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Welcome to Kindergarten, Here I Am
Each month, the Kindergarten, Here I Am newsletter will provide information to help your kindergartner have a successful school year.
Activities: Each activity is linked to the PA Early Learning Standards for Kindergarten. These standards are being used in kindergarten classrooms across Pennsylvania. When you and your kindergartner do activities together, you build their knowledge and experience.
Books: The books each month will help support the activities and may help your kindergartner better understand a particular concept. Print the list of books, then visit your local library to find the books mentioned each month or ask your librarian to help you find a similar book.
Tips and Resources: Each month you can find tips and resources to help your kindergartner build the skills they need for kindergarten. You can share your favorites with your friends and family.
Do you know a friend who would like to get the Kindergarten, Here I Am newsletter? They can sign up!
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Your child may not begin Kindergarten for a few months, but you can help them learn throughout the summer. Try these activities, then visit your library to find a book. Click here to print this list.
We are learning Language and Literacy
Do it!
Play "I Spy." Say, "I spy something with my little eyes that starts with 'h' or ends with an 'n'." If your kindergartner has difficulty, encourage them to find something that is a specific color or shape. Change the game to develop the senses by playing "I hear with my little ears," "I feel with my little hands," "I taste with my little mouth," or "I smell with my little nose."
Read it!
S Is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet by Helen Foster James. Q Is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing Game by Mary Elting
We are learning Partnerships for Learning
Do it!
You can find a book at your local library that shows how to do magic tricks. (Print this month's book list and take it with you!) Have your kindergartner learn a magic trick to perform for their family.
Read it!
Magic Shapes by Patrick George. Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson.
We are learning Social and Emotional Development
Do it!
Make a card and take it to your kindergartner to share with a friend. Ask your kindergartner to describe how the treat or card was made for the friend. Find pictures of what your kindergartner likes doing and help them create a picture book. Pictures can be of their favorite toys or activities.
Read it!
The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau. Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth.
We are learning Health, Wellness, and Physical Development
Do it!
Create a physical activity routine for your kindergartener. Use a calendar to keep track of how many minutes you spend on physical activity each day.
Read it!
Sofa Boy by Scott Langteau. One Two Three PULL! by Sophie Schmid and Sabine Praml.
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What Can You Do with Monthly Book Lists?
Each month, Kindergarten, Here I Am provides a list of books that complement the activities. What can you do with this list?
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Print the list and take it to your local library. Your librarian can help you find the books on the list. Then read the books with your kindergartner. Help your kindergartner circle or cross out the books on the list as you read them.
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Make a short video of your kindergartner reading or giving a book review of one of the books on the list. What was their favorite part of the book? Share the video with family and friends. Tag PA's Promise for Children on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
- Share the list with your friends who have children. You can forward this email to them!
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Visit PA's Promise for Children, where you can share this list via social media, like Facebook or Pinterest.
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If you are a teacher, print this list and give it to your students' families. Or post this list where families can see it, so they'll know which books are being read in your classroom.
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Get ready for a fun adventure full of learning with the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip!
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is taking families on a virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip! This summer, families, teachers, and early childhood partners are invited to join the journey and explore exciting ways to support young children’s love of reading and learning.
You’ll discover incredible facts about Pennsylvania’s rivers, lakes, and amazing wildlife. You’ll also find fun, hands-on activities for you and your child, book suggestions to enjoy together, and helpful tips that align with the PA Early Learning Standards.
Don’t forget to download the Nature Journal in English or Spanish to keep track of your favorite moments. Let’s hit the road and make learning fun—all summer long!
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Apply Now to Serve on The Pennsylvania State Advisory Council
The Pennsylvania State Advisory Council (SAC) is now accepting applications for family and professional leaders interested in serving on one of the Council’s five supporting subcommittees.
