We're off to a strong start in this Kindergarten year! Help your child learn by trying these activities, then visiting your library to check out a book about it. Visit the PA Promise for Children website to find more activities or to print the book list.

We are learning Language and Literacy.

Do it!

Pick a letter of the alphabet and help your kindergartner write it on a piece of paper. Outline the letter with glue and let it dry and harden. Have your child trace the letter with their finger first, then have them write it with a crayon.

Read it!

A Mountain Alphabet by Margriet Ruurs. ABC Mystery by Doug Cushman.

We are learning Language and Literacy.

Do it!

Play Simon Says with your kindergartner using directional words and a ball. Give directions such as, "Simon Says, put the ball on your head," or "Simon Says, put the ball behind your back." Teach your kindergartner to take turns by having them give you directions. Manipulate a ball on their body and review the directional words as you do. Continue to incorporate directional vocabulary words throughout your kindergartners' day. For example, the train track is next to the road.

Read it!

Rhinoceroses Tap: 15 Seriously Silly Songs by Sandra Boynton. Flamingos on the Roof by Calef Brown.

We are learning Language and Literacy.

Do it!

Talk with your kindergartner about sleeping words. A nap is a short sleep. What other words describe what happens when we sleep? (Like snore, snooze, doze, etc.) Help your kindergartner find pictures of people sleeping in books and family photos. Demonstrate what each sleep word looks like or sounds like. Use the sign and Braille word for each. Explain why their bodies need to sleep, and that they grow and recuperate while they sleep.

Read it!

The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan. It's Time to Sleep, My Love by Eric Metaxas.

We are learning Mathematics Thinking and Expression.

Do it!

Help your kindergartner draw or build a house using only the following shapes: square, rectangle, triangle, and circle. Develop fine motor skills by practicing manipulating fabric patterns or wooden blocks to create a house with shapes. There are several apps that allow children to manipulate shapes with their fingertips or even their eye movements, which is a concern for mobility.

Read it!

Shape by Shape by Suse MacDonald. A Circle Here, A Square There by David Diehl.

You can be a Family Leader!

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) kicks off November's National Family Engagement Month with a video from Deputy Secretary Shante' Brown.

Celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of family engagement and leadership during November's National Family Engagement Month. Pennsylvania's Promise for Children has information and resources for supporting family engagement and leadership. Read family stories, watch their videos, and find ways families can become involved. Providers can also use suggestions in the November Family Engagement Calendar as opportunities to increase engagement with families and support leadership in their early learning program, and learn about ways to help increase family engagement.

2027 PA One Book Selection Announced!

The Pennsylvania One Book team is excited to announce that Don't Wash Winston by Ashley Belote has been selected as the 2027 PA One Book!

Beginning in Spring 2027, this heartwarming and humorous story will be shared in libraries, early learning programs, and communities across Pennsylvania. Through Winston's unforgettable adventure, children and families will have opportunities to read, learn, and connect through engaging activities and experiences designed to support early literacy.

Stay tuned for free resources, programming ideas, and special events that will help bring this year's PA One Book selection to life.

Learn more about the program and upcoming resources at paonebook.powerlibrary.org.

Together, let's inspire a love of reading in Pennsylvania's youngest learners!

Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The 2026-2027 LIHEAP Season is scheduled to open on November 2, 2026.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) provides cash grants to help Pennsylvania families pay their heating bills. To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. Renters and homeowners are both eligible for benefits.

For more information, including how to apply, visit the PA Department of Human Services website.

PA DHS' Human Services Helpers Substack

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has available the Human Services Helpers, a Substack that covers updates on DHS programs, news from the agency, and how organizations and partners can help their communities. Sign up for updates today and be a helper for PA!

Preparing for Emergencies: Tips for Families with Young Children

It is important to ensure that you and your family are well prepared should disaster strike; preparedness and planning are key. Children have unique needs, especially during disasters or emergencies. Using everyday situations from children’s lives to help your child learn and build skills will help them if they face an emergency in the future. Back-and-forth interactions with you can help your child’s developing brain make connections with what is happening around them and help them feel safe and secure.

