A CALENDAR OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES - SEPTEMBER 2021-AUGUST 2022 - Carlisle United Way
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Getting Ready for Kindergarten
A CALENDAR OF
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
SEPTEMBER 2021–AUGUST 2022
One of the most exciting days for you and your child is the first We know that children have their own time clock for growing and
day of kindergarten. This calendar of activities was developed learning which means some children will be ready to learn more
by Success By 6, United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland quickly than others. Your child does not need to master
County, Cumberland County’s public school districts and the every item on this list to be ready for kindergarten. In fact,
Cumberland County Library System to help you and your child get some children will do better in some areas than in others.
ready for that special day.
Personalize the Calendar
The School Readiness Calendar is filled with a year’s A “Draw a Picture” section allows children to express
worth of ideas and activities. themselves creatively. The caption under each picture frame
As a parent, represents some aspect of this month’s topic. Suggest a new topic
• focus on spending special time with your child. if this one is too hard for your child to draw.
• do these activities together at home or in the community. The “Answer a Question” section allows children to express
• give your child the skills needed for kindergarten. themselves in words. Read the question to your child and write
• use materials found in your home that cost little or no money. his or her response below. Place your finger under each word
and read what is written back to your child. Discuss your child’s
How to Use the School Readiness Calendar response as it relates to the question.
The School Readiness Calendar runs from September through
August. Each month focuses on a different learning topic with Kindergarten Registration Information
suggested daily activities you and your child can do together. This General information needed to register your child for kindergarten,
calendar is for 4 and 5 year olds preparing to enter as well as, a list of the Cumberland County School Districts and
kindergarten. Each month also includes additional ideas, a list of elementary schools can be found on the last pages of the
children’s books and web sites you can visit. Add your own calendar.
creative ideas to those presented in the calendar.
It is important to be flexible while using this calendar. If your child is
Have a wonderful year
not interested in a suggested activity, move on to something else. together as you and your
Since children learn through repetition, allow - even encourage -
your child to repeat activities. child get ready for the
A Special Report Card to Track Your Child’s Progress Big Day – Going To
School readiness is not just knowing the alphabet, numbers and Kindergarten!
identifying colors or shapes. It is a complex combination of age,
individual growth and experience. Children who are ready for
kindergarten also have good social, self-help and physical skills and
are developing a love for learning.
At the end of the calendar you will find a Kindergarten
Readiness Checklist that has been specifically
designed for 4 and 5 year olds. This checklist will help
you prepare your child for school by helping you track your
child’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.
Programs and reading recommendations:
Parents: www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/Parents
Children: www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/Children
Bosler Memorial Library New Cumberland Public Library
158 West High Street 1 Benjamin Plaza
Carlisle, PA 17013-2988 New Cumberland, PA 17070-1597
Phone: (717) 243-4642 Phone: (717) 774-7820
www.boslerlibrary.org www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Cleve J. Fredricksen Library Shippensburg Public Library
100 North 19th Street 73 West King Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-2998 Shippensburg, PA 17257-1224
Phone: (717) 761-3900 Phone: (717) 532-4508
www.shippensburglibrary.org
Cumberland County Library www.fredricksenlibrary.org
System Administrative Office
400 Bent Creek Road, Suite 150 East Pennsboro Branch
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 98 South Enola Drive
Phone: (717) 240-6175 Enola, PA 17025-2796
Phone: (717) 732-4274
(888) 532-7286, Ext. 6175 www.eastpennsborobranch.org
(Shippensburg)
John Graham Public Library
(888) 697-0371, Ext. 6175
(West Shore) 9 Parsonage Street
Newville, PA 17241-1313
www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org Phone: (717) 776-5900
www.johngrahamlibrary.org
Amelia S. Givin Library Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
114 North Baltimore Avenue 16 North Walnut Street
Mount Holly Springs, PA 17065-1236 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-3362
Phone: (717) 486-3688 Phone: (717) 766-0171
www.ameliagivinlibrary.org www.simpsonlibrary.org
• Draw a Picture! • Create a reading area for your child.
Draw a picture of you reading with someone.
• Give your child a variety of books for reading.
• Set aside a special time each day to read with
your child.
• Let your child participate in book reading.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Take along a book bag containing some of your child’s favorite
books when you leave home. Your child can read in the car, on the
bus, at the laundromat or at the doctor’s office. You can read with
your child as you wait together.
Web Site
www.scholastic.com/parents
• Answer a Question!
What is your favorite story? Why?
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
3 4
G
o outside with your S elect a shelf or basket M ake a sock puppet A
sk your child to tell
child and kick a ball to keep library books. with a marker for eyes, a story.
back and forth. nose, and mouth.
5 Labor Day
6 osh Hashanah
R
begins at
7 Rosh Hashanah 8 Library Day
9 10
11
Create a special place sundown Help your child write W
rite a note together to Visit
a playground and T
ogether, look for
for your child to read. Talk about your family his/her name using a special older person. help your child with words beginning with
tree. Y ellow week, look for sidewalk chalk. climbing activities. the same first letter.
things that are yellow
this week.