Participation on a SAC subcommittee is an opportunity to help shape discussions, provide feedback, and support initiatives that impact Pennsylvania’s early childhood education system, children, and families. The subcommittees serve as focused workgroups that provide specialized expertise, develop recommendations, and support the implementation of initiatives aligned with the Council’s broader goals and priorities.
As outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order, the SAC advises the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on planning for the expansion and coordination of effective early learning and development services for young children and their families across the Commonwealth.
Family members, early childhood professionals, advocates, community partners, and system leaders are encouraged to apply. Complete the application here.
To learn more about the State Advisory Council, visit the State Advisory Council page.
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Scholarship Opportunity for Families
Scholarships are available for FREE registration and lodging to attend the Building Knowledge to Know How Conference!
Don't miss this exciting event focused on autism, sensory disabilities, secondary transition, and students with complex instructional needs. Hurry, as scholarships are limited!
🗓️ Application Deadline: Monday, June 15
📌 Visit https://tinyurl.com/BK2KHFamily to apply
✅ Child Caregiver Reimbursement available
✉️ Questions? Contact: k2khscholarships@pattankop.net
Families with a child receiving Early Intervention or Special Education in PA services are eligible to apply!
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iNaturalist App
Get ready to explore nature by downloading the free iNaturalist app on your smartphone! Be sure to allow the app to use your phone’s GPS so it can automatically record where you find plants and animals in parks.
When you spot something interesting, simply take a photo using the app. Not sure what it is? No problem! Tap “What did you see?” and the app will help identify it for you in seconds.
The app also saves the time, date, and location for each observation, so there’s no extra work needed—everything is automatically recorded and shared with the park.
iNaturalist is available for both Apple and Android devices, making it easy for everyone to join the fun of exploring nature!
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Supporting Your Child's Literacy with the PA One Book Program
Families, child care providers, libraries, and community organizations all play a vital role in nurturing a love of reading in young children. The PA One Book program offers a variety of free, engaging resources to help support early literacy and encourage meaningful reading experiences.
Each year, the program features a carefully selected book for young children and a collection of easy-to-use tools to bring the story to life. Available resources include:
- Printable Activity Guides with fun, age-appropriate learning activities
- NEW! Hosting a PA One Book Reading event in your community
- Printable Bookmarks to encourage children to read
- Printable Stickers to celebrate participation and make reading even more fun
These resources are designed to be used at home, in classrooms, during library storytimes, and at community events. Together, we can inspire a lifelong love of books and learning in Pennsylvania’s youngest readers.
To explore this year’s book and download free materials, visit the PA One Book website.
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Plan Now for July 4 Pennsylvania State Parks Fish-For-Free Day
A Fish-for-Free Day is an excellent way for families to catch the fun of fishing! The July 4, 2026, Fish-for-Free Day allows anyone (Pennsylvania resident or non-resident) to fish on Pennsylvania waterways with no fishing license required. All other fishing regulations still apply.
Don't have the equipment for fishing? Check out the Fishing Tackle Loaner program!
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Tune In! A Book-Based Music Adventure
Imagine making music with your body, inventing simple instruments with recycled materials, playing conductor, building community through call-and-response singing and group dances, creating a music time capsule, drawing to music, designing an album cover, exploring voices and songs of social change, and writing original jingles, parodies, and raps.
Tune In gives kids a chance to learn more about music and music genres, to hear about great performers and composers, and to write lyrics and compose songs. It features music from around the world — from classical to salsa to hip hop.
Tune In combines hands-on activities with great fiction, poetry, and picture book biographies — books such as Charlie Parker Played Be Bop and Celia Cruz: Queen of Salsa — inspiring kids to read about musicians and composers from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Kids will have a chance to record original music and take the stage through a welcoming Open Mic. Kids and adults are also invited to create a collage-style Music Mural together that documents all the explorations, discoveries, and joy of the 5-day camp.
Tune In is designed for educators, summer program leaders, and families — and it's free! Join in to explore, create, read, write, and learn — all about music. Learn more!
