Download pdf - Irvington Public Schools Office of Early Childhood › wp-content › uploads › ...The Imaginary Ball Choice # 1 Activity # 51 Literacy Popping Popcorn Choice # 1 Activity # 52 Literacy

IrvingtonPublicSchools

OfficeofEarlyChildhood

PreschoolHomeSchoolInstructionActivities

ExtendedLearningPlan

Dr.AprilVauss,InterimSuperintendent

TawanaMoreland,DirectorLiaSkibniewski,Supervisor

2

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.

3

Day1 Day2 Day3 Day4 Day5Choice # 1

Activity # 51 Literacy

PoppingPopcorn

Choice # 1


SameSoundSort/LetterSounds

Choice # 1

Activity#71Math

TheImaginaryBall

Choice # 1


StickLetters

Choice # 1


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


CharacterFeelings

Choice#3

Activity#76Math

ThisWayorThatWay?

Choice#3

Activity#55Literacy

The Name Game

Letter Names

Choice#3

Activity#89Physical

PictureCards

Choice#3


FamilyPhotoAlbum

4


Activity#56Literacy

RiddleDeeDee

Choice # 1


DramaticStoryRetelling

Choice # 1

Activity#77Math

BusyBees

Choice # 1


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


RhymingChart

Choice#3

Activity#Social-Emotional

FamilyFun

Choice#3

Activity#Physical&Social-

Emotional

FollowtheLeader

5


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


My Journal

Choice#3

Activity#66Literacy

Memory Games

Choice#3

Activity#92Physical

OneMoreStep

Choice#3

Activity#68Literacy

LetterWalk

6

Day16 Day17 Day18 Day19 Day20

Choice # 1


FamiliarPrint

Choice # 1


DailyWriting

Choice # 1

Activity#71Math

TheImaginaryBall

Choice # 1


PoppingPopcorn

Choice # 1



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


Mirror,Mirror

Choice#3

Activity#77Math

BusyBees

Choice#3


StickLetters

Choice#3

Activity#94Physical

MyClothesToday

Choice#3


CharacterFeelings

7


Choice # 1


BedtimeBooks

Choice # 1

Activity#55Literacy

The Name Game

Letter Names

Choice # 1

Activity # 78 Math

ActionCounting

Choice # 1

Activity#56Literacy

RiddleDeeDee

Choice # 1


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


Willy’sWeek

Choice#3

Activity#95Physical

GettingDressed

Choice#3

Activity#59Literacy

PantryLabels

Choice#3


CharacterFeelings

Choice#3

Activity#96Physical

lLet’sDesignanObstacleCourse

8


Choice # 1

Activity # 86 Math

VeggieLineup

Choice # 1

Activity#60Literacy

HowlingattheMoon

Choice # 1

Activity # 84 Math

LineUp

Choice # 1

Activity#85Math

DoestheShoeFit?

Choice # 1


RhymingChart

Choice#2

Activity#Physical

ObstacleCourseChallenge

Choice#2

Activity # 87 Math

WordProblems

Choice#2

Activity#88Math


Choice#2

Activity # 62 Literacy Mealtime

Choice#2

Activity#71Math

TheImaginaryBall

Choice#3

Activity#74Math

Bridge&Tunnel

Choice#3


My Journal

Choice#3

Activity#66Literacy

Memory Games

Choice#3

Activity#98Physical

Dance&Remember

Choice#3

Activity#67Literacy

TapIt,ClapIt,

9


Choice # 1

Activity#68Literacy

LetterWalk

Choice # 1


FamiliarPrint

Choice # 1

Activity # 75 Math

Traffic Jam

Choice # 1


DailyWriting

Choice # 1



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


FollowtheLeader

Choice#3

Activity#86Math

VeggieLineup

Choice#3

Activity#51Literacy

PoppingPopcorn

Choice#3

Activity#100Physical

BallinaBucket

Choice#3

Activity#89Physical

PictureCards

10

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?

11

● 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.

12

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?

13

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?

14

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.

15

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.

16

● 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:

17

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.

18

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.

19

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.

20

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.

21

AnotherIdea:

● Toextendthisexperience,haveyourchildwritebooksabouttheirfriendsorfamilymembers.

Activity#64FeedMeMaterials:IngredientsforwhatyouaremakingwithyourchildWhyIt’sImportant:● Childrenenjoyguessinggamesasmuchastheyenjoysilly,nonsensicalwordsandrhymes.● Thisactivityprovidesanopportunitytodoboth.● Itpromotesyourchild’sdevelopmentofphonologicalawarenessasheorshefiguresoutwhatfooditemsyou

aretalkingabout.

WhatToDo:

1. Inviteyourchildtohelpyouprepareameal.2. Asyoudiscusswhatyouwillbemaking,createnonsensewordsbyreplacingoraddingtotheinitialsoundof

thewordwithadifferentlettersound.“We’regoingtomakemasghettiandspeatballsfordinner.”3. Letyourchildknowthattherearemanyingredientsformasghettiandspeatballs.

22

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.

