Fun for Black Hills Early Learners

We are here to bring you fun activities for any child age 0-5 years. 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

FUN ACTIVITIES Infants Soft and shimmery, light and flaky, this baby-safe cloud dough is made with just two ingredients (whole-grain rice cereal and coconut oil) and is safe for little ones to get in their hands, hair and even mouths. Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8 Growing up I was always told to not play with my food. But oh what fun to dye noodles and let babies explore the rainbow of colors. Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Toddlers Start by grating 3 bars of Ivory Soap to make a clean mud sensory experience. In a bowl mix the grated soap, 1 roll of toilet paper and some warm water. Keep mixing until it forms the consistency of mashed potatoes! You can store it in airtight container and reconstitute it with more water. Dispose of Clean Mud in the trashcan not the drain! Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8 Cut the center out a paper plate. Then have children glue on nature items that they have found outside. They can embellish their wreaths with glitter and ribbon and other odds and ends. Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Shower curtains can make a large and interesting paint surface for toddlers. Link to Activity Here Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12 Preschoolers Painting with marshmallows is the perfect process art activity to try during a preschool camping theme. Link to Activity Here Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12 Cut stone shapes out of gray construction paper. Write the numbers 1-10 on the stones. Use masking tape to define a river on the floor. Place the stones in random order inside the river. Place the number 1 stone on one side of the river and the number 10 stone at the opposide side. Encourage children to jump from stone to stone in the correct order counting out loud as they cross the river. Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4 One of the best parts of camping is looking at all the stars in the night sky. Add this fun process art actvity to explore the stars and your child's creativity. Link to Activity Here Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12 ‌

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OUTDOOR FUN Infants It only takes a small bit of water for baby to make a big splash, Link to Activity Here Scienfitic Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8 This actvity for your infant could not be more simple. Lay a colorful beach towel down outside and place baby on their tummy. Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1 Toddlers As you walk outside, say silly things to do for your toddler, such as: Take two big steps and three little steps. Take three hops and then take a big steps. Pick up and throw a leaf in the air. Walk two steps backwards. Hop on one leg, etc. Motor Development Goal HPD-4 My grandson and I did this activity last summer. Sure to bring on the giggles watching the creation of the bubble snake. Link to Activity Here Scientific Explroation and Knowledge Goal CD-8 Nature Goop puts a fun, outdoorsy twist on our traditional 2-ingredient Oobleck recipe. Kids can explore flowers and leaves from the garden while getting in a good dose of magical sensory play.  Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Gaol CD-8 Preschoolers Make your own binoculars and go outside and look through them to find various objects. Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2 Instead of potato sack races, use sleeping bags to have kids race to the finish line. Motor Development Goal HPD-4 This simple art project will wow your kids and show them just how important proper sun protection can be.  Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Gaol CD-9

EVERYDAY MOMENTS Infants 5000- that’s the average number of times a baby will have their diaper changed in the early years.  Each diaper change takes an average of 5 minutes per change, times 10 a day with your tiny one or about 8 with your older baby, that’s nearly an hour a day just changing diapers! The article below shares how to make those times a learning experience. Link to Article Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD1 Toddlers In the short video below a Family child care provider describes the opportunities that daily experiences provide for supporting young children’s development in all areas. She explains that learning can be achieved with every day objects in the home and through asking questions and engaging children in conversations. Link to Video Here Communication and oral Language Development Goal CLL-1 Preschoolers The article below shares why developing young children’s self-regulation through everyday experiences is so important to your child's sucess in school and life. Link to Artcle Here Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-4

LITERACY Infants Using a soft ball, toss or roll the ball back and forth between you and your child while reciting the alphabet. This activity grows with your child as you can begin singing the song even with a small infant and work up to alternating letters with your toddler. Foundations for Reading Goal CLL-8 Learning to read and write doesn't start in kindegarten. Developing language and literacy skills begins at birth through everyday loving interactions, such as sharing books, telling stories, singing songs and talking to one another. The video below describes how adultls through play provide an important role in preparing young children for future school success and helping them become self-confident and motivated learners. Link to Video Here Communicating and Oral Language Development Coal CLL-3 Toddlers Toddlers love Pete the Cat books. Enjoy "Pete the Cat Goes Camping". Link to Read Aloud Here Foundations of Reading Goal CLL-5 Create a camping themed flannel story and sing the Campfire Pokey! Link to Activity Here Foundations of Reading Goal CLL-4 Too hot to play outside? This Alphabet Pillow Jumping activity is a great way to get energy out when little kids are stuck indoors and do some learning at the same time. Link to Activity Here Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8 Preschoolers Read and sing along "Going on a Bear Hunt" with Dr. Jean. Turn off the lights and get out your flashlights. Link to "Going on a Bear Hunt" Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3 Get creative and create camping themed story rocks. Link to Activity Here Commnication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1 Camping theme vocabulary words: camping, firewood, fishing, tent, flashlight, rowboart, pedal boat, life jacket, lake, campfire. Open-ended questions for discussion: Have you ever gone camping? What do we do when we go camping? Where do we sleep? How can we protect ourselves from the sun and from insects? What type of insects can bite us? What types of food do we eat when we go camping? What kinds of animals might we see? Commnication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1