The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer:  www.nassauboces.org/rtac

Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Registration: Free, but registration is required

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Registration: Free, but registration is required

Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Registration: Free, but registration is required

Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Registration: Free, but registration is required

Renie and Hynes-Berry suggest a clothes toss, in which you have separate baskets for light and dark colors. “Let everyone take turns tossing an item from the pile of dirty clothes into the correct basket,” they say. “You might do this as a kind of beanbag game-you get two points for tossing an item into the correct basket; only one point if it doesn’t quite make it into the basket.”

Laundry also presents many learning opportunities when it comes to matching. Young children will enjoy finding and creating piles of clothing. It is a win-win for everyone if they can match up all of your socks! “Chat about the math, noticing and asking them about how they make a match.” Older children can even match types of clothing, like pajamas or school clothes.

Children enjoy folding and piling flat items like towels or linens. Lining up the corners allows them to enhance their skills with symmetry. The article includes a video that demonstrates an excellent conversation about shapes, colors and fractions.

Renie and Hynes-Berry note that helping children to make and explain predictions as you do laundry can be beneficial. For example, have them predict which basket will have the most items in the end, and then talk about the results.

There are a variety of methods by which children can make comparisons while doing laundry. Count how many items are going in particular baskets. You may discuss which pile has the most, which is the tallest, or why there are more shirts than there are jeans. Afterwards, you might use the results to make a prediction about what will happen on the next laundry day!

It’s no song in particular that is special-it’s simply the act of singing that is transformative. According to an article by Deborah Farmer Kris in PBS Kids, song is childrens’ very first language, and it helps children connect with other human beings.

1.   Sing to build connection. Children don’t care if you can carry a tune. Because you are singing, they learn that you are a safe person. “There’s a reason we instinctively use sing-song sounds with young children,” she says. “Before they learn speech, they learn sounds – and melody is highly appealing to young children.” Engaging opening songs, such as “Five Little Monkeys” and “Where is Thumbkin” grab childrens’ attention and help to build a sense of togetherness. Songs also help get the wiggles out and create memories!

2.   Sing to support brain development. “Music builds attention, working memory, and language development,” says Farmer Kris. It acts as an incredible motivator while being emotionally satisfying- both key components to learning. Rhythm is also directly linked with learning how to read. According to Farmer Kris, children who struggle with keeping a beat are more likely to have reading challenges. “When we sing to our kids, their brain is exposed to sounds, rhythms, and rhymes that are building blocks of reading.”

3.   Sing to teach routines and skills. If you were asked to recite the alphabet, wouldn’t you sing it? Maybe you even learned to list the fifty states through a song. Songs are memorable, and children are still developing their executive function skills, including memory, so setting a routine to music makes it easier to remember them. 

“The Little Ouch,” by Katherine Picarde. In this relatable story, Penelope does not want to get her flu shot. It scares her and makes her nervous, queasy, sick and sweaty. Children will find out how she overcomes her fears.

“Sofia and the Shot,” by Sarah Wilson. Five-year-old Sofia worries about the shot she is getting the next day. When she falls asleep she finds herself on an adventure with Mr. Whiskers, who teaches her about the history and importance of vaccines.

“The Shots Book: A Little Brother’s Superhero Tale,” by Ethan Posard. This is a fun book for children written by a 17 year-old who wants to empower children and make doctors visits easier.

“Dr. Ridiculopickulopot and the Shot,” by Doc Zavod. The title of this book will make children laugh before they even open it! Dr. R. is clumsy and loveable, going through his day stumbling over shoes while treating his patients. Through humor and some fun mishaps, he teaches how doctors can empathize with their patients, and that vaccinations are important. 

The LI Regional Partnership Center & Family and Community Engagement Centers present this Professional Learning Community made up of CPSE chairpersons, members of the Departments of Health, the Long Island Regional Partnership Center, the Long Island Family and Community Engagement Center and others who are committed to enhancing or improving their professional practice. Members of the circle come together on a monthly basis to discuss a common goal, need, interest, or question.

The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education.