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Two-Bite Club
Getting kids to try a variety of foods may feel daunting to some. If you deal with picky eaters, try introducing them to MyPlate's Two-Bite Club, developed by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The resource has a printable book that encourages kids to try new foods and provides fun certificates to celebrate new tasting milestones. Available in English and Spanish.
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Tree Trekkers: A Book-Based STEAM Adventure!
What “wood” we do without trees? Tree Trekkers gives kids a chance to learn all about trees — their role in the ecosystem and in climate change, their characteristics and life cycles, their many benefits to humans and to other species, the stories they tell us about our history, and how trees, forests, and parks have inspired art, music, and literature. Download the free toolkit.
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Pennsylvania's KinConnector
Pennsylvania's KinConnector provides guidance, advice, and support for kinship care families throughout Pennsylvania in numerous ways, including:
- Connecting caregivers to health, financial, and legal services.
- Connecting caregivers to training and parenting support, identifying local physical or behavioral health services.
- Identifying support groups, and guiding caregivers on how to apply for federal, state, and local benefits such as CHIP and Social Security, and other services designed to support caregivers; and
- Providing access to a compassionate KinConnector who will listen and provide supportive guidance.
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June's Health Trends in Early Childhood: Summertime Play – Staying Safe and Cool
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Make a difference.
Each month, Health Trends in Early Childhood delivers timely, easy-to-understand insights on health issues that matter most for young children. We break down the facts, explain why they matter, and show how they affect children, families, caregivers, and communities—and most importantly, what you can do to help keep children safe and thriving.
In the June issue:
🔹 Why are young children spending less time outdoors?
🔹 How does this affect their growth, health, and development?
🔹 Tips for safe and meaningful outdoor play
🔹 Trusted resources to help you learn more
Print it. Share it. Use it. This one-page guide is perfect for parents, educators, and caregivers. Plus, you can explore the helpful links for deeper learning. Together, we can build healthier futures—one child at a time.
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Benefits of Barefoot Outdoor Play
Kids seem to naturally be drawn to bare feet. Like most things kids do, there are actually many benefits to spending time barefoot, especially outside. Celebrate today's National Barefoot Day on June 1 with five great reasons to consider barefoot play outdoors this summer.
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Keep Your Child Healthy and Protected!
Staying on track with your child’s regular checkups and recommended vaccines is important. If your child is behind on any shots—or even if they haven’t had any yet—don’t worry! You can still catch up, and it’s easier than you might think. The good news is there’s no need to start over. Talk to your child’s doctor and take the first step today. Learn more at PA's Promise for Children.
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Should Your Kindergartner Drink Juice?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy recommends that kindergarten-aged children (4-6 years) limit juice to no more than 4-6 ounces per day. This is the amount in a typical juice box. Children should also not be allowed to carry a cup or juice box throughout the day. The evidence is clear that excessive juice consumption can lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Visit HealthyChildren.org to see other options for kindergartners when they're thirsty.
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Preventing Food Waste
With food costs rising, families are looking for ways to stretch their budgets. The Food Fact resource from the USDA outlines strategies to minimize food waste, along with a food storage chart to help keep your food fresher longer.
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Summer Safety
A few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. Protect your child's skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays anytime outdoors with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and shade. Get sun safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pennsylvania's Promise for Children also has ways to keep your preschooler safe while having fun this summer season with these six tips.
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Calendar of Activities for Early Learning Professionals
As the weather warms up, outdoor water play becomes a favorite in many early learning and summer programs. Before the fun begins, be sure your program is ready and safe by reviewing 55 Pa. Code § 3280.115. Water activity to stay in compliance.
While you’re at it, don’t miss the July Calendar of Activities, packed with fun ideas and helpful tips to support early learning professionals as they help children and families get ready for a successful school year!
Still need some ideas for June? The June Calendar of Activities for Early Learning Professionals is still available!
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