September 2020
Activities aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards to help your preschooler prepare for Kindergarten. 
Let's Play and Learn
Did you know that when preschoolers play, they learn? It's true! Use these activities to encourage your preschooler to play.

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. They can use items, pictures or objects to tell their story or even act it out. 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 their interests to increase enthusiasm and hold their attention. Say, "Can you find all the cars that are blue?" 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. You can also introduce empty cereal boxes and plastic food to play at home. This allows for open-ended learning experiences that build creativity. 
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.   
Featured Article: The Importance of Parent's Mental Health
Families and others who care for children often experience significant stress, whether it’s the normal stress of being responsible for many things at once (job, family, multiple children, household chores, etc.), seasonal stress (holidays, winter blues), or significant stress due to family crises, military deployment, financial problems, etc. 

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, families are faced with unusual challenges. We may be caring for a child full-time, without assistance or support from child care, family members or friends. We may be juggling caring for our child while working full-time. We may feel as if we don’t have one minute to ourselves, may feel overwhelmed, tired, or frustrated. All of these feelings are very normal!

While we know some stress is a normal part of being human and is even healthy, we also know when parents and caregivers experience a lot of stress, it has a negative impact on the children in their care. Parental and caregiver stress levels can cause immediate behavior problems as well as longer-term mental health issues, so taking care of ourselves and managing stress is very important.
What article was featured this time last year?
Economic Impact Payment
Even if you were not required to file a tax return, you may still qualify for the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. Oct. 15, 2020 is the deadline to apply.

Many U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens are eligible to receive an Economic Impact Payment. The payments are up to $1,200 per individual and some people may be eligible for up to an additional $500 per qualifying child. You don’t need income to be eligible.

Visit the IRS website for more information.
Resources for Children Wearing Face Masks
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recognizes helping young children to be comfortable wearing face masks and to keep face masks on may be challenging. It is important to help children feel more secure wearing a face mask when around other children and adults.

To help support families, and the Early Intervention and early childhood education community, available is a list of resources to help support and teach young children about wearing a face mask.
Is Your Family Ready for an Emergency?
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. Use this month to help your family prepare for emergencies like floods, fires, winter storms and more. 

Check out these resources to help your family prepare for emergencies. 
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. 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! 
  1. Safety and security for your preschooler. When you trust your child to someone else, you want to be sure that your child is in a safe place and that 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.
  2. Good teachers and specialists that support you and your preschooler. Your child's teacher shapes her 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 www.findchildcare.pa.gov or contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). Find your ELRC at www.raiseyourstar.org.
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. 
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.
Did you get this from a friend? Sign up to get next month's enews to your email!
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