Kindergarten Here I Come! September 2023

Did you know that when preschoolers play, they learn? It's true! Use these activities to encourage your preschooler to play. Click here to print a copy of Kindergarten Here I Come.

We're learning Language and Literacy Skills

Do it!

Have your preschooler to read a book to you by using the pictures to tell the story. There are several wordless picture books your preschooler can use to make their own story. You can also use a book they have listened to several times so they can recall the story from memory. You can start a story and they can select what happens next with words, sign or picture cues.

Read it!

It is Night by Phyllis Rowand. The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom.

We're learning Social Studies Thinking

Do it!

Play shape-and-color-hunt with your preschooler. Ask them to find something shaped like a circle or find something that is blue. Do the same thing with other shapes and colors. Always show your preschooler what you're asking for or give them examples, such as, "This block is green, take this block with you and look for other things in the house that are the same color." Use this as an opportunity to reinforce the vocabulary with words, picture cards, or braille.

Read it!

Actual Size by Steve Jenkins. Say Please, Little Bear by Peter Bentley.

We're learning Science Thinking and Technology

Do it!

Look at fruits, vegetables, cans and boxes in a book, grocery store, or farmer's market. Talk about the different shapes, colors and sizes. Use words like same and different. Continue reinforcing this concept with word cards, sign and braille.

Read it!

Mrs. McNosh and the Giant Squash by Sarah Weeks. Put it on the List by Kristen Darbyshire.

We're learning Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Do it!

Make a height chart with paper. Place the paper against the wall or door and ask your preschooler to stand with their back against the chart. Mark their height and date it. Try this again in three months and talk about the change. Your preschooler could also lay on the paper or use measurements to draw the line on the paper. Ask them to stretch out their arms and measure their arm span. Use the information about their height compare it with other object in the house. For example, "You are taller than the sink" or "You can reach the shelf now and you couldn't before." Use that information to talk about the circumference of objects. For example, "Do you think your arms could fit around that tree?"

Read it!

One Mole Digging a Hole by Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt. 365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental and Joëlle Jolivet.

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.

Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide: This guide will help you become better prepared by learning about different kinds of emergencies, how to create emergency plans and kits for your home, your vehicle and your workplace, and how to plan ahead if you have a special need.
Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids: Guidelines to help your family determine who would be your out-of-state point of contact, and where you would meet away from your home.
Helping Children Cope: Tips to help children recognize their reactions during and after emergencies, and also help children cope with their emotions.
Ready Kids: Ready Kids has tools and information to help before, during and after disasters. Play games, learn about disasters, and get tips to prepare before a disaster strikes.

Four Tips to Help Find a Quality Child Care or Preschool Program

You want your preschooler in a quality child care or preschool program, but may not know what to look for in your search. It can be hard to know what will help your preschooler be safe, happy and learning.

Start with these four tips to help look for a quality child care or preschool program!

Safety and security for your preschooler. When you trust your child to someone else, you want to be sure your child is in a safe place and your child feels safe. Children are learning all the time, but if they feel unsafe or don't feel well, it's harder for them to learn.
Good teachers and specialists that support you and your preschooler. Your child's teacher shapes their whole day, and affects who your child will become. The quality of the teacher is one of the most important pieces of a child care or preschool program.
An atmosphere that is kid-friendly with learning areas & activities that are right for your preschooler's age and development. Young children learn by exploring & using many skills at once. Classrooms need to be designed to fit activities that work best for children.
Reach for the STARS! Keystone STARS can help you pick programs that have quality staff & activities that are the right fit for your family. Child care, PA Pre-K Counts, and Head Start programs that participate in Keystone STARS meet quality as part of the STARS standards. They receive a STAR 1 to STAR 4 rating based on these quality standards.

Get more information about choosing a quality child care or preschool program at PA's Promise for Children. When looking for a program, visit COMPASS Find Child Care or contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). Find your ELRC at www.raiseyourstar.org.

The Power of Data

Families have the right to know what data their child’s program is collecting and how it’s being used. The U.S Department of Education-funded Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy) has resources to help families understand why data are important. Check out the Data Resources for Families page.

The Importance of Breakfast for Kids

The recent 2023-24 Pennsylvania state budget provides universal free breakfast to nearly 1.7 million Pennsylvania public school students across the Commonwealth, but why is breakfast so important for kids?

Breakfast is an important step to refuel the body. Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired, restless, or irritable, making it harder for them to learn! Breakfast eaters get better grades and score higher on standardized tests. And kids who participate in school lunch programs have fewer absences from school.

Kids who eat breakfast also tend to eat healthier overall and are more likely to be physically active — two great ways to help maintain a healthy weight.

This article from KidsHealth has some great breakfast tips to help fuel your kid's body and mind and get them set on the path of learning.

Free Mobile App - Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know

It's easier than ever to get health information. But sometimes, it’s difficult to weed out the good information, which is scientifically accurate, from the bad information, which is not based on science. This is especially true for vaccines.

In a continued effort to provide the public with information about the science, safety and importance of vaccines, the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (VEC) recently updated its popular, award-winning mobile app, called Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know, so anyone can access vaccine information wherever and whenever they need it.

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 preschooler 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 preschooler'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.

Get tips to help your family tame the monster in your home and take control of your family's TV or tablet habits .

Traveling Safely with Your Preschooler

These one page graphics from the Centers of Disease Control demonstrates how to avoid the most common mistakes while using a car seat for your preschooler.