News for Black Hills Early Learners
We are here to bring you fun activities for any child ages 0-5 years. We hope you find this useful and helpful during this very unusual time. Happy learning!
At the end of each activity you will find
South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines
domain and goal for the activity.
For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo.
Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development
Burping your newborn baby is a common part of baby’s daily routine. But you might wonder, what causes the need for baby to burp, and why do they need assistance to burp?

And what about those hiccups? When hiccups happen Your baby doesn't understand what's happening, might be startled by the hiccups, and could experience some discomfort from them. The following article explains causes, triggers and ways to eliminate hiccups.
Play

Always remember: back to sleep, tummy to play. Baby may not like being on their tummy at first because back and neck muscles are not very strong yet. Make Tummy Time part of baby’s daily routine starting with a few minutes at a time, a few times a day. Helps baby develop core strength.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

Remember: you don’t need special or scheduled time to play with your newborn baby. In fact the best time to sing, talk, and interact is when you are engaged in the most essential of caregiving routines such as holding, feeding, bathing, changing diapers.
Curiosity, Information-Seeking, and Eagerness Goal AL-2
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor
Try this pine cone painting activity to strengthen toddlers fine muscles.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

Play a sorting and running game to get toddlers moving and learning sorting objects by color.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-2
Science/Sensory

A pumpkin scented rice sensory bin is so much fun! Dig into all things fall like pinecones, nuts, and whole spices. (best for older toddlers.)
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Create a simple sensory activity that encourages toddlers to explore wet paper.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Literacy/Math

Have children sit in a circle (or a reasonable facsimile there-of). Go around the circle and have the children sing and clap each child's name:
Jerry’s here today,
Jerry’s here today,
We all clap together ‘cause,
Jerry’s here today.
Sing to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell.”
Foundations for Reading Goal CLL-7

Use photos of the children for fun math activities: Patterns, counting and classification.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4

Social Emotional
You don’t need to wait until your children are older to start teaching them to compromise. Even kids as young as 2 years of age can start to learn how to compromise
Developing Relationships Goal SED-2

Help children learn compromise. When conflict arises- by playing "Let's Make a Deal!"
Developing Relationships Goal SED-2
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor
There are a lot of leaves on the ground but do you know which tree they come from? Collect some leaves in the backyard or park and then look up to match the tree it came from.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-6

Get out the parachute and use real or paper leaves. Add a song and have some fun.
Physical,Health and Growth Goal HPD-2
Science/Sensory
This Fall STEM Challenge will not only get kids outside and engaged with nature, it will also encourage them to use their creativity and problem solving skills to create a leaf sculpture greater than 6 inches tall.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2

Preschoolers will enjoy this Fall activity: erupting mini pumpkin volcanos! 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
Literacy/Math
The book Hardscrabble Harvest by Dahlov Ipcar is a story of a family on a farm and the many animals that try to eat their crops. After reading the story play this gross motor game called Alphabet Harvest for an active way to work on alphabet knowledge and sounds.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-7

Recognizing numerals and placing numerals in the correct order are a few of the most essential skills for preschoolers to learn. Have fun with a hands-on math activity by creating a toilet paper tube number chain.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4
Creative Arts
Kids always love blotto painting! It’s such a fun surprise to open up your folded paper and reveal your finished blotto art! Use Fall colored paints.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

Looking for a fun preschool art activity that also strengthens fine motor development…with beautiful results? You will want to try this watercolor fall leaf art.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12