IrvingtonPublicSchools
OfficeofEarlyChildhood
PreschoolHomeSchoolInstructionActivities
ExtendedLearningPlan
Dr.AprilVauss,InterimSuperintendent
TawanaMoreland,DirectorLiaSkibniewski,Supervisor
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Irvington Public Schools The Office of Early Childhood
97 Augusta Street, Second Floor, Suite 219, Irvington, New Jersey 07111 Phone: 973-399-3942 EXT. 1512/ Fax: 973-399-7692
Tawana Moreland, Director Lia Skibniewski, Supervisor
DearParentsandFamilies,TheHomeSchoolInstructionActivitiesaredesignedtomakelearningafunandenjoyableexperienceforyouandyourchild.IncludedintheHomeSchoolInstructionActivitiesisadailycalendarwiththreeactivitychoicesforyoutochoosefrom.Theactivitychoicesareexplainedindetailonpages10-62.Alsoincludedinthepacketisacollectionofresourcesonpages63-87tousewithyourchildtoenhancetheirlearningexperiences.Weencourageyoutochooseoneoftheactivitychoiceseachdaytocompletewithyourchild.Wehopethatyouhaveafunandenjoyableexperiencecompletingtheactivitieswithyourchild.
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Day1 Day2 Day3 Day4 Day5Choice # 1
Activity # 51 Literacy
PoppingPopcorn
Choice # 1
Activity # 52 Literacy
SameSoundSort/LetterSounds
Choice # 1
Activity#71Math
TheImaginaryBall
Choice # 1
Activity # 53 Literacy
StickLetters
Choice # 1
Activity # 54 Literacy
BedtimeBooks
Choice#2
Activity#72Math
WashDay
Choice#2
Activity # 73 Math
MakingtheMostofRoutines
Choice#2
Activity#101Social-Emotional
Mirror,Mirror
Choice#2
Activity#74Math
Bridge&Tunnel
Choice#2
Activity # 75 Math
Traffic Jam
Choice#3
Activity#102Social-Emotional
CharacterFeelings
Choice#3
Activity#76Math
ThisWayorThatWay?
Choice#3
Activity#55Literacy
The Name Game
Letter Names
Choice#3
Activity#89Physical
PictureCards
Choice#3
Activity#103Social-Emotional
FamilyPhotoAlbum
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Day6 Day7 Day8 Day9 Day10Choice # 1
Activity#56Literacy
RiddleDeeDee
Choice # 1
Activity # 57 Literacy
DramaticStoryRetelling
Choice # 1
Activity#77Math
BusyBees
Choice # 1
Activity # 58 Literacy
Willy’sWeek
Choice # 1
Activity#59Literacy
PantryLabels
Choice#2
Activity # 78 Math
ActionCounting
Choice#2
Activity#79Math
My Shadow and Me
Choice#2
Activity#80Math
Whatsize?Tallying
Choice#2
Activity # 81 Math
MissingLids
Choice#2
Activity # 82 Math
TellingItAgain
Choice#3
Activity#60Literacy
HowlingattheMoon
Choice#3
Activity#90Physical
FreezeDance
Choice#3
Activity # 61 Literacy
RhymingChart
Choice#3
Activity#Social-Emotional
FamilyFun
Choice#3
Activity#Physical&Social-
Emotional
FollowtheLeader
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Day11 Day12 Day13 Day14 Day15Choice # 1
Activity#83Math
Compare&Contrast
Choice # 1
Activity # 62 Literacy Mealtime
Choice # 1
Activity # 84 Math
LineUp
Choice # 1
Activity#85Math
DoestheShoeFit?
Choice # 1
Activity#63Literacy
“AllAboutMe”Books
Choice#2
Activity#91Physical
WhatWasForBreakfast
Choice#2
Activity # 86 Math
VeggieLineup
Choice#2
Activity # 87 Math
WordProblems
Choice#2
Activity#64Literacy
FeedMe
Choice#2
Activity#88Math
HaveFunMakingNumerals
Choice#3
Activity#72Math
WashDay
Choice#3
Activity # 65 Literacy
My Journal
Choice#3
Activity#66Literacy
Memory Games
Choice#3
Activity#92Physical
OneMoreStep
Choice#3
Activity#68Literacy
LetterWalk
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Day16 Day17 Day18 Day19 Day20
Choice # 1
Activity # 69 Literacy
FamiliarPrint
Choice # 1
Activity # 70 Literacy
DailyWriting
Choice # 1
Activity#71Math
TheImaginaryBall
Choice # 1
Activity # 51 Literacy
PoppingPopcorn
Choice # 1
Activity # 52 Literacy
SameSoundSort/LetterSounds
Choice#2
Activity # 73 Math
MakingtheMostofRoutines
Choice#2
Activity#74Math
Bridge&Tunnel
Choice#2
Activity#93Physical
OutdoorPlay
Choice#2
Activity # 75 Math
Traffic Jam
Choice#2
Activity#76Math
ThisWayorThatWay?
Choice#3
Activity#101Social-Emotional
Mirror,Mirror
Choice#3
Activity#77Math
BusyBees
Choice#3
Activity # 53 Literacy
StickLetters
Choice#3
Activity#94Physical
MyClothesToday
Choice#3
Activity#102Social-Emotional
CharacterFeelings
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Day21 Day22 Day23 Day24 Day25
Choice # 1
Activity # 54 Literacy
BedtimeBooks
Choice # 1
Activity#55Literacy
The Name Game
Letter Names
Choice # 1
Activity # 78 Math
ActionCounting
Choice # 1
Activity#56Literacy
RiddleDeeDee
Choice # 1
Activity # 57 Literacy
DramaticStoryRetelling
Choice#2
Activity#79Math
My Shadow and Me
Choice#2
Activity#80Math
Whatsize?Tallying
Choice#2
Activity # 81 Math
MissingLids
Choice#2
Activity # 82 Math
TellingItAgain
Choice#2
Activity#83Math
Compare&Contrast
Choice#3
Activity # 58 Literacy
Willy’sWeek
Choice#3
Activity#95Physical
GettingDressed
Choice#3
Activity#59Literacy
PantryLabels
Choice#3
Activity#102Social-Emotional
CharacterFeelings
Choice#3
Activity#96Physical
lLet’sDesignanObstacleCourse
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Day26 Day27 Day28 Day29 Day30
Choice # 1
Activity # 86 Math
VeggieLineup
Choice # 1
Activity#60Literacy
HowlingattheMoon
Choice # 1
Activity # 84 Math
LineUp
Choice # 1
Activity#85Math
DoestheShoeFit?
Choice # 1
Activity # 61 Literacy
RhymingChart
Choice#2
Activity#Physical
ObstacleCourseChallenge
Choice#2
Activity # 87 Math
WordProblems
Choice#2
Activity#88Math
HaveFunMakingNumerals
Choice#2
Activity # 62 Literacy Mealtime
Choice#2
Activity#71Math
TheImaginaryBall
Choice#3
Activity#74Math
Bridge&Tunnel
Choice#3
Activity # 65 Literacy
My Journal
Choice#3
Activity#66Literacy
Memory Games
Choice#3
Activity#98Physical
Dance&Remember
Choice#3
Activity#67Literacy
TapIt,ClapIt,
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Day31 Day32 Day33 Day34 Day35
Choice # 1
Activity#68Literacy
LetterWalk
Choice # 1
Activity # 69 Literacy
FamiliarPrint
Choice # 1
Activity # 75 Math
Traffic Jam
Choice # 1
Activity # 70 Literacy
DailyWriting
Choice # 1
Activity # 52 Literacy
SameSoundSort/LetterSounds
Choice#2
Activity # 78 Math
ActionCounting
Choice#2
Activity # 87 Math
WordProblems
Choice#2
Activity#99Physical
WonderfulWarm-
Ups
Choice#2
Activity # 86 Math
VeggieLineup
Choice#2
Activity#80Math
Whatsize?Tallying
Choice#3
Activity#105Social-Emotional
FollowtheLeader
Choice#3
Activity#86Math
VeggieLineup
Choice#3
Activity#51Literacy
PoppingPopcorn
Choice#3
Activity#100Physical
BallinaBucket
Choice#3
Activity#89Physical
PictureCards
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Literacy/LanguageActivitiesActivity#51PoppingPopcornWhatToDo:
1. ExplainthatyouandyourchildaregoingtomakeyourselvessosmalllikekernelsofunpoppedPopcorn.
2. Recitethefollowingchantandaskyourchildto“pop”upandsayPop!Ifheiswearingthecolororpatternyou
name.
