The Kindergarten year has started strong! Help your child learn by trying these activities, then visiting your library to check out a book about it. Click here to print the book list or visit the PA Promise for Children website to find more activities.
We are learning Social and Emotional Development
Do it!
Go outside one night with your kindergartner to look at the stars. Talk about what can be seen. If you can't see the stars, discuss what might prevent you from seeing them (like clouds in the sky or bright city lights). Find children's books in the library that explain astronomy. If your kindergartner's vision is limited, find star books in braille and that glow in the dark, so they can touch the stars. Make a star book using stickers and construction paper, so they can touch the stars.
Read it!
Stars by Mary Lyn Ray. Papa, Please Get The Moon for Me by Eric Carle.
We are learning Language and Literacy
Do it!
Look through books and magazines to find words that rhyme. For extra practice developing these skills, talk in rhyme to your kindergartner. For example, "I see that cat is on the mat and needs a hat." Once your kindergartner is able to recognize words that rhyme, ask them to produce a third word that follows the rhyme. Find picture books or nursery rhymes that include rhyming words. Create your own picture book with braille or written words next to the picture. Play hand clapping games like Pat-a-Cake and Miss-Mary-Mack or sing songs that have rhyming words with action words like "I'm a Little Teapot."
Read it!
Pizza, Pigs and Poetry by Jack Prelutsky. Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino.
We are learning Social and Emotional Development
Do it!
Have your kindergartner draw a picture of themself. Write a sentence of what they like about themself. Bring out a mirror so your kindergartner can look at their facial features, point out two eyes, one mouth, etc. Show how you would draw yourself to give them clues on where to start. Talk about colors and shapes while you're drawing. For children still developing writing skills, another idea is use pre-cut shapes your child assembles into an image.
Read it!
Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch. Elmer by David McKee.
We are learning Language and Literacy
Do it!
Go to the library where you and your kindergartner can each pick out a book to read. Which book is the funniest? Which has the best pictures? Which book is the favorite? Ask the librarian -- they might have resources like large magnifiers, larger print, braille books and books on tape. For emerging readers, wordless picture books make reading the story fun and less intimidating. Have your kindergartner look for pictures, words or numbers that guide your kindergartner's favorite things.
Read it!
Fooling Ewe by Mike Demers. Fishing in Potato Salad by Othen Donald Dale Cummings.
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