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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!
Click Here for Info on Safe Holidays
This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and our communities healthy and safe.
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

A baby can have a conversation with himself or herself. Tape baby’s sounds and play them back. Watch how baby reacts. The tape also provides a record of a baby’s first sounds.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Lap games introduce infants to the exciting world of interactions with others and develop language skills.
Communication 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. 
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-3
Science/Sensory

Add pom poms and water to a bin for toddler sensory fun.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Make an easy DIY scale and let your toddler explore comparing which objects are heavier.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math

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

Use math in everyday life. When you go out, count all the shoes that go out -one, two three, four. You can also count the shoes that stay home!
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4
Social Emotional
Books are a great way to teach social skills. "Mouse Was Mad" follows a young mouse through the forest as he searches for the perfect way to show that he is feeling mad.


Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-5
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.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-3
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

Create a simple Science Area using a variety of corn, pumpkins and feathers. Sprout popcorn in a baggie to encourage your budding scientists.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Literacy/Math
This Feed the Turkey Sight Words game takes some time setting up but once done will keep preschoolers interested and constantly learning.
Foundations of Reading Goal CLL-6

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.

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