View as Webpage

Early Learner Digest March 2023 Strategies to Support Health & Physical Development in Early Learners

Staying on Track We know that learning begins at birth and that healthy development greatly impacts a child's ability to learn. Children who are on track in their physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and verbal development are more successful learners from their earliest years. They are also more likely to become proficient readers.

Learn the Signs. Act Early. Is your baby’s or young child’s development on track for his or her age? Young children grow so fast it can be hard to know what to expect. With the FREE Milestone Tracker app from the CDC, you can learn how children play, learn, speak, act, and move as they grow and how you can support your child’s development.

Check out all of the CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early" resources to track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern. You can also find age-specific developmental checklists tailored to South Dakota on the SD Parent Connection website.

Additional Development Resources SD Step Ahead - Find developmentally appropriate goals for children’s development and learning at each age level. SD Birth to Three - Contributes to the success of children with developmental delays and their families by providing dynamic, individualized early intervention services and supports by building on family strengths through every day routines and learning experiences. Early Learner Toolbox - The SD Statewide Family Engagement Center, in collaboration with Early Childhood Connections, developed several family friendly documents designed to help adults understand how to support their child’s learning and development. Check out their guides for Health and Physical Development in Infants and Toddlers and Preschool Age Children.

Tips for Raising Healthy Readers Visit your pediatrician on a regular basis to ensure your child's health and well-being. Ask your child's pediatrician during your routine visits to determine if hearing or vision tests are needed. Immunizations are one of the best ways to protect infants, children, and teens from harmful diseases. Your baby should visit a dentist before their first birthday and yearly thereafter.

Resources & Articles with Additional Tips Physical Health & Wellness 9 Tips: How to Partner with your Child's Health Care Provider Catch Up on Well-Child Visits & Recommended Vaccinations SD Department of Health - Immunization Program Dental & Vision Care Delta Dental - Dentist By 1 Dental Care for Your Child - SD DOH Your Baby's Vision Nutrition & Fitness Physical Activity and Your Toddler What to Feed Your Preschooler South Dakota WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Healthy SD

Reading to Support Health & Physical Development Are you looking for books to support your early learner's health and physical development? Consider choosing books that address topics such as healthy eating, exercise, or personal hygiene. For more suggestions to keep in mind, check out this list of recommendations from SD Step Ahead.

Book Recommendations The Night Before the Dentist by Natasha Wing Summer Supper by Rubin Pfeffer Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt Grumpy Monkey Up All Night by Suzanne Lang I'm Not Sleepy by Trish Holland

Save the Date!

Register Now!

Power Hour Virtual Learning Event April 24th at 6:30pm MT Join Black Hills Reads, SD Statewide Family Engagement Center, & SD Association for the Education of Young Children for the next Power Hour for childcare providers and other early learning professionals! This quarter's theme is Summer Reading. Join us for amazing speakers, interactive breakout conversations, prizes, and more!

imagination BOOK STOP Check out the Book Stop Guide for We Are All Related by Jessie Taken Alive-Rencountre! For more Imagination Book Stops, visit Black Hills Reads Resources. Each Book Stop features information about the book, discussion ideas, activities, and more!

‌ ‌ ‌