Popcorn,popcorn,inapot,
Cookupniceandhot,hot,hot.
Kernelsarealmostreadytopop!
Popifyou’rewearing[green].
3. Letyourchildleadtheactivitybynamingcolorsorpatterns.
AnotherIdea:
Askthefollowingquestions:
● Whatarethefeaturesofourclothes?● Doallclothesfitthesame?
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● Askeveryoneinyourfamilytobringsomeoftheirclothesandputthemonthefloororcouch.● Haveaclothesswapandtryoneachother’sclothing!● Talkabouthowtheclothesfit!
Whatwordscanyourchildusetodescribehowtheclothesfit?Youmightofferwordslike–snug,tight,loose,baggy,etc.Activity#52SameSoundSort/LetterSoundsWhatToDo:
1. Withyourchild,gatherseveralobjectsinaboxorbag,includingsomethatstartwiththesamesound(sock,spoon,button,ball)andsomethatdonotstartwiththesamesound(ribbon,car,marker).
2. Askyourchildtonametheitemsinthebox,andtaketurnssortingtheobjectsthathavenamesthatbeginwiththesamesound.
3. Joinyourchildtolookaroundyourhomeforitemsthatmatchtheremainingobjects.4. Saythenameoftheobjectslowlytoemphasizethebeginninglettersounds.
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Activity#53StickLettersWhatToDo:
1. Gatheracollectionofcraftsticks,toothpicks,chopsticks,orsmallbranches(fromaneighborhoodwalk).2. Explainthatyouwillworktogetherandusethestickstomakeletters.3. Showhowtomakealetterwiththesticks.4. Talkaboutthelettersthataremadewithonlystraightlines.5. Writeorshowlettersforreference.6. Let’ssaythealphabettogetherandthinkabouttheshapeofeachletter.
AnotherIdea:
● Discussthedifferencebetweenformingupper-andlower-caseletters● Discussnamesstartingwithupper-caseletters.● Makecomparisonstothelowercaseletters?
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Activity#54BedtimeBooksWhatToDo:
1. Ifbooksarepartofyourbedtimeroutine,tonightswapplaceswithyourchild!2. Invitehimorhertoreadabooktoyou,usingthepicturestoguidethestory,oraskhimorhertotellyoua
bedtimestoryshecameupwithusingherimagination!3. Bookmarkfamily-friendlywebsitesandvideostowatchtogetherforchildrenwhoareinterestedinlearning
more.
Activity#55TheNameGame—LetterNamesWhatToDo:
1. Writethenameofeverypersoninyourfamilyonindividualindexcardsorstripsofpaper.2. Holdupyournamecardsandhidesomeletterswithyourfingers.3. Slowlyrevealtheletterssoyourchildcanguessthename:
Iuncoveredthefirstletterofthename.Doyouknowwhosenameitis?
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4. Asyourevealmoreletters,askquestionsaboutthelettersyourchildsees:Whatletterdoweseenext?Itmakesthe/r/sound.Yes!It’sGrandma!
5. Continuewiththerestofthenamecards.6. Considermakingnamecardsforotherfriendsandfamilymembersorevencharactersfromyourchild’s
favoritebooks!AnotherIdea:
● Reflectingontheday,whichread-aloudstrategywouldyouliketotrywithyourchild?Activity#56RiddleDeeDeeWhatToDo:
1. Chantthefollowingrhyme:Riddledeedee,riddledeedee.Canyoumakearhymewithme?Isay[ball],yousay[fall].[Ball],[fall],[mall],[gall].
2. Providethefirsttworhymingwordsandinviteyourchildtocontinuemakingrhymeswiththatword.
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3. Tryitagainwithanotherwordandtaketurnschoosingtherhymingwordsaslongasyourchildisinterested.4. Havefunwithnonsensicalwordsasyourhyme!Itdoesn’thavetobearealwordforachildtobuildontheir
rhymingskills.MakingtheMost!
Activity#57DramaticStoryRetellingWhatToDo:
1. Chooseastorythatisfamiliartoyourchildfromafavoritebook.2. Worktogethertogatherormakepropsrelatedtothestorytorepresenteachcharacter–paperbagpuppets,
drawingofcharacters,itemsfromthestory(atowelasLittleRedRidingHood’scape).3. Readortellthestoryandincludeaclearbeginning,middle,andend.4. Showhowtousethepropsasyouincludeeachcharacter.5. Askyourchildtoretellthestorytoyou.6. Remindhimorherthatstorytellersmustremembertoincludealltheinformationinthestory.7. Youcansay–Beforeyoustart,thinkabouttheimportantpartsofthestorythatyoudon’twanttoleaveout.
AnotherIdea:
● Inviteotherfamilymemberstolistenandofferreminderswhenyourchildneedshelp.
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● ReflectingontheDayDidyourchildhavefunusingthestorypropstoretellstories?● Whatotherstoriescouldyouaddpropsto?
Activity#58Willy’sWeekWhatToDo:
1. Inviteyourchildtoactoutthemovementsasyousingorchantthefollowingverse.OnSundays,Willy[stretches],OnMondays,Willy[marches]OnTuesdays,Willy[tiptoes],OnWednesdays,Willy[wiggles]OnThursdays,Willy[thinks],OnFridays,Willy[fallsdown],OnSaturday,Willy[sleeps]
2. Repeatusingdifferentactionwordsandencourageyourchildtojoinyouinsingingorchantingtogether!
Activity#59PantryLabelsWhatToDo:
1. Pullafewitemsoutofyourpantryandtaketurnseachpickinganitem.2. Askyourchildtodescribewhatheorshesees.3. Pointoutcolors,shapes,andletters.4. Emphasizethesoundsthatthelettersmake:
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You’repointingtothelargeTonthecarton.WhatsounddoestheTmake?It’sthefirstletterinthewordstomatoesandTomás.Thiscartonofcreamhasthewordfresh.Whatdoesitmeanifthecreamisfresh?
5. Countthenumberoflettersonthebrandandtalkaboutwhichbrandhasthemostandthefewestletters.
Activity#60HowlingattheMoonWhatToDo:
1. Tellyourchildthatheorsheisgoingtopretendtobeawolfinawolfpack.2. Recitethefollowingpoemtogether.
Duringtheday,thewolvesallplay.They[skip]and[slide]and[spin].Butlateatnightwhenthestarsarebright,thewolfpackhowlsatthemoon[howltogether].
3. Pointouthowtheactionwordsbeginwiththesamesound.4. Usedifferentactionswiththesamelettersound.
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Activity#61RhymingChartWhatToDo:
1. Writethefollowingpoemonasheetofpaper.Drawpicturesorsymbolstoillustrateit.Cobbler,cobbler,mendmyshoe.Getitdonebyhalfpasttwo.Stitchitup,andstitchitdown.Makethefinestshoesintown.
2. Readthepoemandexplainthatmendmeanstofixsomethingandthatacobblerisapersonwhomendsshoes.3. Inviteyourchildtolistenandchantitalongwithyou.4. Asyouread,emphasizethewordsthatrhyme.Pauseandencourageyourchildtofilltherhymingword.5. Overtime,returntotherhymeandusemarkersorcrayonstohighlighttherhymingwords.
Activity#62MealtimeWhatToDo:
1. Followingarecipeormealinstructionsisagreatwayforyourchildtohelpwithmealpreparation.
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2. Asyoureadarecipeorfollowtheinstructionsonameal,runyourfingeroverthetextandemphasizethesteps.
