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. At the end of each activity you will find the Domain and Goal for each of the activities provided. For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo.
Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development

Witnessing your baby crawl for the first time is a memorable event. Parents sometimes wonder when can they expect their baby will crawl.
Pulling up and standing is another exciting milestones for babies and parents alike. These important skills help babies develop their arm and leg muscles and give them a whole new, upright view of the world.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-4
Play

Build gross motor skills with this super simple obstacle course activity that invites babies to crawl and learn.

Rolling over is an important milestone. This article gives you 10 tips for helping babies learn to roll over.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-4
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor
Add turkey basters to a color mixing activity. Toddlers love watching the changing colors and strengthen their hands as they squeeze the baster.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-5

Over the river and through the woods to grandma's house we go. Set out two jump ropes, or draw two chalk lines to represent the river, and have kids try to jump over it. Try making it wider in some spots and narrower in others for a few levels of challenge.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-4
Science/Sensory

This fall play dough invitation combines some of the scents, colors, and symbols of fall. Make some pumpkin scented play dough. Then add in some loose parts to encourage tons for creativity. 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Looking for an easy activity? Let your toddlers explore in an eco-friendly birdseed sensory bin.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math

With this magic letter activity, first letters appear out of nowhere! A fun way to use crayon wax resist art to introduce your toddler to first letters.
Foundations for Writing CLL-10

DIY touch and feel shapes! This is perfect to make for young children that are learning about shapes, involving their sense of touch in the learning process. 
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-5

Social Emotional

Toddlers love animals so this scripted story uses interesting animal photos to help you teach and talk to children about simple Classroom Rules.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-4

Link below to a tip sheet on creating and teaching rules at home.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-4
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Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

The possibilities for creating a sensory path to give children a movement break are endless. Link below to see what schools across the country are doing.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-2
Learning to cut with scissors requires fine motor skills to move the small muscles in your hand. It requires hand-eye coordination to move the scissors where the eyes want them to go. Link to the video below for ways to help preschoolers with their scissor skills.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory
Let your children explore what will happen when you pound on fabric that is over a leaf. It’s an interesting discovery to see what happens! 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

Kids love science and water so why not do a fall-themed sink and float science experiment. Gather a variety of fall items like leaves, small pumpkins, rocks and apples to explore.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math
If you haven’t signed up your organization, school, class or kiddos for the Race to Write to help grow our virtual tree, please email racetowritesd@gmail.com. For more information Link to Black Hills Reads
Foundations for Writing Goal CLL-9

Create this simple Fall Leaf number game that can help children recognize numbers, practice writing them and keep moving while they play.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4
Creative Arts

Tissue paper and watercolor leaves make beautiful fall art as well as strengthen fine muscles.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

This three step tape resist process art project is great for children of all ages. There is no right or wrong way to use this technique, making it a wonderful invitation to try out some art, explore paint and colors, and enjoy creating for pure enjoyment.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD -12