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!
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
New parents often get advice on how to get their baby to sleep. This article shares what the research tells us.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-4

Taking time in your daily routine to connect with your child supports their learning and encourages curiosity. As you change your child's diaper, make different sounds for each part of their face. Touch their nose and say, "Your nose says 'beep!'" or say, "Here's your chin. Pop!" and touch their chin. Encourage them to make the sounds with you.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Play

Lap games introduce infants to the exciting world of interactions with others and develop language skills.
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1

This Little Piggie is a great activity for connecting with your baby and developing language. Change the words up a little and add beginning math concepts as well.
Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor

Practice kicking with your toddler using a balloon.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-2
For very young toddlers, practicing their pinching skills is a great start to strengthening fine motor skills. 
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory

Freeze some autumn leaves, pinecones, etc in water and then set it out on a table with droppers and beakers with warm and cold water. Also set out some salt and explore what happens.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Make an easy DIY scale and let your toddler explore comparing which objects are heavier.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning CD-1
Literacy/Math

Combine a sensory activity and literacy using flour on a tray.
Foundations of Writing Goal CLL-9

Toddlers learn best while they are on the move so they’ll love this activity to learn about measuring distance. Have children stand on a starting line and jump forward as far as they can, marking their landing spot with tape (or sidewalk chalk if you’re outside). Use a measuring tape or yardstick to measure the distance, then see if they can beat it!
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-6
Social Emotional
Thankfulness and gratitude are hard concepts to understand for young children. Most toddlers and preschoolers don’t have the emotional ability to understand gratitude yet. They may have difficulty grasping the concept of being thankful for someone or something. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t start teaching them how to be thankful! Below find link to tips for teaching toddlers and preschoolers thankfulness in a way that makes it easy for them to understand.
Developing A Positive Sense of Self Goal SED-1
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

Here are some great ways to get active after a large meal!
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-2
Practice cutting with scissors using straws. You can then string them on yarn for more fine motor practice.
Motor Development HPD-5
Science/Sensory
Create a treat for the birds and then watch and use as a Science and possibly even a math activity.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

Take advantage of all the falling leaves. Invite your children to make prints of the leaves on playdough.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
Literacy/Math
A simple way to make books with preschoolers. Let them take the lead to create their books.
Foundations of Reading Goal CLL-4

Set up a a simple measurement center either in school or in your home.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-6
Creative Arts

A still life is a picture of objects, such as fruit, food, flowers, dishes, books, or musical instruments, usually grouped on a flat surface. Create a still life and encourage your child to paint or draw.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-13

Encourage children to explore the medium of watercolors through process-based creating with doilies and watercolors.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12