3. Youmightsay:First,weneedtopreheattheovento375degrees.CanyoucalloutthenumberssoIdon’tforget?Three,seven...what’snext?Second,weneedtopullofftheplasticcoverfromthetray.
Activity#63“AllAboutMe”BooksMaterials:Whitepaper;coloredconstructionpaper;glue;markersorcrayons;staplerorholepunchandyarn;photographsofyourchild(photoswithfriendsorrelatives,picturesfromafamilytriporspecialevent,etc.)WhyIt’sImportant:
● Engagingyourchildinbook-relatedactivitiesencouragesliteracydevelopment.● Evenbeforeachildcanread,theyenjoycreatingbooksandpretendingtoreadthem.● Makingbooksaboutyourselfgivesachildanopportunitytothinkaboutwhatmakeshimorheruniqueand
highlightimportanteventsintheirlife.● Writingaboutfamiliarexperiencesprovidesanengagingreasontowrite.
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WhatToDo:
1. Inviteyourchildtolookatthephotosandtalkaboutwhatheorshesees.2. Encouragehimorhertoidentifythepeople,activity,place,orevent.3. Explainthatheorshewillbemakingabookaboutherself.4. Workingtogether,makeablankbookwith2–4piecesofwhitepaperfoldedinsideapieceofconstruction
paper.5. Bindthebookwithstaplesalongthefold,orwithaholepunchandyarn.6. Askyourchildtochoosewhichpicturesheorshewantstoincludeinthebook.7. Allowhimorhertogluethephotosintothebookwhereshechooses.8. Afterthepicturesaregluedinthebook,promptyourchildtodescribethem.
Whatwereyoudoingthatday?Whowaswithusatthezoo?
9. Writehisorherwordsunderthepicturesinthebook.10. Inviteyourchildtolookatthebookwithyouasyoureadthewordsbacktohimorher.
Thispagesays,“IwenttoseetheparadewithmyNana.Myicecreamdrippedonmyshirt.”
11. Encouragehimorhertomakebooksaboutsubjectsthatinteresther(e.g.,dinosaurs,garbagetrucks,babyanimals,etc.).
12. Takepicturesforhimorhertouse,orsuggestthatheorsheaddtheirownillustrationstothebook.
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AnotherIdea:
● Toextendthisexperience,haveyourchildwritebooksabouttheirfriendsorfamilymembers.
Activity#64FeedMeMaterials:IngredientsforwhatyouaremakingwithyourchildWhyIt’sImportant:● Childrenenjoyguessinggamesasmuchastheyenjoysilly,nonsensicalwordsandrhymes.● Thisactivityprovidesanopportunitytodoboth.● Itpromotesyourchild’sdevelopmentofphonologicalawarenessasheorshefiguresoutwhatfooditemsyou
aretalkingabout.
WhatToDo:
1. Inviteyourchildtohelpyouprepareameal.2. Asyoudiscusswhatyouwillbemaking,createnonsensewordsbyreplacingoraddingtotheinitialsoundof
thewordwithadifferentlettersound.“We’regoingtomakemasghettiandspeatballsfordinner.”3. Letyourchildknowthattherearemanyingredientsformasghettiandspeatballs.
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4. Youwillneedhisorherhelptogetallofthem,butitmightbealittletrickybecauseyou’regoingtousesomesillywords.
5. Askyourchildtoguesstherealnameofeachingredientyousay.“Weneed•1bonion•Boxofwasta•1canofsomatotauce•Pinchofmalt•Preengepper”
AnotherIdea:
● Askyourchildifheorshecancomeupwithwordsforyoutoguess.● Atdinnergetotherfamilymemberstojoininthefun.
Activity#65
My Journal
1. Inviteyourchildtowriteordrawinhisorherjournalduringtheday.2. Explainthatthejournalistorecordthoughts,ideas,andobservations.3. Giveyourchildtimetothinkaboutwhatheorshewouldliketorecord.4. Askopen-endedquestions.5. Allowyourchildtoscribble,draw,orwritetorecordhisorherideas.Invitehimorhertousethejournalin
athoughtfulway.6. Askquestionsthatwillhelpyourchildthinkpurposefullyaboutwhatheorsheputsoneachpage.
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7. Inviteyourchildtouseuppercaseandlowercaseletterswhenwritinginhisorherjournal.Askthechildtoreadhisorherpagetoyouwhenheorsheisfinished.
Activity # 66
Memory Games
1. Inviteyourchildtoplayamemorygamewithyou.Lookatthepicturesonthecardsandtalkabouteachbeforebeginningthegame.
2. Seatyourchildnexttoyouandarrangethecardsfacedowntohidethepictures.Explainthatyouwilltaketurnsturningovertwocardstolookformatchingpictures.
3. Whenasetofmatchingcardsisfound,askyourchildtoidentifythepicturebeforeremovingthecardsfromthoseremaining.
4. Usetwosetsofmatchingcards(fourcardstotal)thataredistinctlydifferent,forexamplecarsandbutterflies,toplaythegame.Allowyourchildtowatchyouturnthecardsfacedown,andinvitehimorhertorememberwheretofindamatchingcard.Encouragehimorhertonametheobjectsonthecards.
5. Increasethenumberofcardsusedfromthreetofivepairs.Allowyourchildtolookatthepictureoneachcardandwatchyouturnthecardsfacedown.Promptyourchildtorememberwheretofindthematchingcardandexplaintheirmatches.
6. Useuptosixpairsofcardsforthegame.Turnthecardsfacedownwithoutthechildobserving.Invitehimorhertofindmatchingpairswithminimalprompting.Afterflippingthecards,haveyourchildexplainwhy
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theydoordonotmatch.7. Includesixtoeightpairsofcardswithsimilarpictures,forexamplepairsofshoes,typesoffruit,or
butterflies.Inviteyourchildtoexplainthesimilarityofallthecardsandofindividualmatches.
Anotheridea:
● Usemanysetsofmatchingcards.Encourageyourchildtodescribestrategiesheorsheusestorememberwherevariouscardsarethatheorshehasrecentlyuncovered.
Activity#67
TapIt,ClapIt,
WhatToDo:
1. Sayyourchild'snameandclapthesyllablestodemonstratehowtoseparatethewordintoparts.2. Next,inviteyourchildtochantalongwithyouasyouclaphisorhername.Placeanamecardonthetableand
chantthesongtogetherasyouclap.Chantandclapslowlysothatheorshecanhearthesegmentsoftheirname.
3. Inviteyourchildtorepeathisorhernameasyouclapittogether.4. Inviteyourchildtosayhisorhername.Introducetheconceptofsyllablesbysingingthesongandclapping,
usingyourchild'sname.Clapthesyllablesveryslowlysothatthechildcanclapalongwithyou.5. Inviteyourchildtochantthesongusingotherfamilymember’snames.Invitehimorhertoalsouseother
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familiarwords.6. Inviteyourchildtochooseawordandseparateitintosyllablesbeforechanting.Askyourchildtocombinethe
syllablesagainafterseparatingthem.7. Inviteyourchildtoremainsilentduringthefirstorlastsyllableasheorshechantsthesong.
Activity#68
LetterWalk
1. Showasetofalphabetcardstoyourchild.Explainthatyouwillmakelettersforyourchildtowalkon.2. Haveyourchildchooseoneortwolettersfromthecardsandtogethermakelargeversionsonthefloorusing
maskingtape.Namethelettersandtalkabouttheirfeatures(e.g.straightlines,curvedlines).3. Beginbylettingyourchildchoosefromtwouppercaseletters:onewithstraightlinesandanotherwithcurved
lines.Describetheshapeoftheletterasyoumakeitwithyourchild.4. Includeagroupofroundletters,forexample,OandC,foryourchildtochooseaswellasthoseinhisorher
name.5. Broadenthechoiceofletterstoincludemorestraightlinesandallcurvedletters,forexample.PandS.Prompt
yourchildtotalkaboutthefeaturesofeachletterheorshechooses.
Anotheridea:
● Makethechoicesofalllowercaseletters,andincludethelowercaselettersinyourchild'sname.