Grandparent’s
Day
12 13 14
Show your child
how to read from
15 Y
om Kippur
16 17 18
Tell a favorite story o for a walk with your
G left to right, how to Together, find pictures R
ead to your child every L
ook at pictures of you
Play a board game or with family members. child and play follow the turn pages when of animals that begin day! Visit your local or grandparents as
a card game with your leader (skipping, reading, and how to with the same letter. library today! children. Point out
child. hopping, running, etc.) read a book from front changes in clothes.
to back.
19 20 21 First Day of Fall 22 L ibrary Day 23 24 25
Pick a new book and Read your child a story Collect some leaves and Celebrate Fall! R
ead a story. Have your C
elebrate with a walk C
ount the different
encourage your child to and have him/her act it count them together. child retell it in his or outside. trees around your
guess what the story out using a sock puppet. her own words. neighborhood.
will be about by looking
at the cover.
26 27 28 29
30
Make a book bag out of Together, look at the a set of magnetic
Buy T ake your child to the
an old tote bag. pictures in a book before Talk with your child numbers and letters for public library and get a
reading it. Predict what about how to care for your child. library card for each of
the book is about. books. you.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin Roar! A Noisy Counting Book by Pamela Edwards
Corduroy by Don Freeman Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Jane Cabrera
• Draw a Picture! • Answer a Question!
Draw a triangle, circle and square. Count and color each one. What is something you can count in your house? Tell me about it.
• Collect materials your child may use for counting
and learning about numbers.
• Use number words and point out written numerals
as you and your child do things together.
• Involve your child in number and counting activities.
• Read, tell stories, sing songs and say nursery
rhymes about numbers and counting with your child.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Ask your child to look for numbers in your home. Your child may see an
apartment number, time on a microwave, phone, or laptop.
Play “I Spy Numbers” as you and your child go places by car or take a walk
in your neighborhood. Your child may see numbers on auto license plates,
mailboxes, house numbers, and signs with gasoline prices.
Web Site
www.readyrosie.com
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
T each your child how to Make a schedule of
hold a pair of children’s activities for the day and
scissors. Cut strips of discuss them together.
paper.
Fire Prevention
Week
3 4 5 6 Library Day
7 8 9
Help your child choose Using junk mail or Read your child’s Help your child write Play counting games
Ask your child to make two or three play newspaper, have your favorite book to him/her. Have your child practice numbers with their with your child like
a castle with his/her activities to do today child circle numbers counting to 10 and fingers in shaving cream “How many windows
building blocks. and encourage asking between 1 and 5. higher. on a tray or plate. are in this room?”
for help if needed.
10 Columbus Day
11 12 13 14 15 16
Have your child pick a Cut the tops off whole Talk about fall and have Recite nursery rhymes With your child, make Together, string Fruity Help your child make
favorite topic and make carrots and help your your child draw a picture with your child. a list of his/her three Cheerios™ on yarn to his/her favorite
a list of words that child put them into water of a tree. favorite books. Count the make a colorful necklace sandwich.
describe the topic. and watch them grow. titles. with a pattern. Count the
Count the words. Cheerios in each pattern.
17 18 19 20 Library Day
21 22 23
Take your child for a Ask your child to tell you Play “I Spy Numbers” Using junk mail or Have your child count all Play a matching or
walk and collect fall a story. with your child. newspaper, have your Together, point out the the doors and windows memory game today.
leaves. child circle numbers letter “C” in print. Look in your house.
between 6 and 10. for things that begin with
the letter “C”.
Have your child
turn the pages as
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
you read a story. With your child sing Sing the nursery rhyme, Take your child to visit Together, match plastic Together, count groups Act out a favorite part of
some of your child’s “One Two, Buckle My a friend at work and talk containers and lids. of ten pennies. How a story using puppets,
Halloween 31 favorite songs like Shoe”. about what they do. many groups? dolls or animals with
“Ten on the Bed”. Read books about what your child.
people do at work.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Fish Eyes- A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep! by Todd Tarpley
Your Hand in My Hand by Mark Sperring & Britta Teckentrup Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins
Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh Count by Denise Fleming
• Collect materials which focus on rhyming and • Draw a Picture!
beginning sounds. Draw a picture of something that rhymes with hat.
• Read rhymes with your child.
• Play with rhyming sounds.
• Help your child match letters to objects or pictures.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Involve your child in creating an alphabet book over several weeks. Write one
letter in upper and lower case at the top of a piece of paper - for example,
write Pp. Provide a magazine or catalog for your child to cut out one or more
pictures that begin with that letter: example, a picture of pizza and a pig.
Begin with the letters that your child recognizes. When your child has glued
and completed as many pages as he or she can, put the pages in alphabetical
order. Staple or tie the pages together. Encourage your child to name the
pictures representing the letters on each page.
Web Site www.readyrosie.com
• Answer a Question!
What is your favorite nursery rhyme? What rhyming words can
you name?
