Fun for Black Hills Early Learners

We are here to bring you fun activities for any child age 0-5 years. Happy learning! At the end of each activity domain and goals for the activities are provided. For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo

FUN ACTIVITIES Infants Half fill a plastic bin with warm water and throw in about 12-15 plastic balls. Grab a slotted spoon and a sieve to act as the scoops and have some fun. Can be played outdoors or indoors set up on a shower curtain. Link to Activity Here Motor Development Goal HPD-5 Here is a simple and taste safe fingerpaint you can make with items from your kitchen. Link to Recipe Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Give your baby a wonderful sensory experience with this mini water blob. You most likely have all you need to make this fun DIY baby toy already and it couldn’t be easier to assemble. Your baby can squish and “splash” to their hearts content without making one bit of mess. Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Toddlers Paint under plastic wrap is an interesting way to explore what happens to the paint as it moves under the plastic wrap. Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Make a Math Game out of playing with small cars. Use a cardboard box to make a parking garage and learn and have fun. Link to Activity Here Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4 This is an easy process art activity that is perfect for little hands. Try this mesh dabber painting with your toddler. Link to Activity Here Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12 Preschoolers There’s no better way to spend time with preschoolers and incorporate hands-on learning into your day than spending time together in the kitchen. With this simple 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe, you can enjoy the reward of your hard work with a plate of cookies and milk. Link to Recipe Here Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-6 Amaze your preschoolers by walking on uncooked eggs without breaking them and making a scrambled mess! Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9 This simple game just needs 4 corners and at least 10 children to play! Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-3

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OUTDOOR FUN Infants Tummy Time is so important to your babies development. So grab a blanket and some toys and move the action outdoors. Babies will love reaching for and touching new things, like grass and leaves. And when they’re finished with their tummy time, roll them on their back and let them see the sky. Link to Article Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2 When the mercury rises, make sure your baby is comfortable in the summer heat to keep them happy and healthy with this hot-weather survival guide. Link to Guide Here Self-Care, Safety, and Well-Being Goal HPD-7 Toddlers For the most part, kids don't master catching and throwing until they hit about age 5. Eye-hand coordination is important here and it takes a little while to develop that skill. In any case, it's fun to practice. Use balls of different sizes (or even beanbags) and take turns throwing and catching. Don't use a ball that is too hard. Start off close together and gradually move farther apart. Physical Health and Growth Goal HD-2 Create a Mud Station on your playground or in your backyard. Grab some interesting kitchen tools and do some Mud painting. Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Make your own bubble mix and watch the bubbles float through the air outdoors. Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8 Preschoolers To make your own bubble mix recipe for art projects, it is important it is to have a strong solution with vibrant colors. FINALLY, here is bubble mix that rocks for making mounds of bubbles with vibrant colors to make prints! Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8 Preschoolers seem to have a natural curiosity and interest in dinosaurs. This Dinosaur sensory play activity will cool your kids off and make them happy. Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge CD-8 Kids loves science, and many love to play Minecraft. So put the two together for an icy fun Minecraft activity perfect for the summer that gets them off their devices! Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

EVERYDAY MOMENTS Infants It’s the special interplay between parent and child that makes everyday moments so meaningful. Download each of the booklets to discover new ideas and suggestions for how to support your baby’s development while also meeting your own needs. Birth to Four Months Four to Six Months Six to Nine Months Nine to Twelve Months Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Toddlers Bedtime is great for quiet bonding—and learning. Link below to simple ways to encourage oral development with your toddler as you wind down from your day. Link to Activity Here Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1 Watch the video together, then play “I Spy” wherever you are (“I spy with my little eye…something round and red…yes, it’s an apple. Your turn!”) Then, next time you’re in the supermarket, play “I Spy”again! Watch Video on How to play "I Spy" while at the Supermarket Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal -3 Preschoolers Use this dot to dot activity to quiet down and recognize numbers and relax before bedtime. Link to Activity Here Link to Dot-to-Dot Printable Mathematical Thinking Expression Goal CD-4 When picking out fruit for a snack, play a guessing game. "Is this orange sweet or sour? Is this apple crisp or mushy?" Use words your child might not understand yet and ask him to use his own words to describe tastes. When you eat the fruit later, talk about the guesses. By using new words and asking questions, you help build your child’s vocabulary and their reasoning skills. Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-3

LITERACY Infants When you talk to your child, you support her language development. Think about what you are saying from your infant's point of view.  Link to article below for ideas to support language development. Link to Article Here Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3 Labeling is very important for early language learning. Nouns are much easier for infants to learn than verbs. Be sure to give babies the names of their body parts, such as nose, toes, hands, and tummy. When you want to teach face names, support babies on your lap in front of a mirror and touch their noses, cheeks, chins, ears, as you say the names of each facial part. Smile and point to that body part in the mirror image. Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3 Toddlers Water, water, water…toddlers can not get enough of playing with water. So build off their interests and meet them where they are. Set up a washing dishes station outside and add some letter dishes. Water play meets the alphabet! Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Make simple name puzzles so children can learn the letters in their name. Link to Activity Here Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-6 Creating tissue paper letters is simple, fun way to explore the letters of the alphabet and great for fine-motor skills! Link to Activity Here Foundations For Writing Goal CLL-10 Preschoolers Don't forget to check out your local public library for fun summer reading program events!! Link to more Info Here Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-4 This Giant Chalk Keyboard is an alternative to hopscotch and an interesting way to explore letters. Link to Activity Here Foundations For Writing Goal CLL-10 Transform your backyard or outdoor play space by creating a DIY Chalkboard! Backyard chalkboards are a great outdoor play area and educational space for children to learn and create. Link to Activity Here Foundations for Writing Goal CLL-9