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● Encourageyourchildtomoveinmorechallengingways.● Includealluppercaseandlowercaseletters.● Next,haveyourchildwalk(hop,skip,jump,glide,tiptoe,takegiant/babysteps,orcrawl)alongthetape.● Inviteyourchildtosuggestotherwaystheymightmovealongthelettersandlistthemonpaper.Encourage
yourchildtomovealongthelettersindifferentways.
Activity#69FamiliarPrint
1. Inviteyourchildtositwithyouandreadtheenvironmentalprintidentifiedaroundthehouse(labelsoncereal,cans,books,etc.).Remembertopointtoeachwordasyouread.Offercommentsthatwillmakethewordspersonalandmeaningfultoyourchild.
2. Encourageyourchildtotalkaboutfamiliarpictures,letters,orwordsinprint.3. Callattentiontoanylabelsthathavethesameorsimilarwords.4. Showyourchildfamiliarenvironmentalprintandgivehimorherachancetorecognizetheproduct.5. Encouragediscussionaboutunfamiliarprintbytalkingaboutdescriptors,suchascolorsorpictures.6. Askyourchildtopointtoaproductnameonafamiliarlabelandencouragehimorhertoidentifyit.7. Inviteyourchildtomovehisorherfingeracrosstheprintandidentifythewords.8. Askyourchildtopointtoindividualwordsonenvironmentalprintwhilereadingwordsaloud.
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Activity#70DailyWriting
1. Createacardwithyourchild’sname.Askyourchildtowritetheirnameonadailywritingsheetwhentheygetupeachmorning.Explaintheproceduretoyourchildandfamilymembers,andshowthemthedailywritingsheet.
2. Acceptanyattemptyourchildmakestosignin.Thisshouldbearelaxed,routineexperience.Encourageyourchildtorefertotheirnamecard,ifneeded.
3. Encourageyourchildtoscribbleonthepapertorepresenthisorhername.Pointouthisorhernameonthenamecardandidentifytheletters.
4. Askthechildtoidentifythefirstletterofhername.Encouragehimorhertolookattheirnamecardforhelpastheywrite.
5. Lookforsomecorrectlyformedletters.Askyourchildtopointtotheindividuallettersinhisorhername.Thelettersyourchildwritesmaynotbewritteninthecorrectorder.
Anotheridea:
● Encourageyourchildtowritehisorhernamewithoutreferringtothenamecard.Encouragethemtouseuppercaseandlowercaseletterswhenwritingtheirname.Talkaboutthelettersthechildchooses.
● Encourageyourchildtowritetheirnameusingthecorrectsequence,form,andorientation.Discusswithyourchildthedifferencesbetweenuppercaseandlowercaseletters.
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MathematicsActivitiesActivity#71TheImaginaryBallWhatToDo:
1. Askyourchildtopretendheorsheisbouncingimaginaryballswithhisorherhands.Say,Boing,boing!Asyoupretendtobounceaball.
2. Inviteyourchildtobouncetheballusingdifferentpartsofhisbody.3. Demonstratebypretendingtobounceaballusingyourhead,shoulders,knees,andtoes.4. Playorsinglivelymusicduringthisactivity.
Activity#72WashDayWhatToDo:
1. Askyourchildtogatheracollectionofsocksofdifferentsizes.Gatherclothespinsorotherclips.Setupaclotheslineoraplacetohangthesocksto“dry.”
2. Explainthattodayis“washday”andthatthesocksneedtobehungupto“dry.”Showhowtousetheclothespins.
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3. Askyourchildtohangthesocksinorderfromshortesttolongest.4. Asheorsheworks,askquestionslikeisPop-pop’ssockshorterorlongerthanJunior’ssock?Andwhosesock
isthatonewiththekittiesonit?
AnotherIdea:
MakingtheMostofRoutines:
● Mostyoungchildrenhavealotofenergy!● Theyneedlotsofpracticetouse,move,andcontroltheirmuscles.● Considercreating“movementmoments”throughouttheday.● Putonfunmusicforafamilydanceparty.● Teachsomeofyourfavoritedancemoves.● Putdownlargepillowsorcouchcushionsandaskyourchildtoseehowhighheorshecanjump.● Lookforexercisevideosonlineandchallengeyourchildtofollowalong.● Tryfunandsillywaystosupportyourchild’sneedtomove!
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Activity#73MakingtheMostofRoutinesWhatToDo:
1. BrushingTeethTonight,trybrushinginnewanddifferentways!2. Youmightsaythingslike:
Canyoubrushyourteethsuperslowly?Canyoubrushyourteethveryquickly?Canyoubrushyourteethinacircle?Canyoubrushyourteethinasquare?
3. Useordinalnumbersandspatialwords:First,brushyourtopteeth.Second,brushyourbottomteeth,etc.
4. ReflectingontheDay:Howwastheday?Howisyourfamilymovingthroughtheroutinesyou’veset?Isthereanythingthatneedstobeadjusted?Considershowinguptobreakfasttomorrowinapieceofclothingthatistoobigortoosmalltomakeyourlittleonesmile!
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Activity#74Bridge&TunnelWhatToDo:
1. Inviteyourchildtositwithyouwithhisorherlegsstraightout.2. Explainthathisorherlegsmakeabridgeandwhenheorsheliftsuptheirknees,theymakeatunnel.3. Ask–Whatcouldmoveoverourbridgeandgounderthetunnel?4. Usehandmotionstoactoutthechantusinghissuggestions.
Welowerthebridgeandthe[truck]drivesover.Weraisethebridgeandthe[shark]swimsunder.Explainthatfabricisakindofcloththatiswoven.Askifyourchildcanseethepatternsoflinesgoingoverandundereachother.(YoumightevenremindthemoftheBridge&Tunnelactivitywheretogetheryoutalkedaboutoverandunder.)
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Activity#75TrafficJamWhatToDo:
1. Showhowtomakedifferenthornsoundswithactions–“beep”whilepressinganimaginarycarhorn;“honk”whilepullingatruckhornstring;and“toot”whilesqueezingahorn.
2. Makeasimplepatternwiththehornsoundsandactions:Beep,beep,honk.Beep,beep,honk.3. Inviteyourchildtowalkwithyouinalineasyourepeatthepatterntogether.4. Continuethegame,invitingyourchildtomakehisorherownpatternsandleadtheline.
AnotherIdea:
● Takeamomenttoaskyourchildtorecallwhatheorshediscoveredthisweek.● Next,inviteyourchildtolookatwhatfamilymembersarewearingandask–Whatkindofpatternsandshapes
areonclothes?● Youcanusewordslikeplaid,stripes,polkadots,solids,andfloralpatternsandpointoutshapesandfigures.● Asafamily,youcansortthelaundryintopilesbypatterns,pictures,andsolidcolors.● Whichpatternismostpopularinyourhome?● Makeacharttofindout!● Takeaphotoofyourfindingsandsharewithanotherfamilyandseewhatkindsofpatternstheyhave!
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Activity#76ThisWayorThatWay?WhatToDo:
1. Drawanarrowonasheetofpaper.Explainthatthearrowpointsinthedirectionyourchildwillmove.2. Practicepointingthearrowindifferentdirectionsanddescribinghowyourchildshouldmove.3. Inviteyourchildtomoveinsillywayseachtimeyoumovethearrow,e.g.,jump,takebigsteps,hop,andslide.4. Aftermoving,askyourchildtonamewhattheyarenear,infrontof,nextto,behind,etc.5. Letyourchildleadtheactivitybypointingthearrowandnamingtheactions.
