and outdoor, learning experiences for children to explore nature through their senses, experience trees throughout the seasons, and connect with their community. Take a look!
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The Role a Sibling Plays in Developing Empathy
There are benefits to having a sibling! Having a brother or sister can impact how confident a child is, how well they do in school, how they interact with friends, can boost a younger siblings language development and their understanding of others point of view. It can even play a role in the development of empathy.
Empathy is the key to understanding another's perspective and valuing people. Children who kind, supportive and understanding, influence their siblings to act and behave in similar ways. These empathetic traits develop into life-long behaviors towards friends, spouses and parents.
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Helping Parents Be Parents
Parenting can be challenging. There's no such thing as a perfect parent, and there are a lot of different ways to be a good one.
The Early Learning GPS has tips, tools, and resources to help when families encounter challenging behavior with their child. Parenting is challenging, and the challenge comes with little direction at times. Just as there are no perfect children, there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) believes every parent needs and deserves two things: Information, and support! Visit the PFSA website for resources and support. |
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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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