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Let your child
1 2 3 Library Day
T alk about how
4 5 6
paint or draw a picture. Have your child lie on P ractice saying phone we get from one T ogether, point out the Together, begin to make
Talk about the lines, his/her stomach as you number and address place to another. Look letter “F” in print. Look an alphabet book.
colors, shapes, patterns, look at books together. with your child. at a map together and for things that begin with
and designs your child make a map of the the letter “F”.
included. inside of your house.
Daylight Saving
Time Ends
7 8 9 G
ive your child a
measuring cup,
10 Veterans’ Day 11 12 13
Using letters, have your Play a game with at turkey baster, egg L isten to a story on your B
efore completing a Together, point out the
Talk about clocks, time, child find items around least 3 family members beater and clean sponge phone or tablet with your story, ask your child “G” in print. Look for
and changing the time. the house beginning with or friends. Talk about and have water play time child. what he/she thinks will things beginning with
these letters. taking turns and waiting in the tub or in the sink. happen. the letter “G”.
for your turn.
14 15 16 17 Library Day
18 19 20
Play with rhyming words Green week, look for Continue teaching your R
ead two books today. ive your child props to
G L et your child solve a Go outdoors and let your
such as mouse/house things that are green child his/her phone Have your child tell you pretend to play “grocery problem independently child draw on the
and cat/hat. this week. number and address. which is his/her favorite store” or “restaurant” today when possible sidewalk with chalk.
and why. with a friend. and safe.
21 22 23 24 Thanksgiving
Day
25 26 27
Together, practice Take your child to the Make an obstacle course H
elp your child make a Have
your child draw a Practice opposites with
throwing and catching grocery store and have out of chairs to crawl picture or decoration for ollect some small items
C picture or write a note to your child (up/down,
a ball. him/her help pick items over, under, around. Thanksgiving. and ask your child to a family member about in/out, over/under).
for Thanksgiving. tell you which group has something for which
more/less. he/she is thankful.
Hanukkah begins
at sundown
28 29 30
Gym Day. Together, With your child cut out T ogether, point out the
Invite your child to sing practice jumping, shapes and play a letter “H” in print. Look
his/her favorite nursery hopping on one foot matching game. for things that begin
rhymes over and over and throwing and w ith the letter “H”.
again. catching a ball.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming Napping House by Audrey Wood
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli
• Draw a Picture! •H elp your child recognize his or her own first name in print.
Draw a picture of yourself and write your name below.
•H elp your child recognize the letters in his or her first name.
• E ncourage your child to “read” familiar signs.
•G ive your child opportunities to recognize and name letters
of the alphabet.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Make a set of cards with the names of family members. Use upper and lower case
letters as you did when writing your child’s name. Mix up the family name cards and
encourage your child to find the name of each family member. These cards can also
be used as place cards at the dining table.
Web Site
www.pbskids.org/lions/
• Answer a Question!
Where do you see letters and words? Name all the places
you can.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4
Library Day
ead familiar signs with
R Help
your child trace T ogether, play stopping
your child as you walk O
rganize a toy shelf or and cut circles to make and starting games like
or drive together. box together. Identify a snowman. Freeze Tag or Red Light -
objects and the first Green Light.
letter of the word.
5 Hanukkah ends
6 7 8 9 10 11
Help your child make Blue week, look for Have your child practice Have your child write S ing a favorite song Have
your child name T ogether, make cookies
a letter out of Play things that are blue tying his/her shoes or his/her name on a card together. five things that rhyme to share with your
Dough™. this week. the shoes of someone and display it on the with “cat.” family or friends.
else. bedroom door.
12 13 Take your child to
the bank and talk
14 15 Library Day
16 17 18
Create a writing center Together, point out the about saving money. ave your child practice
H H
elp your child build G
ive your child two
for your child with letter “B” in print. Look Make a piggy bank saying the letters of L ook at baby pictures his/her name using simple directions to
notepaper, pens, for things that begin together out of a coffee his/her first name. together and talk about magnetic letters. follow; put your book on
markers, and pencils. with the letter “B”. can and start saving how your child has the table and then brush
coins. changed. your teeth.
19 20 First Day of
21 22 23 Christmas
Eve
24 Christmas Day
25
Bake cookies together. Read a favorite winter Winter T ogether, write your H
ave your child practice
Count the number on book to your child. child’s full name using his/her phone number
each tray. With your child practice upper and lower case and address.
the “ABC” song. letters.
Kwanzaa begins
26 27 28 29 Library Day
30 31
Help your child practice Play a matching game T alk together and ask Using
a book cover, help
Help your child practice zipping his/her coat and with your child. “why” questions about H
elp your child find the your child find letters in
writing the letters of his/ take an outdoor walk potentially dangerous first letter of his/her her/his first name.
her first name. with a family member. situations in your home. name on billboards.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
I Spy on the Farm by Edward Gibbs LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
1 2 3 vs. A B C by Mike Boldt Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr.
