December 2023

Fun activities, aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, 

to help prepare children for school success!

Babies

Attach plastic decals to the side windows of the vehicle, so when the light comes through the windows, your baby can see the different shapes and colors. Talk to your baby and share the colors, naming the ones they might see. Read more!

Toddlers

Take a travel break. In a park, rest stop, or even the less populated corner of a parking lot, get out of the car and encourage your toddler to move. Have them pretend they're a little bird and flap their fingers, then a bigger bird (flap their hands), and then an even bigger bird (flap their arms). Read more!

Preschoolers

Before your trip, help your preschooler cut out pictures from a magazine of things they might see while in the car, such as a stop sign, a bicycle, a bus, etc. and store in an envelope or plastic zip-top bag. Allow your preschooler to help pack a bag to take on the trip. Include special items to help them feel at home, as well as some surprises. Read more!

Kindergartners

Give your kindergartner a puppet while traveling. Have the puppet sing the alphabet and count to ten. Ask the puppet to name as many colors as it can. 

Using a book, have the puppet read the story. (See the book list below for some great suggestions!) The puppet can sing children's songs or say nursery rhymes as well. Use different voices to increase your kindergartner's interest in the activity. 

Use the puppet to teach your kindergartner a new skill, or increase their communication by teaching them a new sign. Read more!

10 Books About Riding in the Car or on the Bus

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky

The School Bus Driver from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

Wee Sing in the Car by Wee Sing

Riding In My Car by Woody Guthrie

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willem

Follow That Bus! by Pat Hutchins

Rattletrap Ca  by Phyllis Root

My Car by Byron Barton

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Car Trip by Stan and Jan Berenstain

 Print this list!

Top 5 Gifts to Give to a Child This Holiday Season

Need a gift this holiday season for the child in your life?  Learning is Everywhere has the perfect gift list!  

Click here to print the list in English or Spanish.

Submit a Coloring Entry to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Coloring Contest

The Pennsylvania Farm Show Coloring Contest is now accepting entries! Grab your crayons, colored pencils, and markers and get busy coloring. The coloring page contest is open to participants, 4 years to senior citizen. Register by completing the General Entry Form and including it with your colored official 2023 Color Page. 

There some pretty pictures to enjoy coloring. Check out the 2024 Coloring Page and submit your entry by the December 15, 2023, deadline. See the rules and how to submit your entry.

What You Should Know about RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

You’ve probably heard cases of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are rapidly increasing in Pennsylvania and nationwide. In fact, levels of RSV are higher than usual for this time of year so families need to know about RSV because some children can get very sick and need hospitalization. 

RSV is a virus which usually causes common cold symptoms in most children and adults. Both children and adults can get it and there’s no vaccination available for RSV. While it usually causes mild illness, it is important to know that younger children are at much higher risk for serious complications requiring urgent treatment and in some cases hospitalization. 

Factors increasing children’s risk for severe RSV infections include:

• 3 months of age or younger (due to difficulty clearing mucus from smaller airways)
• Being around other children in a school, child care setting, or at home
• Living in crowded housing situations
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Children with a history of weakened immune systems, preterm birth, or heart or lung problems

Learn about the signs and symptoms of RSV and where to find additional resources.

Discipline Without Spanking

Spanking a child may increase aggression in a child, and may actually do long term harm to a child, says a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The use of spanking is also ineffective in teaching a child responsibility and self-control. Evidence shows it may actually cause harm by impacting a child's normal brain development.

Research has shown that striking a child, yelling at or shaming them can increase stress hormones and lead to changes to a child's brain. Harsh verbal abuse is also linked to mental health problems as children get older.

There are other methods that teach children right from wrong and are safer and more effective. Depending on the age and development of a child, other methods may include redirecting their attention, distraction, changing the subject, positive reinforcement, time out and natural consequences. Visit the PA Promise for Children website and watch the short video below for resources related to parenting and discipline.

Contact your Early Learning Resource Center for more information about programs to support families in your community.

Winter Safety Tips for Kids

Whether winter brings severe storms, light dustings or just cold temperatures, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm. 

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up to get next month's enews to your email!

We are where you are.

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 

Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

The Pennsylvania Key | Pennsylvania's Promise for Children

Early Intervention Technical Assistance