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 the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines
domain and goals for the activity.
For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo.
Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development

Babies go through incredible physical changes in a short time. Here's what you can expect in terms of growth and development during the first six months. 
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Physical activity includes any activity where most of the body is moving and is a natural part of every day and can easily fit into your baby's daily routines.
Infants need opportunities every day to learn to move in different ways and across different environments.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Play
Here is a fun balloon kicking activity for babies gross motor development.  
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

The following video from the National Resource for Health and Safety gives caregivers simple ways to weave physical activity into early care and education programs.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor
These Fall Yarn Wrappings are beautiful as well as great for developing fine motor skills.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

Try this silly and fun gross motor activity to get the kids moving with a simple tape jumping game!
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-2
Science/Sensory

Toddlers love to paint with their hands. It is messy fun but they will enjoy this Sensory Painting Bin.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Add caramel extract, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or vanilla extract to your playdough for the smell of Fall!!
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Literacy/Math
The Disappearing Letter Alphabet combines letter recognition, color mixing and fine motor all in a super simple activity.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8

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. 
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-5
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. 
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-4

Use the Emotional Wheel to help toddlers understand their feelings and the feelings of others.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-5
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor
Pine cones and colorful yarn is all that is needed for a simple pine cone craft activity that is fabulous for developing fine motor skills.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

This fun, active group game for kids, is a novelty version tag, called Scarecrow Tag.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-2
Science/Sensory
Have you ever wondered how green leaves can turn orange, yellow and red?! This chromatography activity is a perfect kids’ science experiment for fall.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

This Fall candy corn experiment is a great visual science experiment which you can also add some math too. 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
Literacy/Math

This alphabet activity takes a little time to create but worth it. The soft felt leaves and hard clothes pins offer contrasting textures, opening and closing the clothes pins helps build hand strength, and of course there is letter recognition as well.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8
Fall is a great time to explore how a variety of apples taste. Then make a graph of children's favorites.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-6
Creative Arts
Painting and decorating a small tree branch can be a great way for several children to work together on an art project.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

Explore salt painting with your children. All you need is table salt, white glue, watercolors and thick paper.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12