Apple Pie A B C by Alison Murray Alpha Ooops! by Alethea KontisPARENT
SURVEY
• Answer a Question! • Draw a Picture!
What are some things you will take to kindergarten? Draw a picture of a
What will you use them for? crayon or marker.
Use your favorite color
to color it in.
• Gather and organize materials for drawing, writing
and cutting.
• Encourage your child to explore with drawing
materials.
• Let your child see that written words are a part of
daily life.
• Support your child as he or she practices using
scissors.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Outdoors, allow your child to draw and write with chalk on the sidewalk.
Draw in dirt or sand with a stick. Use small brushes to draw with water
on the sidewalk.
Web Site Make large play dough pancakes. Encourage your child to write or draw
www.crayola.com
on the pancakes with pencils or with craft sticks.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
New Year’s Day 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Teach your child how to Together, look at the Take your child to buy R
ead your child a story ave your child practice
H T ogether, plan and how your child how to
S
hold a pair of children’s pictures in a book writing and drawing and act it out using a zipping his/her coat or follow through with a write his/her name using
scissors. Cut strips of before reading it to supplies for the shoe box. sock puppet. jacket before going to simple craft project. upper and lower case
paper. your child. the library. letters.
9 10 11 12 L ibrary Day
13 14 15
Practice using scissors. Make a grocery Together, cut triangles R
ead or tell a story to Continue teaching your Together, look at the
Continue cutting strips shopping list together. and squares out of your child about real R
ead your favorite child his/her home pictures in a book before
of paper. paper. people who show children’s book to your address and parent reading it to your child.
imagination and child. phone number.
creativity.
16 Martin Luther 17 18 Look at a 19 20 21 22
King, Jr. Day magazine together
Help your child find food Say a word to your child that has pictures of L et your child play on T ogether, cut shapes Help your child make
items or animals that Have your child draw a and ask him/her to say people. Talk about what his/her own with puppets out of paper and make his/her name with
begin with the same picture using a pencil, words that rhyme. they look like and how or stuffed animals. a picture. magnetic letters on the
letter as your child’s first crayons or markers. they are similar and/or refrigerator.
name. different from you.
With your child
write a note to a
23 Count backward
from 10.
24 25 26 Library Day
27
Give your child a
28 29
relative or friend. Together, cut shapes With your child write the household job like Read a book about
out of paper to make a names of family ead your child’s
R setting the table or winter with your child.
Tell a favorite 30 Play dress up 31 picture. members and help your favorite book to him/her. helping prepare a meal.
story. together. child find the names.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
Animalia by Graeme Base Journey by Aaron Becker
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Dr. Seuss• Draw a Picture! • Take time each day to listen to and talk with
Draw any picture you would like. Explain the picture to an adult.
your child.
• Involve your child in activities which require
listening and following directions.
• Use pictures to encourage your child to
express ideas.
• Read or tell stories which have characters of
different sizes.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Go through your pictures with
your child. Find pictures of recent
events such as a block party,
Halloween parade or family trip.
Encourage your child to talk
about the people who were there
and the things that happened at
the event.
• Answer a Question!
What do you like about winter? Why?
Web Site
www.kidsource.comSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Groundhog Day
2 3 4 5
Black History Month Tell a favorite winter W
ith your child make Help your child zip up S tack paper cups or
story. Together,
read a book and send homemade his/her jacket, put on blocks together
Dental Health Month about animals. Valentine’s Day cards. boots and take a walk matching each other’s
together. towers.
6 7 8 9
L
ibrary Day
10 11 L incoln’s
B irthday
12
Play “Simon Says” with Red week, look for Put a puzzle together Trace
and cut heart Show your child
your child. things that are red this with your child. shapes together. P
ick out books about pictures. Ask your child W
hen driving or
week. Presidents. to describe what’s walking, talk with
happening. your child about taking
turns left and right.
13 Valentine’s Day
14 15 16 17 18 19
Together, sing the Play a board game or Role-play a pretend argu- D
o finger plays Help your child locate W
ith your child string
“ABC” song. Make a special card game with your ment with your child and together like “Where is pictures of objects in beads together to make
breakfast together. child. discuss ways to solve it. Thumbkin?” and “Itsy two sizes. a necklace.
Bitsy Spider.”
20 President’s Day
21 Washington’s
Birthday
22 23 Library Day 24 25 A rrange a play
date with one of
26
Give your child two-step Have your child count Read a story and ask your child’s friends.
chores: take off your the number of steps Read a story to your Together, go outside W
ith your child make a your child what his/her Let them play together
coat and hang it on the from his/her bedroom child and then let your and look for shadows. paper bag puppet of a favorite part was and and be available to help
hook. to the kitchen. child “read” it to you. character from a book. why. work out problems or
conflicts if needed.
27 28
Read a book to your Together, point out the
child. Have your child letter “D” in print. Look
retell the story. for things that begin
with the letter “D”.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Big Dog, Little Dog by P.D. Eastman The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown The Winter Visitors by Karel Hayes
A Splendid Friend Indeed by Suzanne BloomPARENT
SURVEY
• Draw a Picture! • Collect safe toys and equipment to help your child
Draw a picture with several trees of different shapes, sizes
and colors. Tell an adult what is the same and what is develop large muscles.
different about each tree.
