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News for Black Hills Early Learners
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
 
Sensory and motor development is the gradual process by which a child gains use and coordination of the large muscles of the legs, trunk, and arms, and the smaller muscles of the hands. A baby begins to experience new awareness through sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Baby sign language can be an effective communication tool. Teaching and practicing baby sign language also can be fun and give you and your child an opportunity to bond.
Communication and Oral Language Goal CLL-1
Play

Create a variety of sensory bottles for your infant to explore.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Baby sign language is an awesome tool to use before baby can say words. Follow the step-by-step guide below, which includes a visual cheat sheet, to teach it to your baby.
Communication and Oral Language Goal CLL-1
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor

Play Friendship Beanbag Toss with toddlers. Toss a beanbag from hand to hand and sing the following song:
I have a good friend,
a good friend, a good friend,
I have a good friend and his/her name is ________.
Then, toss the beanbag to the child who was named. Have the child toss it back. Repeat until every child has had their name called.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
A 100 colored straws, a cheese grater, plastic bowl with holes in the bottom, netting fruit bag and a plastic pot that you cut a few holes in the lid and you've created an engaging fine motor activity.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory

Scratch-and-sniff painting appeals to kids’ visual, tactile, and olfactory (smell) senses. Choose a few flavors of Jell-O. Use a different plastic cup for each color. Mix 1 tablespoon of white glue, 1 tablespoon of water and 1 teaspoon of Jell-O powder in each cup. (The glue helps the gelatin granules stick.)
Give your child a few paintbrushes and cardboard or heavy paper to paint on. Once the painting dry, kids can rub their fingertip over the page to reactivate the smell.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2

Mirror play, light, and reflection are always fun with a toddler. Set out a shatterproof mirror (supervised) flat on the ground and let them add small toys to it or even build with small foam blocks.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
Literacy/Math

Make a simple memory matching alphabet game. As children get more advanced you can match upper and lower case letters.
Foundations for Reading Goal CLL-6

Here is a simple to make number matching activity that toddlers can do at home or in the classroom. Great for developing number recognition and matching skills. 
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4
Social Emotional

Link below to instruction for a fun hands-on activity based on the book Leonardo the Terrible Monster. The article shares strategies you can use to help kids talk about the qualities of a friend. 
Developing Relationships Goal SED-3

Whether you are a parent or a caregiver, reading provides a wonderful opportunity for you and your child(ren) to connect. It’s a nice way to spend time together and slow down during an otherwise hectic day.
Developing Relationships Goal SED-3
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

Here is a simple movement activity to encourage teamwork. Have children partner in pairs and skip across the yard (or room) holding hands. Continue with other movements, such as, running, hopping, marching, etc.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Playdough is a fun fine motor activity with all that pinching, squeezing and poking. Try added a sensory experience by making an herbal playdough.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Science/Sensory

The reaction between the hydrogen peroxide and the yeast makes for an awesome foam that is perfectly safe for little hands to play with and a breeze to clean up.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
This is the time of year you can find Heart conversation candies at the store. Add literacy to science and read what they say as you use them to experiment making them dance in liquid.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math

Once children have been introduced to a letter/initial sound create this game for them to practice this new skill.
Foundations for Reading Goal CLL-7

Most kids love playing with water so measuring volume can be quite fun. Use measuring cups to help kids visualize and answer questions about volume measurements. Ask, "I wonder how many cups of water would fit in your water table?" or, "I wonder how many tablespoons of water would fit in your cup?" Simply pose the question out loud and watch them explore the concept.
Mathematical Thinking And Expression Goal CD-6
Creative Arts

I debated sharing this activity even though I liked the idea but had one concern. Then I decided to share but explain what I like about the activity and my concern and you can decide! First of all, I like the activity below because it is perfect to pair with the book Penguin and Pinecone a Friendship Story. Secondly, we have an abundance of pinecones in our area and they are an interesting sensory experience to paint on. My concern is with the use of glitter and it's effects on our environment. So I have provided a link here to find some ideas for alternatives to glitter.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

In this process art activity children need to work collaboratively to create art with sensory balls.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12