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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!
The South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines is a resource for teachers and families intended to be a guide for teaching. Black Hills READS will now be listing Domain and Goals for the activities provided. For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo.
Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development
Most people are familiar with the five senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. However, we also have two additional senses. Watch this video to learn about vestibular and proprioception senses. 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Play

Make a simple ball drop game for baby by recycling boxes.
Motor Development CLL-5

Let your baby explore edible paint made with rice cereal.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Baby safe playdough is a great way for your baby to develop fine motor skills.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor
Winter is here early this year. Use paper plates or wax paper and show your toddler how to glide along on carpet. Try to imitate speed skaters, hockey players, or figure skaters.
Motor Development HPD-4

A kitchen whisk and pom poms can make an interesting fine motor activity for toddlers.
Motor Development CLL-5
Science/Sensory

Mix flour, water and food coloring together. Pour into plastic bag and then snip a corner to create a piping bag. Let your toddler squeeze out the mixture.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Create a soapy sensory jar and let your toddler shake and roll to see bubbles form.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math

Songs and fingerplays about families is a great literacy activity. Link to Songs Here
Communicating and Oral Language Development -Goal CLL-2

Use a regular deck of playing cards to play a simple sorting game.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression-Goal CD-6
Social Emotional

Trace child’s hand print twice. Cut out. Also cut out a long rectangle. Glue one hand print on either end of the long rectangle (arms). Write on the arm part: My family is special because ______. Have the children finish the sentence.
Developing a Positive Sense of Self SED-1
Being kind is a skill that we can practice just like math, science, or reading. It starts by helping our children recognize when a friend or family member is upset or needs help. 
Developing Relationships Goal SED-2
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

After reading the book, Jonathan and His Mommy, go through the book once more, and have the children walk in the same ways that Jonathan does. Link to Story Here
Motor Development HPD-4
Communication, Language and Literacy Goal CLL-5
Create a strip of paper with circles down both sides. these hole punch strips. Children roll a dice and punch that many holes on the strip. The first one to the finish line wins! 
Motor Development CLL-5
Mathematical Thinking and Expression CLL-4
Science/Sensory
Did you know Silly Putty was an accidental invention during the second World War? This rubber-like substance will mold into millions of shapes and even bounce! Make your own using only two household supplies for a project that's also a great chemistry or history lesson!
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Fall is a great time to explore the 5 senses. Link to various fall sensory activities.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math
This Sight Word Sensory Activity with Shaving Cream and Foil is Messy, noisy, and fun for preschoolers. It also makes a great high chair activity for toddlers. Enjoy!
Communication, Language and Literacy CLL-8

Chart out each child's family for an awesome math activity
Mathematical Thinking and Experssion CD-6
Creative Arts

Encourage children to create a self-portrait.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
Developing A Positive Sense of Self SED-1

Have children create a family tree.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
Developing A Positive Sense of Self SED-1