• Let your child spend time outdoors and have
space and freedom to use large muscles.
• Join your child in active play.
• Give your child opportunities to use large muscles
indoors.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Invite your child to move or dance to your favorite music. Try different
children’s songs to find your child’s favorite. Join your child in moving
and dancing to the music.
Web Site
www.pbskids.org
• Answer a Question!
What do you like to do when you are outside?Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 R
A
ead Across
merica Day
2 3 4 5
National Women’s History Go outside and hop, ( Dr. Seuss Day) ave your child tell a
H Steer and pedal a H
ave your child invite a
Nutrition Month Month skip and jump. story to a family member. tricycle. grandparent over or call
R
ead a Dr. Seuss book them on the phone.
with your child
6 7 8 9 Library Day
10 11 12
Brown week, look for Put on some music and Exercise with your child. A sk your child to help Toss bean bags or rolled G
o outside and do
things that are brown dance with your child Count the number of set the table and count ead a story and ask
R up socks into a basket. jumping jacks. Count
this week. and other family arm circles or hops. the items. your child what his/her how many you can do
members. favorite part was and without stopping.
why.
Daylight Savings 13 14 15 S
t. Patrick’s Day 16 17 18 19
Time Begins
Do small jumping jacks Together, move like an T ake a walk with your T each your child the Make a chart together to W
ith your child recite/
Read a book about inside. animal such as a snake child and look for signs “ABC” song. record the weather each sing the days of the
spring with your child. and wiggle on tummies of spring. day next month. week.
on the floor.
First Day of
Spring
20 21 22 23 Library Day
24 Talk with your
25 26
Say a word to your child Have your child use the P lay hopscotch with child about what you are T each your child to
Together, make a and ask him/her to say pictures in a book to tell your child. P lay toss and catch with going to do today and wash hands while
miniature kite or draw words that rhyme with it. or retell a story in your child. as you go through the singing the ABC song.
a picture of a kite. his/her own words. day ask your child what
comes next.
27 28 29 30 31
Enjoy the day together. Have your child invite a
friend over to play
outside.
Provide uninterrupted
time for your child to
play.
T ogether, look for things
that are similar but
different (red apples and
green apples).
T ogether, find pictures of
animals that begin with
the same letter.
CO O KI E
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon It Looked like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw
Croaky Pokey! by Ethan Long Wiggle by Doreen Cronin
Katie’s Too Big Coat by Jane Stephens Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig• Draw a Picture! • Add to the materials you began collecting in
Draw a picture of two objects. Show an adult. Then add one more. October - materials that can help your child learn
more about math.
• Use the materials you have collected to involve
your child in addition and subtraction and
“more” or “less” activities.
• Include addition and subtraction words as you
talk with your child.
• Tell stories and read books that include math
ideas, books in which characters are added or
subtracted as the story progresses.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Help your child prepare a
“math-on-the-go” bag or
shoe box for travel. Let your
child choose which materials
to put in the bag; for
example, the berry baskets
and animals one time and
• Answer a Question! the small boxes and cars the
What is something you want more of? What is something you next. Your child can play with
want less of? the materials in the car, on
the bus or as you wait in the
dentist’s office.
Web Site
www.ed.gov/pubs/
EarlyMath/activities1.htmlSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 eek of the
W
Young Child
2
Have your child name
things that go together ive your child three
G
(cup/saucer, hammer/ simple directions to
nail). follow.
3 National
Library Week
4 5 6 L ibrary Day
7 pring Cleaning!
S
8 9
Help your child learn Using a set of dominos, Read a story to your Together, pack away Go to the grocery store.
to do a forward roll or Pink week, look for count the dots on each child and then have your T ake your child and a winter clothes. Arrange Pick out fruits and
somersault. things that are pink this tile. child “read” the same friend to visit a “kid your child’s closet so vegetables and have
week. story to you. friendly” museum. he/she can reach items your child name the
and put them away. colors.
10 11 12 13 14 Good Friday 15 16
With your child, make a Look for special Have your child pick a T ogether, point out the W
ork with your child on assover begins
P ave your child zip up
H
bunny out of a paper children’s events at the favorite topic and make letter “L” in print. Look two puzzles. Have your at sundown his/her jacket. Take your
bag, cotton balls and library this week. a list of words that for things beginning with child tell you which is child for a walk and look
other things you have describe the topic. the letter “L”. his/her favorite and why. for spring flowers.
around the house.
Easter 17 18 19 Talk
about ways
20 L ibrary Day
21 Earth Day 22 Passover ends 23
Together, sing Five Little Encourage your child to Play a card game we use the earth (water ith crayons, show your R
W e-pot a house plant
Monkeys. steer a bicycle through a together like War, for drinking, soil for T ogether, take a walk child how to “add to” together or plant seeds
simple obstacle course. Go Fish, or Uno. planting food and trees). and look for signs of and “take away from the for a new plant.
