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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!
The South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines is a resource for teachers and families intended to be a guide for teaching. Black Hills READS will now be listing Domain and Goals for the activities provided. For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo.
Infant Corner
Activities for children under 1
Development

Check out the following ideas to introduce picture books to your little one.
Foundations of Reading Gaol CLL-4
Babies have limited vision in their first few months but they are tuned in to contrasts between light and dark. At bedtime or naptime, slowly move a flashlight beam across the wall or ceiling of your baby’s room. See if she can follow it with her eyes. As she grows, she will get better and better at following the moving beam—this skill is called “visual tracking.”
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
Play

Cornstarch and water makes an interesting substance. Your bathtub can be a great place for this messy play.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

This brief video will demonstrate how infants and learn through trying out their ideas, using their thinking and physical abilities to solve difficult problems. Watch how the caregivers role enhances this learning.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2
Busy Toddlers
Activities for children 1-3
Physical/Outdoor

Toddlers love to jump. Set up a jumping activity.
Motor Development HPD-4

To set up your own super simple fine motor activity, grab a bunch of clothespins and basket.  Link to Activity Here
Motor Development CLL-5
Science/Sensory

Combine art and science in this fun and easy activity for kids using baking soda and vinegar. 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Rice Krispies can make a great sensory bin. They snap, crackle and pop!
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math
Create a simple flannel story for the book "Growing Vegetable Soup" by Lois Ehlert. Draw or cut out a picture of each item from the story, laminate and place velcro on the back. Hand out the pieces, one to each child. As you read each part, the child places their piece on the flannel board! Link to Story Here
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-5

5-A-Day Count this Way! Provide real fruits and vegetables. Work on one-to-one correspondence by counting out 5 from the group of foods provided. We all need 5 fruits and vegetables a day to stay healthy!
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal-4
Social Emotional

Read Tucker Turtle Takes Time to Tuck and Think with your child. Help your child learn some of the techniques to calm down. Works at home and school.

Add this Tucker Turtle song and fingerplay to encourage your child's skill's.
Self- Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-5

Play some music, and have children pass a teddy bear from one to the other while the music is on. Turn off the music from time to time. When the music stops the child holding the teddy bear can do something special, like jump up and down.
Developing Relationships Goal SED-3
Hands-On Preschoolers
Activities for children 4-5
Physical/Outdoor

November is a great time to talk about food and nutrition with your preschoolers. Introduce the Food Pyramid with these hands on activities.
Health and Physical Development Goal HPD-1
Get kids moving and practice 1-1 correspondence with a Shopping Obstacle Course.
Health and Physical Development Goal HPD-4
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4
Science/Sensory
Learn how to make butter in minutes with this amazing and simple science activity. 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Check out the following video for 3 easy food related science experiences you can do at home or school.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math
A great way to start a theme is with a good book. For food themes use 'Oliver's Vegetables' by Vivian French. Use it to spark a discussion about the foods they like and ones that they don't. It will also give the opportunity to talk about where vegetables come from.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-5

Learn various math concepts about volume using ice cubes.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal-6 & Goal-7
Creative Arts

Use veggies for vegetable printmaking that will be a mega hit for preschoolers to older kids. 
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

It is fun for preschoolers to explore painting with things other than paintbrushes. Why not try painting with broccoli?!
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12