AnotherIdea:
● SearchYouTubefor“WashandDryread-aloud.”● ExplainthatyouandyourchildwilllistentoastorycalledWashandDry.● Pausethevideoforyourchildtoanswerquestionsormakecomments(read-aloudstrategiesareexplainedat
theendofthevideo).● Talkabouthowtheboy’sclothesgotdirtyandhowtheygotclean.● Talkabouthowyourfamilygetstheirclothesclean.● Makeconnectionslikerememberhowwesortedourclothesbydarkandlight?Justlikethefamilyinthestory!● Considerreadingastorytonighttofindnewvocabularywordsandtothinkofquestionsyoumightaskbefore,
during,andafterreading
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Activity#77BusyBeesWhatToDo:
1. Tellyourchildtheroomheorsheisnowinabeehive!2. Inviteyourchildtobuzzlikeabeeandflaptheirwingsastheymovearoundtheroom.3. Say–Busybees,busybee!Buzzaroundandtouchsomething[tallerthanyou].4. Repeatusingotherphrases,e.g.,somethingshorterthanyou;widerthanyou;smallerthanacat;smallerthan
yourhand;orthesamesizeasthisspoon.
Activity#78ActionCountingWhatToDo:
1. Inviteyourchildtoimagineheorsheisgoingonajourneyasheorshemoveswithyou–marchingupahill,jumpingacrossastream,hoppingintoapuddle,squattingunderabranch,etc.
2. Calloutthenumberoftimestodoeachmovement–Let’smarchfor[six]stepsupthehill.3. Counteachactiontogetherasyoudoeachmovementtogether.
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Activity#79MyShadowandMeWhatToDo:
1. Ifpossible,gooutsideonasunnydayandhavesomefunwithshadows!Oruseaflashlighttocreateshadowsonablankwallindoors.Askquestionslike:Howdoyouthinkshadowsaremade?Canyoutouchsomeone’sshadowwithouttouchingtheperson?Canyoumakeyourshadowdisappear?
2. Draworshowashapeandaskyourchildtousetheirbodytomakethatshape:Here’satriangle.Canyouuseyourbodytomakeatriangleshadow?Canweworktogethertomaketheshape?
3. Askquestionstoencourageyourchildtoreflectontheactivity:Whichshapeswereeasytomake?Whichweredifficulttomake?Whichshapesneededtwopeopletomake?
AnotherIdea:
● HandwashingHandwashingisagreatopportunityforchildrentopracticemoreindependence.● Whatstepscanthechilddoindependently(withyoursupervisionofcourse)?● Canheorshepumpthesoapdispenser?● Turnonandoffthewater?● Tearoffthepaper-towel?SingABCs(twice!)?
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Activity#80Whatsize?TallyingWhatToDo:
1. Askyourchild-Howdoyouknowwhatsizeclothesare?2. Pointoutthattryingclothesonisonewayoffindingoutwhatsizeclotheswewear.3. Gatherafewgarmentsandshoesfromfamilymembersandexplorethesizelabels.4. Ask–Whatdotheletters,numbers,orwordstellus?5. Makeatallygraphshowingthesizesinyourfamily.6. Asyoucounteachsize,makeatallymarkforeachitem.7. Next,askyourchildtohelpyouwritethenumbernexttothetallymarks.8. Considerliningupyourfamily’sshoesfromsmallesttolargesttocomparethesizes.9. Shareyourdiscoverieswithfamilymembers!
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Activity#81MissingLidsWhatToDo:
1. Gathercontainerswithlidsofvarioussizesandshapes(pots,plasticcanisters,jars,andboxes).2. Putcontainersinonepileandlidsinanotherpile.3. Askyourchildtomatchthecontainertoitslid.4. Explainthatliningupthecontainersfromshortesttotallest,orsmallesttolargestmighthelp.5. Askyourchildtopointoutotherfeaturesthatmighthelphimorherfindthematcheslikecolor,shape,and
material.
Activity#82TellingItAgainWhatToDo:
1. Tellyourchildashortstory—eitheranewstoryorafamiliarone.2. Say,Ireallylikedthatstory.Canyouhelpmetellitagain?3. Ask,whathappenedfirstinthestory?4. Taketurnstellingpartsofthestory.5. Continue,usingwordslikesecond,third,fourth,etc.6. Askyourchildtoactouteachpartofthestory.7. Inviteyourchildtomakeuphisorherownstoryaboutsomethingyou’vediscovered.
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Activity#83CompareandContrastWhatToDo:
1. Askhowarechildren’sclothesandgrown-ups’clothesthesameanddifferent?2. Sortyourcleanlaundryintochildren’sclothesandgrown-ups’clothes.Askwhat’sthesame?What’sdifferent?
Maybeyou’venoticedthatmommy’sjeanshaveazipper,butthatthebaby’sjeansdon’t!3. Talkaboutwhysomechildren’sclothesaredifferentandhowthingslikesnapsareeasierforlittlefingersthan
buttons.
Activity#84LineUpMaterials:Painter’stape(whichislessstickythanmaskingtape)oranythingtocreatealineonthefloor;Collectionsofobjectsinbaskets(buttons,rocks,socks)WhyIt’sImportant:
● Childrenbuildthefoundationofgeometrylearningthroughexploringandunderstandingspatialrelationships.
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● Spatialawareness—howobjectsareorientedinrelationtooneanother—developsaschildrenbegintodiscovertherelationshipbetweentheirbodiesandthethingsaroundthem.
WhatToDo:
1. Createalineonthegroundusingpainter’stape,string,orchalk(ifdoingtheexperienceoutdoors).Youcancreatezigzagsorshapesinthelineforanaddedchallenge.Beascreativeorassimpleasyouwouldlike.
2. Worktogetherwithyourchildtocollectsmallitemsfromaroundyourhomeandaddthemtobaskets.3. Encourageyourchildtousethematerialstocreateherownlines.4. Observeyourchildandfollowhisorherlead.5. Watchhowheorshemakeschoicesonwhichmaterialstouseandhowheorshedecidestoplacethem.6. Saythingslike:“Inoticeyouchosemanybumpyshells.Doyouthinkwecouldcountthemtogether?”“Big
button,littlebutton,bigbutton,littlebutton.Iseeyoucreatedapattern.”
Activity#85DoestheShoeFit?Materials:Shoesorclothingitemsofdifferentsizes(hats,socks,etc.)WhyIt’sImportant:
● Childrenoftenenjoyarrangingandrearrangingthethingsaroundthem.Thisactivitywillsupportyourchild’sabilitytoarrangetwoorthreeitemsinanorderbasedononecharacteristic,suchassize.
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WhatToDo:
1. Gothroughyourhomeandgathershoes(cleanandun-soiled)ofdifferentsizes.2. Inviteyourchildtoexplorethecollection.3. Encouragehimorhertodescribethedifferentkindsofshoeshesees.4. Prompthimorhertothinkaboutwhomayhaveworntheshoes,wheretheywereworn,andiftheyarea
specialkindofshoe:“Thatshoeisverysoft.Itismadeofcloth,evenonthebottom.Whendopeoplewearshoeslikethese?”
5. Talkaboutthecharacteristicsoftheshoes,suchascolor,texture,size,oranyuniquepatternsonthesole.6. Encourageyourchildtopretendthatheorsheisopeningupashoestoreandhisjobistoarrangetheshoes
fromthesmallesttothelargestsopeoplewillbeabletofindthesizetheyneed.7. Offerassistance,asneeded.
AnotherIdea:
● Tocontinuetheactivity,encourageyourchildtothinkofotherwaystoarrangetheshoes,suchasbabyshoesfromsmallesttolargest,redshoesfromsmallesttolargest,etc.
● Explainthattheshoecollectionwillbeavailableforhimorhertoexplorelaterifhewishes.● Encourageyourchildtolookforanothercollectionofclothingitems(hats,socks,etc.)andmakenew
arrangements,usingbothcollections.
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Activity#86VeggieLineupMaterials:AgroupoffruitsorvegetablesWhyIt’sImportant:
● Children’sunderstandingofverbalnumbersequencesupportstheircountingskills.● Verbalnumbersequenceunderstandingincludesknowingthatwhencountingobjects,onenumbername
matcheseachobjectandthatthelastnumbernamedtellshowmanyobjectsthereareintotal.WhatToDo:
1. Gatheragroupoffruitsorvegetablesbeforepreparingamealorsnack.2. Inviteyourchildtolinethevegetablesupforcounting.3. Modeltouchingeachobjectasyoucount,slowlysayingthenumbername.Youmightsaythingslike:“One,two,
three,four,five,six,seven.Wehavesevenpeppers.”“Wehavesevenpeppers.IfIaddtwomoretotheline,howmanywillwehave?”