Have your child draw a spring. group. Count the totals.
picture of the outdoors.
24 25 26 27 28 Arbor Day
29 30
Have your child practice Have your child pick a Have your child count T ogether, point out the S ing a song with your se several toys to
U
his/her phone number book about a farm. the trees in your yard letter “M” in print. Look child (“BINGO”, “Five T ell your child a story count, then “add to” and
and address. or on your street. for things that begin Little Monkeys”). about trees. to “take away from” the
with the letter “M”. group.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow I Went Walking by Pat Hutchins
Have You Seen My Dragon by Steve Light The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Bear Counts by Karma WilsonPARENT
SURVEY
• Draw a Picture! • Collect materials for learning games.
Draw a picture of you playing a game with a friend or family member.
• Involve your child in matching activities.
• Have fun as you play color games with your child.
• Play “shapes” and “sizes” games with your child.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Cut out a larger circle, square and triangle from paper grocery bags.
Help your child cut out smaller circles, squares and triangles from
construction paper. Suggest that your child paste all the small circles on
the large circle, the small squares on the large square and the small
triangles on the large triangle. Your child may want to add drawings to
the creation.
Web Site
www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html
• Answer a Question!
What will you do this weekend? What do you think you will like best?Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
With your child
1 Teacher
Appreciation
2 Teacher
Appreciation
3 C
ompare what
4 Library Day
5 6 7
change the words to a Week Day happened yesterday Read with your child H
ave your child find
familiar song and make and today and discuss ith your child create
W “Brown Bear, Brown things around the house
up a new one; write it Using Rainbow Play school with your things that are the same and deliver a thank you Bear, What Do You that are square, circular
down and sing it again Goldfish™ help your child as the teacher. and different about the card for a teacher or See?” and rectangular.
and again. child create patterns. two days. friend.
Mother’s Day
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Give your child a ball and Have your child name S ing a favorite song or C
heck out puzzles. Together, look through G
o outside and help
Together, point out the practice directions such words that rhyme with do a finger play together. old magazines and cut your child write his/her
letter “N” in print. Look as “put the ball under “can.” out circles, squares and name using sidewalk
for things that begin your chin.” rectangles. chalk.
with the letter “N”.
15 16 17 18 Library Day
19 20 21
Have your child count Black week, look for Talk about things you P lay “I Spy” with colors After listening to a story, U
se this calendar to talk
from 1 to 10 or as high things that are black can do outdoors in and shapes. “I Spy L et your child solve a have your child tell you about what will happen
as he/she can count. this week. spring and have your something red and problem independently what happened first, tomorrow or later this
child tell you what round.” today when possible and next and last. week.
his/her favorite is. safe.
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Practice drawing Practice the “ABC” Visit a playground T ogether, point out the Play a game together Go outside with your W
ith your child read and
squares, triangles, and song with your child. and climb together. letter “P” in print. Look such as “Memory” or child and kick a ball act out a story like Five
circles. for things that begin with “Go Fish.” back and forth. Little Monkeys Jumping
the letter “P”. On the Bed.
29 Memorial Day
30 Take your child
31
Have your child use their outside and play “Simon
fingers to count small Talk with your child Says.” Focus on
items – like sunflower about Memorial Day. exercise activities
seeds. (hopping, bending over,
and touching toes).
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt Mouse Paint by Ellen Stohl Walsh
You Are Not Small by Anna Kang Friendshape by Amy Rosenthal
Spectacular Spots by Susan Stockdale Circle, Square, Moose by Kelly Bingham• Answer a Question! • Draw a Picture!
What pairs go together? sock, bat, fork, ball, shoe, spoon Draw a picture with a pattern. (Example: cookies in a red, yellow, green,
red, yellow, green pattern).
• Collect materials which encourage thinking
and problem-solving.
• Involve your child in discovering things that
go together.
• Play pattern games with your child.
• Involve your child in putting pictures in order.
Web Site
www.freejigsawpuzzles.com ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Make and purchase puzzles for your child to complete. Cut up greeting cards or
the front of a cereal box in puzzle-like shapes. Give your child the cut-up pieces
to fit back together.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Library Day
2 3 4
S ing a favorite song or o outside and have
G W
ith your child plant
ave your child talk
do a finger play together. H your child practice a flower seeds in a pot or
with grandparents about step-step-jump and a in the ground.
what it was like when clap-clap-pat pattern.
they were young.
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
White week, look for Have your child talk Cut up an old greeting M
ake a picnic lunch Together, “read” a Have your child help S tart a nursery rhyme
things that are white about the steps in the card in puzzle-like with your child and eat picture book by making fold clothes and count and have your child
this week. flower seeds planting shapes. Ask your child it outside. up a story to go along how many he/she finish it.
project. to fit the pieces back with the pictures. folded.
together.
