Kindergarten Here I Come! August 2023

Did you know when preschoolers play, they learn? It's true! Use these activities to encourage your preschooler to play.

Print the August Books for Preschoolers!

We're learning Language and Literacy Skills

Do it!

Help your preschooler practice writing their name on paper. Show them how to start with a big letter (capital letter) and use lower case (small letters) for the rest. Provide a variety of paper sizes and textures. Write with chalk on dark paper. Use your driveway or sidewalk. Encourage your preschooler to choose their own writing instrument (crayon, chalk, pencil, pen or marker). Put some sand on a cookie sheet and write letters using fingers, a stick, or a paintbrush.

Read it!

Click, Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. Dear Panda by Miriam Latimer.

We're learning Social Studies Thinking

Do it!

Talk about things your preschooler likes to do now. Then ask what they might like to do in the future, like next week, next year, when they grow up. Look through magazines with your preschooler and have them identify pictures of things they would like to do. Then help them to cut out those pictures and paste the pictures onto pages labeled now, next week, next year, and grown up.

Read it!

Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins. Mr. Gumpy's Motor Car by John Burningham.

We're learning Science Thinking and Technology

Do it!

Make ramps by propping cardboard on objects of different heights. Roll balls and small cars down the ramps. Talk about which one goes faster and which one goes slower. Use your own or a town park sliding board for this as well. Take various sized balls and vehicles to roll and push.

Read it!

Oscar and the Cricket by Geoff Waring. And Everyone Shouted, "Pull!" by Claire Llewellyn.

We're learning Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Do it!

Introduce your preschooler to a variety of measurement tools, such as a timer, a ruler, measuring cups, and thermometer. Talk about what each one measures or is used for. Help them practice using the the tools. Try indoor and outdoor, using sand, water, dirt, and measuring while working with real tools for projects.

Read it!

Lengthy. The Long Long Dog by Syd Hoff. Big Dog...Little Dog by P. D. Eastman.

The Final Three Weeks of the

Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip

During August, we wrap up the virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip by exploring libraries and state parks! Join us for weeks 10-12 as we have fun with activities, read books, and learn about Pennsylvania's outdoors.

The activities can be done in the home, the community, or anywhere that fit's your family's needs. Visit your local library to explore new books with your child, then visit a park or outside area to learn about the outdoors.

Week 10: We're at the North Trails Public Library and the Jennings Environmental Education Center
Week 11: We're at the Linesville Community Public Library and the Pymatuning State Park
Week 12: We're at the Saxton Community Library and the Trough Creek State Park

Download the resources like the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip Travel Journal, Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip Book Bingo, or Bird Behavior Tic-Tac-Toe and learn and have fun!

There's Still Time to Apply for the Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Competence and Confidence Partners in Policymaking Early Intervention (C2P2 EI) Cohort

August 11, 2023 is the deadline to apply for the Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking Early Intervention (C2P2 EI). This is an exciting opportunity for families of children who are currently receiving Early Intervention Infant/Toddler and/or Preschool services.

C2P2 EI is a free leadership development program and is offered over a series of eight sessions (four two-day in person sessions and four virtual sessions). Applicants must commit to participating in all eight sessions.

Applications will be accepted through August 11, 2023. The program will begin at the end of September and run through May 2024.

Expenses, including lodging costs, mileage and child care reimbursement will be provided to participants. Learn more and how you can apply.

Teaching Preschoolers to Understand and Value Diversity

How can we teach preschoolers to understand and genuinely value people who look, sound and act different?

To help people who work with young children and their families in early learning centers, the National Center for Cultural Competence developed a self-assessment checklist that gives specific examples of things you can do to create an environment where diversity is valued, modeled and taught. Read more.

6 Ways to Help Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten

Looking for ways to help your child get ready for Kindergarten?

Get these tips from the Kindergarten, Here I Come Activity Guide.

Print this one page tip sheet in Englis h or en espanol .

A Strong Start to School Success

Quality pre-kindergarten can give your child a strong start in school and in life. Find a preschool program that fits the needs of your child. Two programs to consider are Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and Head Start.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides free half-day or full-day pre-kindergarten for at-risk children throughout Pennsylvania.

Each program offering PA Pre-K Counts classrooms will have their own guidelines, but PA Pre-K Counts is designed for children who

are between age 3 and younger than the entry age for kindergarten;
meet income guidelines; and
may also have language (English is not your first language), a disability or developmental delay, or other issues that make them at risk for failing in school.

If your child falls into these categories, you may be eligible to apply.

To find PA Pre-K Counts programs near you, visit the COMPASS Child Care and Other Early Learning Programs Search and search for a program in your area or contact your Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) at www.raiseyourstar.org.

Head Start

Head Start programs are federally-funded programs that serve three and four-year-old children. Programs may be based in centers, schools, or family child care homes — or they may be provided at your own home. Services include education, as well as health, nutrition, social and other services.

Children up to age five from families who meet the Income Guidelines published by the Federal government may be eligible for Head Start services.

To find a Head Start program, contact your Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) at www.raiseyourstar.org.

Looking for a Child Care or Early Learning Program?

There's a free, online resource to help you find a child care or early learning program. Pennsylvania families can visit the COMPASS Child Care and Other Early Learning Programs Search to search for programs in their community. You can also get information about help paying for child care, the different types of early learning programs, and how you can use Keystone STARS to find a quality program for your child.

You can also contact your Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). They can help you find an early learning program, after school program or other resources to support your child's early learning. Go to www.raiseyourstar.org and provide your county to find the ELRC in your community.

Stay Up-to-Date with Your Preschooler's Immunizations

Preschools and early learning programs may require immunizations to attend. Check with your preschooler's early learning program or preschool to find which immunizations are needed.

PA Health Department's Vaccine for Children Program (VFC) provides vaccinations to children who do not have health insurance.

Children who are insured, but insurance does not cover immunizations (underinsured), are eligible to receive federally funded vaccines at public sites. Ask your doctor or clinic if they are a VFC provider. If they are, you may go to them for the shots your child needs. To find a VFC-enrolled provider near you, call 1-877 PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).

If your child is not covered under Medical Assistance or insurance, you can apply for PA CHIP. 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.

A Family Activity that Encourages Healthy Eating

How can your child participate in a valuable learning experience, while having family fun? Where can you get the freshest fruits and vegetables for your family without having to dig or plant? Try a Pick Your Own farm near you!

Children of all ages can help pick fruits and vegetables. Helping also mean they're more likely to try an unfamiliar fruit or vegetable.

Pick Your Own farms allow families to pick and purchase fruits and vegetables that someone else has been planted. There are several locations throughout Pennsylvania where families can pick their own fruits and vegetables. How much you purchase depends on how much you can pick! Learn more .

National Farmers' Market Week

National Farmers’ Market Week is August 6-12! This annual celebration highlights the important role farmers’ markets play in our nation’s food system. How do you plan to celebrate? Plan a visit to a local farmers' market with your child and explore options for a variety of foods.

Find a market near you using USDA’s Local Food Directories: National Farmers’ Market Directory .

Me Moments

Me Moments are practices children (and adults) can do in school and at home. These practices build self-regulation – an important social-emotional skill to identify and manage emotions, that helps prepare you to learn and engage with others. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation have created a virtual hub of Me Moments to use in classrooms, at child care or early learning programs, or in a home.

Playful Activities for Picky Eaters

Did you know that almost half of kids ages 1-5 do not eat a vegetable every day and about one-third of kids do not eat a fruit every day? That’s why the CDC Foundation created a toolkit to help families incorporate healthy options into their daily routine.