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!
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Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development
Parents and Caregivers can find recommendations from the CDC on creating a safe sleep environment for Infants.

Sleep needs for babies vary depending on their age.
Play
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that infants always sleep on their back, but they also recommend that babies get plenty of tummy time when they're awake and alert enough to play.
Short video on Five Essential Tummy Time Moves.
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor

Fine Motor Fall fun for Toddlers playing with corn cobs. 

Take some playdough on a nature walk. Make some imprints into the playdough with leaves, rocks, tree stumps, branches and bark.   Link to Activity Here
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The sweet smell of apple pie can cheer up anyone’s day. This simple and sweet apple pie sensory bin provides the yummy smell without the need for baking! Link to Activity Here

In childcare, the issue with sensory bins is the difficulty in keeping it from spreading germs. Use individual sensory bins in plastic tubs/shoe box.
Label with child’s photo and name, or store in cubby.

Make a safe sensory activity with water beads in a sandwich bag taped to window.
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Literacy/Math

While you’re out and about enjoying the Fall season, collect some leaves and bring them home to play these seasonal letter and maths games.
Social Emotional Development
Interacting with others will be a huge part of a child’s life.
They will need to have skills in order to socialize and play with others.

Happy Sad Sorting Game for Toddlers. Link to Activity Here

Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor
Make moving and gross motor skill development fun for kids with Apple Toss Motor Game. Can be played as an individual or in groups. 

Scarecrow tag is an Autumn twist to tag that will get preschoolers moving.
Science/Sensory
This salt crystal leaves science experiment perfect for young kids. Growing salt crystals is a really fun and simple kitchen science style experiment you can do either at home or in the classroom. 

“I wonder if any of these apples will balance on the tubes?” is a great question to start out this STEM Apple Challenge. Link to Activity Here
Literacy/Math
Fall is a great time to taste red, yellow and green apples. Are they juicy, mushy, shiny, crunchy or soft? After the tasting is completed, charting everyone’s favorite is a great way to compare and practice some extra math skills. 

This Alphabet Apple Tree may seem like a simple letter activity and it is but it’s sneaky too. Little fingers have to peel the apples off giving their fine motor skills some serious work.
Creative Arts
Make this yarn apple craft with your preschoolers. Link to Activity Here

Create watercolor paint with fall spices for added sensory benefit. Invite the children to explore and squeeze paint onto coffee filters then cut into shapes of leaves when dry.