August 2018
Fun activities, aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, to help prepare children for school success!
We're in an early learning program
Babies
Use a song to describe every day activities. The tune of "London Bridges Falling Down" is an easy one to use--just insert the description of what is being done. "Now we're putting on your socks, on your socks, on your socks. Now we're putting on your socks, my dear baby." Sing and sign the song to your baby, while holding her hand to your throat so she can feel the vibration. If your child avoids music, make picture cards or signs and braille to make task cards. Picture cards posted in the area where the tasks are done. If she responds to movement, add fun gestures that make the activity more enjoyable.  Read more.

Toddlers
Use a wading pool (or the bath tub) and different sized cups to encourage your toddler to pour water from one place to the next. Help him select the big cup or the little cup, and talk about full and empty. Ask him to make predictions about what will happen when he moves the containers. Will the large cup of water fit in the small cup? How many small cups fill the large cup? Encourage him to move his hands to explore the containers and feel the water moving. Explore what the water sounds like/feels like when it's dumped out of the container.  Read more .

Preschoolers
What is your preschooler's favorite book about Kindergarten? Visit your local library to discover books with different characters who go to Kindergarten or check out the 11 family recommended books about going to school (below). What does he like best about each book? Try to find books that show a child similar to your preschooler in the illustrations. If your preschooler uses a wheelchair or wears glasses, he will enjoy seeing similar characters in the books. If your preschooler is especially concerned about a certain aspect of school, try to find a book or write a social story that directly addresses that concern.  Read more .

Kindergartners
Make giant ice-cubes by using clean yogurt, cottage cheese or sour cream plastic containers filled with water, then set into the freezer. Add a small item to the water filled container, like a small toy or other item. Have your kindergartner decide what item will be added. Is it too big or will it fit? Can she see the item once the ice is frozen? Once it's frozen, remove it from the container and use the ice block as ice puck to kick around in the grass or hard top (such as a sidewalk). How fast will it melt? What happens when it melts? Provide your kindergartner opportunities to touch the containers, feel the water before and after freezing, feel the weight and compare the containers empty, filled with water, and filled with ice.  Read more .
11 Books About
Going to School
The Night Before Preschool  by Natasha Wing
Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!  by Nancy Carlson
First Day Jitters  by Julie Danneberg
Countdown Kindergarten  by Alison McGhee
Do I Have to go to School?  by Pat Thomas
If You Take a Mouse to School  by Laura Numeroff
The Bus for Us  by Suzanne Bloom
The Kissing Hand  by Audrey Penn
My Teacher Sleeps in School  by Leatie Weiss
Dinosaur Roar!  by Henrietta Stickland
My Kindergarten  by Rosemary Wells
 
What Early Learning Resource Centers Can Do for You
As of July 1, Pennsylvania introduced Early Learning Resources Centers or ELRCs. These are a single point-of-contact for families, early learning service providers, and communities to gain information and access services that support high-quality child care and early learning programs.

An ELRC can help you find the best child care for your children. They offer links to or information about services like:
  • Individualized list of child care programs based on a child's specific needs
  • Child Care Works, Pennsylvania’s child care subsidy program
  • Keystone STARS, Pennsylvania’s quality improvement program for child care providers
  • PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start
  • Early Intervention Services
  • Family Centers
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • And other services

To find your ELRC and additional information, visit  www.raiseyourstar.org  and search by your county.
I'm A School Success!
Did you know babies are born ready to learn? They learn through every day activities. Even little actions, like talking or touching your baby, helps them learn. By the time your child is five years old, more than 85% of their brain has formed. That's a lot of learning in a little bit of time! What children learn when they are young helps prepare them for school success as they get older. 

Next month, celebrate September's National School Success Month! PA's Promise for Children will highlight the progress of children's learning, the ways they learn, and those who help them become a school success. 

Families: Share what makes your child successful in school or an early learning program. What has your child has learned or likes to do that makes them a great learner? It can be a big or little success! Send a photo, your child's first name, your county and your child's success to Mary at marhal@pakeys.org . Your child could be featured on the PA's Promise for Children website during September's National School Success Month! 

Early Learning Professionals: The work you do with children teaches them to be a school success. What's your favorite part of being an early learning professional? Tell us what makes you a successful teacher. Send a photo, your name, your county and early learning program's name, and your story to Mary at marhal@pakeys.org . You and your program could be featured on PA's Promise for Children during National School Success Month!
Parenting Dad Style
How moms and dads support each other early on can impact their parenting later.

A new study finds that how a new mom reacts to her partner's early interactions with their baby may affect his parenting quality later on. Researchers found that dads did not perform as well as a parent to their 9-month-old child if the dads felt their partner was critical of their parenting skills six months earlier.

The researchers said that both moms and dads need to be supportive to each other in those early months after their first baby is born. Both parents often feel vulnerable because they are still developing their identities as parents. The study suggests both parents keep communication open and not be so quick to criticize. 

ZERO TO THREE has a 4-part web series that explores why dads matter and what matters to dads.

Pennsylvania families may also have access to the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood program. Contact your Early Learning Resource Center for more information .
Is Your Baby Hungry or Full?
Even if they can't talk yet, babies have all kinds of ways to tell us when they're hungry and when they've had enough. 

In this video from healthychildren.org , you'll learn all about the practice of responsive feeding and how to understand, recognize, and respond to your baby's hunger or fullness cues. You can practice responsive feeding when breastfeeding, bottle feeding and when providing solid foods.

( If the direct link does not connect to the video, type “responsive feeding” in the Search Box.)
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
We all need shots (also called vaccinations or immunizations) to help protect us from serious diseases. Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. It's important to know which shots you need and when to get them. 

Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year. Many other shots work best when they are given at certain ages. 


Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need.

What to do if you can't afford vaccinations for your child? The  PA Vaccines for Children Program  provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. You can also apply for the  PA Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)  that includes coverage like vaccines. 
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 some one 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.
August 1-7: World Breastfeeding Week!
Having a new baby is an exciting time for a family. By choosing to breastfeed, moms are providing their baby with food that is uniquely made for him and benefits his health and well-being. Breastfeeding is a special gift to a baby that only a mom can provide. 

The WIC Program is available to answer any questions and help with any breastfeeding challenges a mom may face.   Get information   about how the WIC Program can help moms reach their breastfeeding goals with a little loving support!
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Starting Kindergarten in the Fall?
Will your preschooler enter Kindergarten in the fall of 2018?  Sign up for the FREE monthly Kindergarten, Here I Am eNews!  Each month get activities, tips and resources you can use to help your child prepare for and have a successful Kindergarten year. 
The PA 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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