AnotherIdea:● Formealtimes,inviteyourchildtohelpsetthetable.● Askhowmanypeoplewillbeeatingandthenaskyourchildtocountoutthatnumberofplates,utensils,cups,
napkins,etc.
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Activity#87WordProblems
1. Inviteyourchildtoexplorethecollectionofhouseholdobjects.Counttheobjectstogether,andinviteyourchildtodividethegroupsintosmallerpiles.
2. Presentvariousstoryproblems.Askyourchildtosolvethembyusingthemanipulatives.3. Inviteyourchildtocountasawaytosolvethestoryproblem.4. Posestoryproblemsthatinvolveaddingandsubtracting.5. Inviteyourchildtopairobjects,usingsetsofonetothreeobjects.Offerthesamenumberofobjectsineach
set.6. Inviteyourchildtoverballycountusingonenumbernameforeachobject.Encourageherorhimtosolve
storyproblemswithuptofiveitems.
Activity#88
HaveFunMakingNumerals
1. Createasetofnumeralcardsupto10andthetotalquantityforeachnumeralcardunderneatheachnumeral.2. Introduceanumberbooktoyourchild.3. Asyouread,inviteyourchildtocounttheitemsmentionedinthebook.Pointoutthenumeraloneachpage,
tracingitwithyourfinger.Explainthatittellshowmany.Helpyourchildmakeconnectionstothestoryby
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askingquestions.4. Afterreadingthebook,haveyourchildchooseacardfromthesetofnumeralandquantitycards.Showthe
cardtoyourchild.5. Namethenumeralasyoutraceitwithyourfinger.Callattentiontothesetsofdotsatthebottomofthecard.
Remindyourchildthatthenumeraltellshowmanydotsareonthecard.6. Explainthatyouaregoingtousemodelingdoughtomakeanumeral.Demonstratehowtorollandbendthe
materialintoalong,slendershape.Placethedoughalongthenumeraloutline.Ayoungerchildcanrollthedoughalongthetablewithanopenhand,whileanolderchildcanrollthedoughbetweentwoopenhands.
7. Talkaboutthefeaturesofthenumeral,e.g.,curved,straight,ordiagonallines,andthewayinwhichitisformed.
8. Giveyourchildenoughdoughtomakenumerals.Assistyourchild,asnecessary.9. Helpyourchildrolloutalengthofthedough.Showhimorheracardwithanumeralfrom1-3.Namethe
numeralandcountthedotstogetherasyouputyourfingeroneachdot.Helpyourchildplacethedoughalongtheoutlineofthenumeral.Talkaboutitsshape.
10. Usecards1-5,andletyourchildchooseacardtocountandtrace.Invitehimorhertoformthedoughalongtheoutlineofthenumeralonthecard.
11. Introducetwonumeral-quantitycardsusingcards1-5,e.g.,1and5.Inviteyourchildtonamethenumeralandcountthedotsbeforecreatingadoughoutline.
Anotheridea:
● Usenumeral-quantitycardsuptothenumber10.Encourageyourchildtonamethenumeralbeforecounting
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thedots.Talkabouthowthenumeralisformed.Inviteyourchildtocreatethenumeralwithoutoutliningitonthecard.
● Writeanumeralfrom1-20,andaskyourchildtoidentifyit.Invitehimorhertoformthenumeralwithhisorherdough.Askyourchildtothinkofanumberfrom1-20andtocreatethenumeralwithdough.Writethenumeral,ifnecessary,asaguide.
● Continuemakingdoughnumeralsaslongastheactivityintereststhechild.
Playdoughrecipe:
● 2cupsofall-purposeflour● ¾cupofsalt● 1-2cupsofwater● 2tablespoonsofoil● Foodcoloring(optional)● Baggiestostoretheplaydough
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FineMotor/GrossMotorActivitiesActivity#89PictureCardsMaterials:Paper;markers;tape;indexcardsorcardstock;photos,magazinepictures,ordrawingsofthejobsWhyIt’sImportant:
● Picturecardsdepictingroutinessupportyourchildinlearningtomanagehisorherpersonalself-careskillsindependently.
● Picturecardsalsohelphimorhermakemeaningfrompicturesandprint.WhatToDo:
1. Encourageyourchildtothinkofallofthedailyandweeklyjobs(choresandtasks)athome.2. Writethejobnamesonindexcards(oneindexcardperjob).Or(forolderchildren)askyourchildtowrite
eachnameonanindexcard.3. Inviteyourchildtosearchinoldmagazinesforimagesthatrepresenteachjob.4. Haveyourchildcutoutpictures,andthenglueeachonetoitsindexcard.Yourchildcanalsodrawpicturesto
representeachjob.5. Placethepicturecardsbythedailyschedulethatyouhavecreatedwithyourchildandcanchooseoneormore
jobstodoeachday.
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Activity#90FreezeDanceWhatToDo:
1. Explainyouaregoingtoplaysomedancemusicandthateveryoneisgoingto“freeze”andpretendtobeastatuewhenthemusicstops.
2. Inviteyourchildtobecreativewithhisorherstatues,e.g.,makeastatuethat’stallorsmall;makeastatuethatlooksscared,silly,sad,orangry.
3. Inviteyourchildtodescribethetypesofstatuesheorsheseesotherfamilymembersmakingwhentheyfreeze.
Activity#91WhatWasforBreakfast?WhatToDo:
1. Inviteyourchildtositatatablewithpaperandcrayonsandtodraworwriteaboutwhatheorsheateforbreakfast.
2. Askyourchildtoexplainwhatheorshedrew.3. Offertowritewhatheorshewantstonoteabouthisorherpictureatthebottomofthepage.4. Whenchildrenarelearningtowrite,it’simportanttoacceptanymarkstheymakeonpaperthatrepresent
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lettersorimages.AnotherIdea:
● Cleaningupisanimportantpartofplayingandlearningaboutresponsibility.● Aclean-upsongcanhelpmaketidyingupafteranactivitymorefun!
Singtothetune“HereWeGoRoundtheMulberryBush.”Thisisthewaywecleanupour[markers]Cleanupour[markers],cleanupour[markers].Thisisthewaywecleanupour[markers],Sothey’rereadyfornexttime!
Activity#92OneMoreStepWhatToDo:
1. Say–Iwonderhowmanythingswecanremembertodo.2. Askyourchildtodotwoactions–Canyourubyourkneesandthenpatyourhead?–Andactthemoutwith
yourchild.3. Repeatthedirections,addingonemorestep.4. Continuethegame,invitingyourchildtoaddmoreactions.
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Activity#93OutdoorPlayWhatToDo:
1. Takeawalkaroundyourneighborhood(observingallsocialdistancingguidance)andcountwhatyousee:Iseeonebluevan.Iseetwowindowsinthehouse.Iseethreelightsonthetrafficlight,one,twothree,etc.
2. Prepareforaletteractivitybytakingabagonyourwalkandhelpingyourchildcollectsmallsticks!3. ReflectingontheDay-Askyourchildifheorshenoticedanythinginterestingontheneighborhoodwalk
today?4. Isthereanythingyoucouldfurtherinvestigateoutside?Liketheholesonleavesfrompests?Orbudding
flowersandhowthey’vechanged?5. Canyoulearnmoreaboutwhatyousawandwhatyounoticed?6. Lookonlineforfamily-friendlywebsitesthatyouandyourchildcanexploretogether.
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Activity#94MyClothesTodayWhatToDo:
1. Askyourchildtojoinyouinfrontofamirror.2. Talkaboutwhatyou'rewearingtoday.3. Pointoutcolors,patterns,andfabrictextures.4. Inviteyourchildtonamewhatheorsheiswearing.5. Offerhimorherasheetofpaperorhisinvestigationjournalandaskhimorhertodrawwhatthey'rewearing:
Youarewearinggreenshorts.Canyoudrawyourgreenshorts?Whatpatternisonyourshorts?
