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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!
Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. Click on the Make It Safe Logo for information on Community risk and ideas to safely Celebrate Halloween.
The Make It Safe website is supported by the
SD Department of Health.
Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development

This video gives caregivers simple ways to weave physical activity into early care and education programs. Link to Motion Moments Video Here from the National Resource Center for Health and Safety
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Play
This is a great messy sensory play activity that can be done in an empty baby pool or plastic bathtub just to contain the mess and simplify clean-up. Make edible fall “paints” by combining pureed foods like pumpkin, yogurt and applesauce with a dash of autumn spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
(Best for babies 6 month+)
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor
These Fall Yarn Wrappings are beautiful as well as great to develop fine motor skills.

Try this silly and fun gross motor activity to get the kids moving with a simple tape jumping game!
Science/Sensory

Toddlers love to paint with their hands. It is messy fun but they will enjoy this Sensory Painting Bin.

Add caramel extract, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or vanilla extract to your playdough for the smell of Fall!!
Literacy/Math
The Disappearing Letter Alphabet combines letter recognition, color mixing and fine motor all in a super simple activity.

Looking for an activity to introduce shapes? This toddler circle activity involves moving around the room, finding hidden circles, and placing them on the felt board. 
Social Emotional
Change is hard for kids. Whether it’s big changes like moving to another town or small ones like moving from one activity to the next, transitions are hard. Transition strategies can help prevent meltdowns and lower anxiety in children. 

Use the Emotional Wheel to help toddlers understand their feelings and the feelings of others.
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor
Smart From the Start curriculum is a custom program designed to teach children the skills they need to make healthy choices about eating and physical activity. Created to fit within your preschool’s existing curriculum.
Science/Sensory
This cool science experiment shows how different variables impact how quickly ice melts. Link to PBS Parents for Activity Here

This Fall candy corn experiment is a great visual science experiment which you can also add some math too. 
Literacy/Math
Create a pumpkin patch letter matching activity perfect for fall.

Get your preschooler ready for math with simple and fun activities and games, perfect for home, the classroom at PBS Learning Media.
Creative Arts
Painting and decorating a small tree branch can be a great way for several children to work together on an art project.

Explore salt painting with your children. All you need is table salt, white glue, watercolors and thick paper.