12 13 Flag Day
14 15 Library Day
16 17 18
Read a story to your Go to the store and Have your child practice S ign up for your library’s Together, point out the T ogether, make a
child, pointing to each name the fruits and his/her phone number summer reading Have your child practice letter “R” in print. Look collage of summer
word as you read. vegetables. Have your and address. program. Teach your counting from 1 to 10. for things that begin pictures.
child name the colors child how to ask for help with the letter “R”.
too. to find a book.
Father’s Day
19 20 First
Summer
Day of 21 22 23 24 25
Put pictures in order like M
ake a new recipe/food A sk your child to find Play one of your favorite G
o outside and repeat a
Have a cook out or a baby, a toddler and a Have your child draw a together and encourage objects that go together songs and dance pattern activity like
picnic dinner. girl. picture of fun things your child to try it. like a ball and a bat. together to the beat! step-step-jump.
to do in the summer.
26 27 28 29
Library Day
30
Arrange a play date Go out to a restaurant, Read with your child T ogether, count groups
with one of your child’s read over the children’s each day. of ten using cereal like Celebrate something
friends. menu and let your child Cheerios™. your child has recently
order what he/she would accomplished – make
like to eat. it fun!
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff• Draw a Picture! • Create with your child an “All About Me and My
Draw a picture of your family. Label each picture with his or
her name. Family” book.
• Involve your child in adding personal information
to the book.
• Help your child add a family section to the book.
• Create with your child a section of the book about
your family’s favorite things.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS Web Site
www.behindthename.com
Let your child share
the “All About Me and
My Family” book and
the family tree with
other family members
and with neighbors.
Suggest that he or
she “read” what is
• Answer a Question! written in the book
What do you like to do with your family? and on the family
tree. Your child may
not be able to actually
read all of the words.
With your help he or
she can recall what is
written.Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
sk your child what
A W
ith your child take
might happen if it rains a walk and count the
today. stars.
3 Independence
4 5 6 Library Day 7 8 9
Day Together, write a story H
ave your child find T ogether, point out the P ractice reciting your H
ave your child use your
Show your child how and about the flower you things that are his/her letter “S” in print. Look child’s address and shoes to measure a
when to dial 911. Have your child draw a planted last month. favorite color. for things that begin phone number. room. How many shoes
picture using red, white with the letter “S”. across?
and blue.
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Together, act out a Create a list of four Have your child draw a H
ave your child describe Play a card game ith your child pick two
W H
ave your child retell a
familiar story and use/ tasks for your child to picture of your family her/his hair and eye together like War, books to read today. story or event in order
make simple props complete today. and have your child say color. Go Fish, or Uno. (first, middle, last).
to go with the story. the first and last names
of each person.
17 Work together on
18 19 20 Library Day
21 22 T alk about how
23
Discuss what police a project or household Have your child fill in the H
ave your child count Encourage your child to many family members
officers and fire fighters job. Talk about how blanks. “I was born on pennies…count as high ave your child practice
H dress himself/herself. you have – how many
do to help our working together helps _____ and I am _____ as he/she can. writing his/her first and boys, how many girls,
community. get things done faster years old.” last name. who is the oldest, and
and is more fun. who is the youngest.
Parent’s Day
Do a favorite
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
activity with your child. Have your child name Have your child count T ell your child what an ith your child practice
W T ogether, point out the T ogether, sort a handful
things that rhyme with the number of steps elementary school identifying opposites letter “T” in print. Look of various coins.
Tell your child 31 “pig.” from his/her bed to the principal does. (in-out, up-down, etc.). for things that begin
what a teacher bathroom. with the letter “T”.
does in school.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang• Draw a Picture! • Support your child’s independence.
Draw a picture of you going to kindergarten.
• Practice going to kindergarten.
• Visit your child’s school and preview
school activities.
• Maintain predictable family routines.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
Create a school prop box. Gather items that can be used to
play school and put them in a special decorated box - such
as a shoebox or clean laundry detergent box. Items for your
school prop box might include paper, pencils, crayons, books,
watercolor paints, glue, scissors, a ball, a lunch bag, or index
cards with the names of family members and friends written
on them. Use the school prop box when you and your child
play school together.
Web Site
www.pbskids.org/rogers/
• Answer a Question!
What do you think you will like most about kindergarten? Why?Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
Library Day
With your child, mark a Have your child practice P lay school with your Talk about or read a H
ave your child put
calendar designating the skipping, galloping and child. Take turns being ave your child write a
H book about riding the magnetic numbers in
first day of kindergarten. marching. the teacher. list of words that rhyme bus to school. order from 1 to 10.
with “can.”
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Check your child’s Help your child “write” Read a book about going W
ith your child, count ave your child find
H Have your child practice H
ave your child show
school calendar and numbers with his/her to school and ask your the days remaining until objects around the house bouncing a ball and you what numbers
plan to attend “back to finger in a container of child to retell the story. the first day of that are in the shape counting the number of he/she can write or
school” events. uncooked rice. kindergarten. of a triangle, circle and bounces. copy.
square.