6. Encourageyourchildtoaddwordstodescribehispicture:You’rewearingyourbrother’sT-shirt.Youcanwritethatifyou’dlike.
AnotherIdea:
● Reflectingontheday,howisyourchildshowinghisemotionsaboutbeinghome?● Considertalkingwithyourchildaboutwhatyoudowhenyouaremissingseeingyourfriendsandfamilyin
person.● Yourcalmreassurancemodelstoyourchildhowtomanagestrongfeelings!
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Activity#95GettingDressed
WhatToDo:
1. Whenhelpingyourchildtogetdressed,describewhatyouaredoing.2. Youcouldsay–I’mgoingtotakeoffyourpajamatop.It’sgoingtobewarmtoday,sowe’llneedashort-sleeved
shirttodaytokeepcool.3. Asyoudress,singtothetuneof“TheFarmerintheDell.”
Let’sputonyour[pants].Let’sputonyour[pants].One[leg],theother[leg],Let’sputonyour[pants].ReflectingontheDayDidyourchildhavefunusingthestorypropstoretellstories?Whatotherstoriescouldyouaddpropsto?
AnotherIdea:
“Mine!Mine!”
● Itcanbereallydifficultforsomechildrentotaketurnsandshare.● Thisisnormal!Youngchildrenarejustbeginningtolearnhowtotaketurnsandshare.● Theyneedalotofpracticetounderstandthattherewillalwaysbeanotherturn,eveniftheyhavetowait.
Acknowledgethatwaitingcanbehardandcelebratewhenyourchilddemonstratespatienceforhisorherturn!
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Activity#96Let’sDesignanObstacleCourse!Materials:Paper,drawingmaterials,imageofanobstaclecourseWhyIt’sImportant:
● Designinganobstaclecourseinviteschildrentothinkaboutallthewaystheycanmovetheirbodies.● Childrenconsiderpotentialobjectsorobstaclestheycanaddtothecourseandhowtheymightmovearound
them.● Drawingamapoftheobstaclecoursealsoencourageschildrentousesymbolstorepresenttheirthoughtsand
ideas.WhatToDo:
1. Gatherthedrawingmaterials.2. Askyourchildtothinkaboutallthewaysheorshecanmovehisorherbody.3. Asheorshetellsyouallthatheorshecando(jump,skip,hop,climb,etc.),encouragehimorhertowrite
downthewordsordrawtheactionsonthepaper.Youcanalsowriteherwordsdown.4. Showyourchildapictureofanobstaclecourse.(Ifyoudon’thaveaccesstoanimage,youcandescribean
obstaclecoursetoheras“anareawithdifferentobjectsthatyoumovearoundindifferentways.”)5. Tellhimorherthatheorshewillbedesigningtheirownobstaclecoursetogothrough.
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6. Askyourchildwhatshethinkswouldbegoodobstaclesfromhome(pillows,balls,ottoman,poolnoodles,etc.).7. Asheorshesharestheirideas,encouragehimorhertowritethewordsdownordrawthemonanothersheet
ofpaper.8. Usingthemovementandobstacleslists,workwithyourchildtodesignanddrawanobstaclecoursewiththree
tofiveobstaclesanddirections,“Jumpoverthepillow.”“Crawlovertheottoman.”“Climboverthechairs.”Nowit’stimetogetmovingfortheObstacleCourseChallenge!
AnotherIdea:
● Askyourchildtoaddmoreobstaclesanddifferentmovementstothedesignortochangetheorderoftheobstacles.
● Askyourchildtocreateanddrawobstaclecoursesfordifferentmembersofthefamily.● Askyourchildtowritetheirnamesontheirobstaclecoursemapstoautographtheirdesigns.
Activity#97ObstacleCourseChallengeMaterials:Obstaclecoursedesignanditsdirections,boundariesforsafeplay,obstacles(pillows,ottomans,boxes,balls,poolnoodles,etc.)WhyIt’sImportant:
● Obstaclecourseshelpyourchildrealizeallthedifferentwaystheirbodiescanmove.
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● Childrenalsolearntofollowmultistepdirectionsandtotaketurns.
WhatToDo:
1. Referringtotheobstaclecoursedesignyoucreatedwithyourchild,gathertheobstaclestogether.2. Lookatthedesigntogetherandcreatetheobstaclecourse.3. Oncethecourseiscomplete,taketurnswithyourchildgoingthroughit,followingtheobstaclecourse
directionsyourchildcreated.4. Inviteotherfamilymemberstogothroughtheobstaclecourseaswell.5. Nowit’stimetogetmovingfortheObstacleCourseChallenge!
AnotherIdea:
● Askyourchildtouseatimerandtimethemselves.● Askyourchildtocreatetrophiesormedals.● Askyourchildtoaddmoreobstaclestothecourseoncetheyareready.
Activity#98
Dance&Remember
1. Inviteyourchildtojoinyouinplayingamusicalgame.Showthemthesongchartandsingthesongtothetuneof"TheFarmerintheDell"withthemuntiltheyarefamiliarwiththewordsandtune.
2. Explainthatyouwillgivethemamovementtoaddtothesongastheysing.
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3. Singmultipleversesofthesong,addingmoremovements,ifappropriate.Eachtimeyousingthesong,useonlyonemovementtoaccompanyit.Eachtimeyouaddamovement,repeatthesongandsequenceuntilthechildrenrememberthemwithoutassistance.
4. Introduceonesimplemovementtothesong.Giveyourchildverbaldirectionswithoutdemonstratingthemovement.
5. Inviteyourchildtosingthesongwithtwoversesandtwomovements.6. Inviteyourchildtosingthesongwiththreedifferentmovements.Includedirectivesthatencourageyourchild
tomovearoundthespace.
Anotheridea:
● Giveyourchilduptofourstepstorememberforthedance.Offerprompts,ifnecessary,tohelpyourchildrecallthemovementsforeachverse.
● Giveyourchildfourstepswherethemovementsareonlyslightlydifferent.Inviteyourchildtodemonstratetheactionsfirst.
● Guideyourchildthroughfiveversesandfivemovementswiththesong.Whenyourchildisready,invitehimorhertorepeatthesongandmovementsindependently.
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Activity#99
WonderfulWarm-Ups
WhatToDo:
1. Beforegoingoutdoorsorstartingaphysicalactivity,inviteyourchildtojoinyouinawarm-upactivity.Explainthatyouwarmuptogetyourbodyandmusclesreadyforexercise.
2. Modelanexercisesuchasjumpingjacks,toetouches,armcircles,etc.,andthenaskyourchildtojoinyou.Counteachrepetitionasyouperformtheaction.
3. Incorporateactionsthatchallengeyourchildtobalanceonbothfeetsuchassquats,toetouches,orkneebends.
4. Incorporateactionsthatchallengeyourchildtoshifthisorherweightfromonefoottotheothersuchasmarching,highknees,orbackkicks.
5. Challengeyourchildtotakestepsandleanindifferentdirectionsasheorshewarmsup.Incorporateactionssuchasfrontlunges,sidelunges,andgrapevines.
6. Includeactionsthatrequireyourchildtohoporjumpsuchasjumpingjacks,hops,andjumpingsquats.
Anotheridea:
● Combinedifferenttypesofwarm-upactionsinasequence.● Continuefor3-4differentactions.Eachtimeyouwarm-up,incorporatedifferenttypesofactions.
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● HighKnees:Liftkneesoneatatimeinplace.Bringeachonetoa90-degreeangle.● BackKicks:Standononelegandbendthekneeoftheotherleg.Bringyourfootstraightbacktowardyour
back.● Grapevines:Steptheleftfoottotheside,crossyourrightfootinfrontofyourleftfoot,andthensteptotheside
onyourleftfootagain.Repeatontherightside.● JumpSquats:Bendyourkneesintoasquatpositionandthenjumpup,landingontwofeet.
Activity#100
BallintheBucket
WhyItIsimportant:
● Bythisage,childrenarewellawarethatthrowingisusuallydonewithapurpose,asinbasketballorothersports.Throwingaballatalargetargethelpsyourchildlearntocontrolanddirecthisorherownbodymovements.Theymustcontroltheirbodyinordertoperformthisorotherspecificactions.