Try the brain-building tips from Child Care Aware with your child to prepare for, respond to, or recover from an emergency.

Read Aloud 15 Fall Challenge

Investigate the fall season with Detective Readatron-15! Read Aloud 15 has developed resources that offer various ways for children to explore the fall season with Detective Readatron-15. These resources encourage children to explore the world around them while increasing their vocabulary and language skills.

Find matching games, sensory hunts, and more printable resources using these links:

If you’re looking for new books to share with or explore with children of various ages, check out the book selections webpage that is also available. Please use these resources and share them with others to help promote reading aloud every day!

7 Tips for Traveling with Your Kindergartner

Traveling with young children can be challenging, especially if you're unprepared. Try these tips to keep your child occupied while traveling this upcoming holiday season!

Plan ahead. If your trip is delayed due to weather, traffic, or cancellations, be prepared with a change of clothing, enough drinks, and snacks.
Start singing! Singing with your child will help pass the miles. Your library has music to borrow to help keep your child entertained.
Pack smart. Add a small pad of paper and crayons or colored pencils to a purse or backpack for drawing pictures, making origami (fold into a square!), or playing a game (like tic-tac-toe).
Be selective. Set aside specific toys and books for use only while traveling.
Keep it real. Have reasonable expectations of yourself and your child. Take breaks when needed.
Stay well hydrated and well fed. Travel can be dehydrating, and empty tummies are grumpy tummies, so take travel-friendly snacks like dry cereal, cut veggies, and fruit. Pack water or juice boxes.
Fly friendly. Traveling by plane? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has information for traveling with children.

Vocabulary Activities to Try with Your Kindergartner

Building a large “word bank” is one of the best ways to help young children with comprehension. From the earliest years, children use knowledge of words to make sense of the world, and as they get older, that word bank helps them make sense of what they’re reading. Get vocabulary activities for your kindergartener from Reading Rockets.

What the Children’s Librarian at Your Public Library Can Do for Your Young Reader

Your public library is one of the most valuable resources for supporting your child’s early literacy development. Head to the children’s section and you’ll find books, programs, and support designed specifically to serve your child and your family, as well as a wise guide — the children’s librarian on staff at your public library! Check out this article from Reading Rockets to find out more.

Podcast: How to Keep Kids Trying

Why do some kids keep trying when something is difficult, while others quickly give up? In this episode of Thriving Kids (41:32) from The Child Mind Institute, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Yale University researcher Dr. Julia Leonard to explore the science of motivation, persistence, and learning — and the important role parents and other adults can play in helping kids decide which challenges are worth pursuing.

7 Back-to-School Safety Tips All Families Should Know

During the school year, ensuring children’s safety and well-being is a top priority. Whether a child is heading to kindergarten or high school, these essential safety tips for families from the Center for Safe Schools are to keep in mind throughout the school year.

Trauma Resources for Families with Young Children

During these challenging times, ZERO TO THREE has free resources for families and caregivers, and professionals who support them, that offer guidance on helping young children grieve and process traumatic experiences, enabling them to provide the best care for babies and themselves in times of war and turmoil, including:

Safe Vehicle Traveling with Kindergartners

Did you know your kindergartner should be using a booster seat when riding in a vehicle?

At the www.pakidstravelsafe.org website, sponsored by the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, find all types of safety information to keep your kindergartner safe, including car seat loan programs, car or booster seat fitting station locations, and access to a child car seat technician to ensure the correct installation of a car or booster seat in a vehicle.

December Calendar of Activities for Early Learning Professionals

December is a busy month with National Influenza Week, National Handwashing Awareness Week, and several holidays. Early childhood educators can find everyday ways to incorporate early learning activities with the children in their care in The Pennsylvania Key's December 2026 Calendar of Activities for Early Learning Staff.