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 holidays are typically a time when families from near and far come together to celebrate. This year may look a little different but you can still make Holiday memories even from a distance. Click on Wreath for ideas for your family.
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 development of the brain is influenced by many factors, including a child’s relationships, experiences and environment. In the video below learn more about the crucial role you play in building your baby’s brain and find some fun “brain-building” activities to share with your little one.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Temperament describes a child’s personal “style” – the way he or she experiences the world. Understanding your child's temperament can help you better understand why he acts the way he does.
Developing a Positive Sense of Self Goal SED-1
Play

Build trust. Pick up and hold your baby in your most loving way. Talk and smile to her, and show her that she can trust you and others in the future. The feeling of being loved helps develop your baby’s brain.
Developing Relationships Goal SED-2

Another simple strategy to boost your babies brain is to use bright colored small objects such as pom-poms or cuddly toys. Get your baby’s attention by holding the object around a foot above her face. Slowly move the toy from side to side. Slowly lift the object up and down so she can see it moving from near to far. 
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor

The objective of this simple obstacle course is to traverse the course without ringing the bells attached to each of the obstacles.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

Have you ever made Pomanders as a child? This traditional activity involves creating an orange spiked with cloves. It is a wonderful activity for building fine motor skills, and it smells incredible! For a fun game, provide each family member with an orange and the same number of cloves, then race to see who can spike their pomander the fastest!
Motor Development HPD-5
Science/Sensory


Simply put a whole bunch of items you would use for a New Year‘s party in a box, and watch your toddler spend time exploring everything, carrying items around, and just having a blast. Always stay close and supervise activity.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

A twist on the soda and vinegar experiment to give it a New Year touch.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math

Here are some songs to teach your toddlers for the New Year.
Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1

Put the numbers 2-0-2-1 on plates and let your toddlers decorate to get ready for the New Year.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-1
Social Emotional

Here are some great strategies to help kids calm down during stressful times.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-4
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.
Developing Relationships Goal SED 2 & SED 3
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

How about a little New Year Freeze game. Give each child a noise maker. Play some upbeat music. Have the children dance and play there noise makers while the music is on. When the music stops, the children freeze and yell "Happy New Year."
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Make your own confetti and strengthen muscles in the hands to prep for writing skills.
Motor Development HPD-5
Science/Sensory
If you love sparkles and love slime this Confetti Slime is a great New Years activity.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

The Holidays are the perfect opportunity to do a holiday senses detective challenge. Be it peppermint, nutmeg, pine needles, or cinnamon, Holiday time is a wonderland of aromas.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Literacy/Math
Here is a fun way to look back at 2020. A scavenger hunt is the first half of the activity. Talking about the memories and putting them in chronological order is the other half. 
Foundation for Reading Goal -CLL-5

Make a countdown to the end of 2020 clock and ring in the New Year!
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-6
Creative Arts

Add some DIY safe Sparklers to your family New Year party.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

Painting with string creates unique artwork.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12