News for Black Hills Early Learners

Early Childhood Connections is a weekly contributor to Early Learning Activities

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 Developmental Milestones for 6-9 Month Old Babies: Eats solid foods Sits unassisted Begins to crawl Uses pincer grip (index finger and thumb) to pick up small objects Transfers an object between hands Babbles with combined syllables May use gestures or sounds to express needs Understands object permanence Drops things intentionally to explore effects Recognizes familiar people May begin to experience stranger anxiety  Play Auditory Peek-a-Boo is a fun twist on peekaboo. Move out of your baby’s visual range such as behind your baby. Call out, “Where’s Mommy” or “Where’s (whoever you are)” and wait for your baby to turn and find you. Acknowledge she found you and move to a different location and play again. Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2 Soon your baby will verbalize a few words. ‘Hi’ and ‘bye’ are a few common first words. Increase your child’s exposure to these words by popping in and saying “Hi!” then leaving and saying “Bye!” It’s like a verbal peekaboo! Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1

Busy Toddlers Activities for children 1-3

Physical/Outdoor The classic hula hoop is such an inexpensive and great motor activity tool. Toddlers usually can't use a hula hoop as intended but here are several hula hoop games, suitable for toddlers on up. Link to Activity Here Motor Development Goal HPD-4 Take your child's scissor practice outside to use nature to develop cutting skills. Link to Activity Here Motor Development Goal HPD-5 Science/Sensory This color changing volcano eruption for kids takes an easy baking soda and vinegar volcano to the next level! Link to Article Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9 Sensory experiences with creative art materials can be messy and chaotic. if you’ve avoided toddler art projects all together because of the mess they make, this Bath Tub Art Studio is for you! Link to Activity Here Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Literacy/Math 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 of Reading Goal CLL-6 Practice counting and strengthen fine motor skills using a hole punch and construction paper. Link to Activity Here Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4 Social Emotional An important part of social-emotional development is the ability to recognize, understand and respond to appropriate boundaries and behavioral expectations. Helping children to listen carefully to instructions and change their behavior in response to this will improve their social-emotional skills as well as listening, attention and focus Link Here to 17 Simple listening Activities Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-4

Hands-On Preschoolers Activities for children 4-5

Physical/Outdoor Switch up yoga practice with Farm Themed poses. Link to Video Practice Here Motor Development Goal HPD-4 This fun Milking a Cow activity is perfect way to use fine motor skills to go along with a farm or animal theme in a preschool classroom or at home! Link to Activity Here Motor Development Goal HPD-4

Science/Sensory Learn about how seeds germinate and grow with this easy plant activity. Great for a plant theme for spring, at home or in the classroom.   Link to Activity Here Link to Video Peep and the Big Wide World: Peep Plants a Seed Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8 Let’s head outside and learn how leaves breath in this simple spring stem activity. Head outdoors, grab some fresh leaves and be prepared to see some fun breathing from leaves. Link to Activity Here Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

Literacy/Math This ball theme alphabet activity is fun way to practice identifying letter sounds while kicking a ball. Kids will love the chance to move and learn! Link to Activity Here Foundations of Reading Goal CLL-6 You only need two players but this dice game is great for groups and large families because any number of players can join in. Since it is a game of chance, no strategic skills are necessary, but children have the opportunity to practice their addition skills, and learn about probability. Link to Activity Here Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-7

Creative Arts Repurpose a lint roller to create tractor track prints for a fun art project for kids! Link to Activity Here Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12 Turn an open-ended coffee filter art activity into a tulip suncatcher to adorn your windows. Link to Activity Here Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12