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 domain and goals for the activities are provided. For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo.

Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development
The first twelve months of a baby’s life are full of sensory advancements. Sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste all develop faster during the first 12 months of life than during any time thereafter. As a baby’s senses become more refined, their unique preferences and responses begin to reveal themselves, and their personalities begin to shine.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning CD-1
Play

This easy-to-set-up sensory bin activity for infants only requires cloth napkins or fabric scraps. (You can even use socks!)
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning CD-1

Infants use their senses to learn about the world around them. Sensory stimulation is linked to emotional, cognitive and physical development.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning CD-1
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor

Get your toddlers strutting around like a turkey to play this adaptation of the freeze game.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Here is a challenging fine motor activity. Give your toddler(s) a handful of small corn kernels to pitch into a large bowl.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory

Grab some food you would typically eat at Thanksgiving dinner and experiment with which will sink and which will float.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Bright white playdough is a great fine motor activity idea for your toddler.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
Literacy/Math

This is a letter recognition activities for toddlers! First, write a few letters down on sticky notes. Next, hide the sticky notes throughout the room, reminding your toddler(s) not to peek. Once the sticky notes are hidden, encourage your toddler to go find the letters! Help your child(ren) identify each letter they find. “You found letter S!” 
Foundations For Reading CLL-8

Customize your own bingo cards to match shapes or numbers.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-5/CD-4
Social Emotional
A simple game that gives participants a chances to think about things they are thankful for. This could be played in classroom or around the dinner table with adults and children.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors SED-4

This is the time of year we give thanks and gratitude. It also is a time of giving to those less fortunate. There is perhaps no better way for all of us to cultivate gratitude than to serve others. Teach the children in your care the value of service by regularly finding opportunities to serve —such as collecting canned goods for a food bank, visiting elderly people in nursing homes or making a meal for a family in need.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors SED-4
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

This may be the BEST Thanksgiving activity out there for kids and adults! You will be laughing so hard when you do this activity with your family or classroom! It’s a good time for everyone involved.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Find below some ideas to explore cranberries using fine motor skills.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory
We are lucky to have lots of evergreen pine trees in our area. But how sturdy are these pine branches. Try experimenting to see how hardy these pine branches are.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Fall is a great time to expand on the classic oobleck experiment. Add applesauce and cinnamon following this recipe.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
Literacy/Math
At Circle time, meal time or anytime play this Thanksgiving game to improve oral language skills. Choose a player to select something or someone in mind related to Thanksgiving. That player will say, “I’m thinking about place, person or thing”. The other participant(s) guess what it is by asking twenty questions. The first player can answer only in ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If you want to add math, you can keep track of how many questions it takes, using 20 turkey feathers cut out of construction paper.
Communication and Oral Language Development CLL-3

Make your own number rocks to help preschoolers explore and support hands on math learning.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4
Creative Arts

Messy fun and easy decorations with simple glitter plates.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

Clay is a fun medium to explore. Try these air-dried bowls with your preschoolers.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12