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

Put on your favorite Christmas music and encourage your toddlers to do a Christmas themed Workout.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
An easy cut out of a snowman and some clothes pins make for great fine motor activity.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory

This Gingerbread Playdough Recipe is a perfect winter sensory play activity for toddlers.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

December is a time to find jingle bells for your toddler to explore. Link below for ideas on making a simple jingle bell Christmas sensory bin!
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Literacy/Math

Toddlers will love the story of David's antics in "It's Christmas, David!" Link below to questions that you can use to get your child to think and talk about what is happening in the book
Link to Read Aloud of Book (animated version of the book)
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-2

Too cold to get outside? Create a number hopping games to make learning math fun for toddlers.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4
Social Emotional
Holidays involve presents, but presence-quality time-is the best gift of all. Link below to Respectful Ways Checklist of fun activities that children can do with the whole family this holiday season.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2

Roleplay some stressful situations and help kids find solutions when upset:
  • Stop
  • Take a breath to calm down
  • Observe the situation
  • Proceed with a solution
Link below to a Social Story on how Suri Spider finds a solution.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors SED-4
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

Make a snowman toss game is a fun way to work on hand-eye coordination and build gross motor and fine motor skills. 
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Practice fine motor skills by making these beautiful snowflakes. Added bonus ideas to include math included.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory
If you have never made slime now might be a great time to try this Gingerbread slime recipe. A how to video is included to show how easy it can be.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

For this fizzing candy canes experiment, you will just need candy canes, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math
Easy to set up Snowball Name Activity. Also a great fine motor activity.
Foundations for Writing Goal CLL-9

Here are some great ideas for setting up a jingle bell math station either at home or in the classroom
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-6
Creative Arts

This winter art project is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers! It’s a fun, winter process art activity that uses an unexpected object to create snowballs with the paint.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

Make Winter Texture Collages to explore the chilly colors of winter and a wonderful sensory experience.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12