Did you know that when preschoolers play, they learn? It's true! Use these activities to encourage your preschooler to play. Then visit the library to find a book about the activity.
We're learning Language and Literacy Skills
Do it!
Collect different kinds of things around the house that you and your preschooler can use to build. Use objects like pillows, shoe boxes, empty cereal boxes, etc. to create a masterpiece.
Read it!
The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale by Steven Guarnaccia. Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty.
We're learning Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Do it!
Help your preschooler draw straight, curvy, wavy or zigzag lines across a piece of paper. Give child-safe scissors for them to practice cutting on the lines. If your preschooler has difficulty drawing or cutting, trace or precut different types of lines using different colors This can also be used as a self-check matching activity. Allow your preschooler sort the different lines and try to match them to their significant color.
Read it!
So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban. When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene.
We're learning Social Emotional Development
Do it!
Help your preschooler make a list of Things I can do myself. Ask them what special things they can do alone. Put a list and post on the refrigerator. Creating a social story book with pictures of your preschooler and special things they can do is a great way for them to see themselves in action.
Read it!
Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson. Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London.
We're learning Social Studies Thinking
Do it!
Sort laundry together. Sort by color, by types of items (all the shirts together) and by family member.
Read it!
One Watermelon Seed by Celia Lottridge. Big and Little by Steve Jenkins.
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COVID-19 Pandemic: What Will Your Preschooler Remember? |
The past year has brought many changes which have created stress and concerns. Families may have experienced significant changes, like homelessness, illness, or employment loss. Even children are not immune and may have had child care or school changes, or absence of family members or friends. One concern families may have is what will their children remember from these experiences?
Here are a few recommended articles from the staff at Pennsylvania's Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program. These articles have information on what impacts a child's memories and experiences.
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Language Development and Young Children |
In 2013, Stanford University released a study showing a language gap in children living in families with different income levels. The study found “children of lower-income, less-educated parents typically enter school with poorer language skills than their more privileged counterparts. By some measures, 5-year-old children of lower socioeconomic status score more than two years behind on standardized language development tests by the time they enter school.”
A delay in language development can impact the way a child learns, not only while young, but as they get older.
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Share Your Story for Month of the Young Child |
Everyone's story is unique, and hearing stories from other families can provide inspiration, encouragement and support.
PA's Promise for Children wants to celebrate families during April's Month of the Young Child. Will you consider sharing your story? Your story might be about:
- What makes your child special
- What dreams you have for your child
- How you help your young child grow, how you help your child feel safe and loved, learn new things, or meet and get along with new people
- How the help of a home visitor, therapist or nurse at home has made an impact for your child and family.
- How a child care, early learning program or teacher has helped you and your child
- How you have seen your child grow, addressed challenges related to illness, disabilities or delays, or learned new words, new skills, or come out of their shell.
- Read stories other families have shared!
Early childhood education (ECE) professionals and others may share stories with written permission from the child’s parent/guardian.
Your story will be profiled on Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children website at www.papromiseforchildren.com. We will let you know when your story is live so you can share it with your friends and family.
Although we'll help you tell your story, we won't share identifiable information about your family or your child (like last names or specific locations). If you have any questions, please contact Mary at marhal@pakeys.org.
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First Step: Kindergarten Registration! |
What's the first step for Kindergarten? Registration! Although each school district has their own process for Kindergarten Registration, typically families will need to bring specific documents to register their child. This may include:
- The child's birth certificate
- Proof of residency (like a utility bill or copy of a lease)
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Vaccination records (the PA Dept. of Health shares which ones your child needs)
- Any forms required by the school district, like an application or emergency contact list.
- There may be other documents needed, so check with your school district.
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Sparking Children's Imagination and Creativity |
Imagination and creativity can create new worlds, make play a deeper learning experience, and bring life to activities and ideas. Use these tips to help your preschooler develop imagination and creativity.
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Eating healthy foods is part of helping your child grow. How knowledgeable are you about fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has five short online quizzes to test how much you know and provide information.
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Financial help with your child's medical expenses |
The United Healthcare Children's Foundation can help provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
Qualifying families may receive up to $5,000 per child, per year ($10,000 lifetime max). The funds help pay for medical treatment, services or equipment such as surgeries, counseling, prescription medications, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses, hearing aids and physical, occupational and speech therapies. Click here to learn more.
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Bedroom Safety for Children of All Ages |
A child's bedroom can be a multi-purpose room, used for sleeping, quiet time, or play. The bedroom should also be a safe place for your child. Take time to ensure that your child's safety won't stop at the bedroom door.
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Keeping Your Preschooler Healthy |
Did you know there are vaccine-preventable diseases you can protect your preschooler? You may have almost forgotten about diseases like Diphtheria, Chickenpox, Mumps, Whooping Cough (Pertussis) and others because of vaccines. It's still important for your preschooler to have vaccines though! While these diseases are preventable, they can still exist and infect those who are not vaccinated. Vaccines can help keep your preschooler healthy, and vaccines may be required for your child to attend school or an early learning program. Find out which vaccines your child should receive and when.
Getting your preschooler vaccinated is easy. In Pennsylvania, the Vaccine for Children Program (VFC) provides vaccinations to children who do not have health insurance or children who are insured but the insurance does not cover immunizations (underinsured). These children are eligible to receive federally funded vaccines at public sites, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. For more information, call the Vaccines for Children program: 1-888-646-6864.
For children without insurance, PA CHIP may be able to help. CHIP is short for the Children's Health Insurance Program – Pennsylvania's program to provide health insurance to uninsured children who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. Regardless of the reasons your children might not have health insurance, CHIP may be able to help you. Visit www.chipcoverspakids.com.
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Top Pins for Preschoolers
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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
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