23

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

24

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

25

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.

26

● 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.

27

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.

28

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.

29

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!

30

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!

31

Activity#74Bridge&TunnelWhatToDo:

1. Inviteyourchildtositwithyouwithhisorherlegsstraightout.2. Explainthathisorherlegsmakeabridgeandwhenheorsheliftsuptheirknees,theymakeatunnel.3. Ask–Whatcouldmoveoverourbridgeandgounderthetunnel?4. Usehandmotionstoactoutthechantusinghissuggestions.

Welowerthebridgeandthe[truck]drivesover.Weraisethebridgeandthe[shark]swimsunder.Explainthatfabricisakindofcloththatiswoven.Askifyourchildcanseethepatternsoflinesgoingoverandundereachother.(YoumightevenremindthemoftheBridge&Tunnelactivitywheretogetheryoutalkedaboutoverandunder.)

32

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!

33

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

34

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.

35

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!)?

36

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!

37

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.

38

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.

39

● 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.

40

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.

41

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.

42

Activity#87WordProblems

1. Inviteyourchildtoexplorethecollectionofhouseholdobjects.Counttheobjectstogether,andinviteyourchildtodividethegroupsintosmallerpiles.

2. Presentvariousstoryproblems.Askyourchildtosolvethembyusingthemanipulatives.3. Inviteyourchildtocountasawaytosolvethestoryproblem.4. Posestoryproblemsthatinvolveaddingandsubtracting.5. Inviteyourchildtopairobjects,usingsetsofonetothreeobjects.Offerthesamenumberofobjectsineach

set.6. Inviteyourchildtoverballycountusingonenumbernameforeachobject.Encourageherorhimtosolve

storyproblemswithuptofiveitems.

Activity#88


1. Createasetofnumeralcardsupto10andthetotalquantityforeachnumeralcardunderneatheachnumeral.2. Introduceanumberbooktoyourchild.3. Asyouread,inviteyourchildtocounttheitemsmentionedinthebook.Pointoutthenumeraloneachpage,

tracingitwithyourfinger.Explainthatittellshowmany.Helpyourchildmakeconnectionstothestoryby

43

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

44

thedots.Talkabouthowthenumeralisformed.Inviteyourchildtocreatethenumeralwithoutoutliningitonthecard.

● Writeanumeralfrom1-20,andaskyourchildtoidentifyit.Invitehimorhertoformthenumeralwithhisorherdough.Askyourchildtothinkofanumberfrom1-20andtocreatethenumeralwithdough.Writethenumeral,ifnecessary,asaguide.

● Continuemakingdoughnumeralsaslongastheactivityintereststhechild.

Playdoughrecipe:

● 2cupsofall-purposeflour● ¾cupofsalt● 1-2cupsofwater● 2tablespoonsofoil● Foodcoloring(optional)● Baggiestostoretheplaydough

45

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.

46

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

47

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.

48

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.

49

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!

50

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!

51

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.

52

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.

53

● 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.

54

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.

55

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.

56

● 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

57

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.

58

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

59

parmesancheese.● Alwaysbeginwithwashinghandsandthengivesimpledirectionslike:

GivethreeshakesofthepepperorPressdownuntilyoufeelthebiscuitcuttertouchthepan.ReflectingontheDay:

● Howisyourchildadjustingtobeingawayfromhisfriendsatschool?● Canyouhaveavideoplaydate?● Offertorecordyourchildtellinghisorherfriendasillybedtimestoryorsinginghisorherfriendafavorite

song.

Activity#103FamilyPhotoAlbumWhyItIsImportant:

● Asimplealbumcanremindyoungchildrenoftheirsubstantialfamilyknowledgeandfamilyrelationships.Creatinganalbumwillhelpyourchildthinkaboutthemembersoftheirfamilyandwhattheydo.Analbumalsomayincreaseyourchild’senjoymentofbooks,pictures,andprint.

WhatToDo:

1. Tellyourchildaboutyourfamily.2. Helpyourchildmakeanalbumofphotosandfactsabouttheirfamily.Thisprocesswillhelpyourchild

60

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:

61

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.

62

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.

63

Resources

Aa Bb Cc Dd

64

Ee Ff Gg Hh

65

Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn

66

Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt

67

Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz

68

SameSoundSort

69

RhymingRiddles

YousleepinmeandIrhymewithsled.

Iamananimalthatcanhopandrhymewithlog.

YouneedmetoeatandIrhymewithmoon.

YouwearmeonyourheadandIrhymewithcat.

Isay“oink”andrhymewithwig.

Ilightuptheskyandrhymewithfun.

Isay“quack”andIrhymewithtruck.

70

Iamred,white,andblueandrhymewithbag.

YoucanflymeintheskyandIrhymewithwhite.

Youhavetenoftheseandtheyrhymewithrose.

Ifallfromtheskywhenit’scoldandrhymewithglow.

Isoarfastthroughtheskyandrhymewithwet.

71

EnvironmentalPrint

72

73

74

Upper&LowercaseLettersandNumbers

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87