WhatToDo:
1. Provideacontainersuchasabox,basket,tub,orbucket,aballforyourchild,andaballforyourself.2. Inviteyourchildtostandwithyouafewfeetawayfromthebucket.3. Withyourchild,practicethrowingaballintoabucket.4. Increasethethrowingdistanceashisorherskillsimprove.Gradually,yourchildwillgainmorecontrolin
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throwing.5. Throwyourballintothebucketasyourchilddoesthesame.Watchmethrowtheball.Canyoudoittoo?6. Movethebucketclosertohimorherandifheorshemisses,encouragethemtotryagain.7. Describeyourchild’saccuracywhenappropriate.You’regettingitrightwhereyouthrewit!8. Changethegamebyaddingwatertothebucket.
Social-EmotionalActivities
Activity#101Mirror,MirrorWhatToDo:
1. Askyourchildtostandface-to-facewithyouafewfeetapart.2. Say–I’mgoingtobeamirroranddoexactlywhatyoudo!3. Invitethechildtomoveindifferentwaysandcopyhismovements.4. Askyourfamilymemberstoworkinpairs,takingturnsbeingthemirror.
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Activity#102CharacterFeelingsWhatToDo:
1. Inviteyourchildtojoinyouinreadingabook.2. Explainthatyouwanthimorhertopayattentiontothecharacters’feelingsasyouread.3. Talkaboutthebook’stitleandthecover.4. Encourageyourchildtomakepredictionsaboutthestoryandthecharacters’feelings.5. Asyouread,useyourvoiceandfacialexpressionstoshowthecharacters’feelings.6. Askquestionsaboutwhatthecharacterisfeeling:
Whatmakestheturtlefeelfrustrated?Whatdoyouthinkwouldmakeherfeelbetter?
7. Inviteyourchildtotalkaboutatimewhenheorshewasfeelingthesamewaythecharacterfelt:Youwereexcitedyesterday?Whatmadeyoufeelexcited?
AnotherIdea:
● Preparingmealscanbeexcitingforchildrentohelpwithmealpreparation!● Planhowyourchildcanhelpwithmeals–tearinglettuceforsalads,squeezingthelimejuicer,shakingthe
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parmesancheese.● Alwaysbeginwithwashinghandsandthengivesimpledirectionslike:
GivethreeshakesofthepepperorPressdownuntilyoufeelthebiscuitcuttertouchthepan.ReflectingontheDay:
● Howisyourchildadjustingtobeingawayfromhisfriendsatschool?● Canyouhaveavideoplaydate?● Offertorecordyourchildtellinghisorherfriendasillybedtimestoryorsinginghisorherfriendafavorite
song.
Activity#103FamilyPhotoAlbumWhyItIsImportant:
● Asimplealbumcanremindyoungchildrenoftheirsubstantialfamilyknowledgeandfamilyrelationships.Creatinganalbumwillhelpyourchildthinkaboutthemembersoftheirfamilyandwhattheydo.Analbumalsomayincreaseyourchild’senjoymentofbooks,pictures,andprint.
WhatToDo:
1. Tellyourchildaboutyourfamily.2. Helpyourchildmakeanalbumofphotosandfactsabouttheirfamily.Thisprocesswillhelpyourchild
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organizeandexpressknowledgeoftheirfamily.3. Takeaweekormoretohelpyourchildcreateanalbumthattellssomethingabouttheirfamily.4. Createapageforeachfamilymemberbygluingortapingaphotoofthatpersontoasheetofpaper.5. Helpyourchildtoaskthefamilymemberifheorshedoesnotalreadyknowtheanswerstoyourquestions.6. Helphimorhersearchthroughmagazinestofindpicturesthatrepresenttheanswertoeachquestion.7. Buildthestoryoftheirfamily,onememberatatime,untilallpagesarecompleted.8. Askyourchildtodecorateapagetouseasthecover,andthenfastenthepagestogethertomakeabook.9. Taketimetoreviewthebooktogether,andinviteyourchildtosharethebookwithothers.
Activity#104FamilyFunWhyItIsimportant:
● Youcanhelpyourchildfeelincludedinactivitiesorhobbiesthathavevalueinyourfamily’sculture.Heorshewillvalueactivitiesthatmakethemfeelgoodandthatareimportanttoyourfamily.Havingaspecificjobinashared,family-valuedtask,suchasfilingthescoopwithbirdseed,letyourchildfeelneeded,andfeelsatisfactionwhentheywatchthebirdseattheseedsthattheyhelpedtoprepare.Participationinasharedtaskbuildstheirunderstandingofwhyyourfamilyvaluestheactivity.
WhatToDo:
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1. Giveyourchildtheopportunitytofeellikeanimportantmemberofthefamilyinvolvinghimorherinsharedactivities.Yourchildwilllearngroupvaluesandcooperationwhenparticipatinginasharedactivity.
2. Includeyourchildinplansandeventsthatconveyyourfamily’svalues.Forexample,whenyoufeedbirds,letthemusetheirhandstomixtheseedsinalargecontainer.(Ofcourse,choosewhateverfamilyactivityisimportanttoyourownfamily.)
3. Invitethemtomakesomethingthatisimportanttoyourfamily.Forexample,invitethemtocreateabirdfeederbycoveringapineconewithpeanutbutterandthenrollingitinbirdseed.
4. Talktothemaboutwhattheyaredoing.Forexample,describethebigandlittleseedsforbigandlittlebirds.5. Taketimetocompletethetaskandsittogetherandshareyourthoughtsabouttheevent.Iknowthebirdsare
goingtobehappytogettheseseeds.
Activity#105
FollowtheLeader
WhyIt’sImportant:
1. Whenyouprovideexamplesandmodelexpectedbehavior,youhelpyourchildunderstandhowandwhentocareforhouseholdmaterials.Althoughyourchildmaybephysicallycapableofcompletingspecifictasksathome,theycontinuetolearnbyexample.Demonstratingatasktoyourchildandthenaskinghimorhertoimmediatelypracticethattaskreinforcesyourhomeroutinesandexpectations.
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WhatYouDo:
1. Besurethereareseveralthingsoutintheroomthatneedtobeputaway.Includeavarietyofobjectstobeputindifferentlocationsaroundtheroom.
2. InviteyourchildtoplayFollowtheLeader.Askhimorhertofollowyouaroundtheroomanddowhatyoudo.3. Walkormarchinasillywaytomakecleaningupmoreenjoyable.Walkslowlyaroundtheroompickingupa
toyandputtingitaway,thenwaitingforhimorhertorepeatyourmovements.4. Explaineachtaskasyoucompleteit.5. Whentheroomisclean,remembertothankyourchildforhisorherhelpwiththetask.Recallwithyourchild
alltheareasthatweremessyandlisttogethertheitemsheorsheputaway.6. Pointouttohimorherhownicetheroomlookswhenitiscleanandhoweasyitwillbetofindtoysand
materialslaterwhentheywanttousethem.7. Youcanextendthisactivitybygivingyourchildanopportunitytobetheleader.Mimichisorhermotionsas
theymovearoundtheroomputtingthingsaway.
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Resources
Aa Bb Cc Dd
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Ee Ff Gg Hh
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Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn
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Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt
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Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz
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SameSoundSort
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RhymingRiddles
YousleepinmeandIrhymewithsled.
Iamananimalthatcanhopandrhymewithlog.
YouneedmetoeatandIrhymewithmoon.
YouwearmeonyourheadandIrhymewithcat.
Isay“oink”andrhymewithwig.
Ilightuptheskyandrhymewithfun.
Isay“quack”andIrhymewithtruck.
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Iamred,white,andblueandrhymewithbag.
YoucanflymeintheskyandIrhymewithwhite.
Youhavetenoftheseandtheyrhymewithrose.
Ifallfromtheskywhenit’scoldandrhymewithglow.
Isoarfastthroughtheskyandrhymewithwet.
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EnvironmentalPrint
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Upper&LowercaseLettersandNumbers
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