14 15 16 17 Library Day
18 19 20
Use sidewalk chalk and Together, begin to After listening to a story, T alk with your child Together, pretend it is H
ave your child put a
draw a picture on the organize what your child have your child tell you about his/her feelings as T ogether, point out the the first day of school. puzzle together with a
sidewalk or driveway will need for the first day what happened first, the school year begins. letter “V” in print. Look Practice ways to say friend.
together. of school. next and last. for things that begin with goodbye.
the letter “V”.
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Together, pick out Have your child draw a Read your child’s H
ave your child practice Practice the “ABC” song Have your child tell you P lay games with your
clothes for the first days picture of his/her new favorite book to him/her. writing his/her name and with your child. about his/her favorite child and enjoy being
of school. school. identifying each letter. part of their school day. together.
28 29 30 31
Together, recall and list Help your child find Have your child practice R
ecite nursery rhymes
the day’s events. words that rhyme with his/her phone number with your child.
“me.” and address.
BOOKS FOR FOUR & FIVE YEAR OLDS
Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten by Hyewon Yum Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin
Owen by Kevin Henkes Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn Dinotrux by Chris GallNot sure if your child is ready to tackle the world of kindergarten? This checklist has been developed
to help you prepare your child for school. It is a GUIDE designed to help you look at your child’s
physical, social, emotional and academic development. It is intended for four and five year olds.
The criteria on the checklist should not be applied to children three years old or younger.
I can do this I am making I can do this I am making
consistently progress CRITERIA consistently progress CRITERIA
Health, Wellness & Physical Development Language & Literacy Development continued
Runs, jumps, hops, throws, kicks and bounces a ball Follows directions with at least two steps
Rides a tricycle Asks “what if” and “how” questions about how
things work
Uses pencils, crayons and markers for drawing and
writing; cuts with scissors; uses a glue stick Says or sings familiar songs and nursery rhymes
Expresses ideas through pictures he or she draws:
Follows set routine for preparing for bed, personal
for example, a child draws a picture of 3 family
hygiene and eating meals
members and says who each one is
Uses good habits: uses a spoon to eat, closes mouth Answers simple questions in complete sentences:
when chewing, blows own nose, and washes hands who, what, where and when
before eating
Shows growing interest in reading and being read to
Follows simple safety rules
Holds and looks at books correctly turning pages
Visits doctor and dentist regularly one at a time
Tells first and last name After listening to story, tells what might happen next
Knows his or her full address and parent phone number Retells simple story such as the Three Little Pigs after
listening to it while looking at the pictures in the book
Tells if she or he is a girl or boy
Matches two pictures that are alike
Social and Emotional Development
Recognizes and names at least 8 colors
Takes care of own needs such as toileting,
washing hands, dressing and trying to tie his or her Tells things go together: a spoon and fork are for
own shoes eating and a fish and a boat go in the waterTells how old she or he is Mathematics & Science
Counts from 1 to 10 in correct order
Adjusts to new situations without family members
being there Puts written numbers in order from 1 to 5: 1,2,3,4,5
Attempts new tasks knowing it’s okay to make Counts at least 5 objects such as 5 apples and 5
mistakes cookies
Plays cooperatively with peers, taking turns, sharing Sees a number, from 1-5, such as 3 and understands
and resolving problems this means 3 objects such as 3 cookies
Respects the feelings, rights and belongings of Recognizes and names 3 shapes: circle, square and
others triangle
Uses “more” and “less” correctly
Uses words to express feelings, “I’m angry”,
“I’m happy” Repeats a pattern you start: for example, step, step,
jump, step, step, jump
Language & Literacy Development
Puts three pictures in order: 1. Planting flower seeds
Recognizes and names at least 10 letters of the
2. Flowers growing 3. Picking flowers
alphabet, especially those in his/her name
Copies a line, circle, square and triangle
Matches beginning sounds with objects: matches
the letter “b” with banana or ball Sorts groups of objects and says which are the same
shape, color or size
Hears rhyming words when spoken such as “cat”
and “hat” Puts puzzles together
Begins to write his or her own first name
Remember that play is an
Recognizes her or his own first name in print important part of learning.
Your child learns best when he
Shows “top” and “bottom”, “in” and “on”, and
or she is spending time with
“under” and “over”
you and doing activities which
Recognizes words or signs he or she sees often: are interesting and fun!
McDonalds, Wal-Mart or stop signs and exit signs
Speaks in complete sentences of 3 to 5 words
continued...Cumberland County School District Information
BIG SPRING SCHOOL DISTRICT CUMBERLAND VALLEY MECHANICSBURG AREA WEST SHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT
45 Mt. Rock Road, Newville 17241 SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL DISTRICT 507 Fishing Creek Road,
Phone: (717) 776-2000 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg 17050 100 E. Elmwood Avenue, New Cumberland 17070
Phone: (717) 697-8261 Mechanicsburg 17055 Phone: (717) 938-9577
Mount Rock Elementary School
Phone: (717) 691-4500
43 Mt. Rock Road, Newville Green Ridge Elementary School Fairview Elementary School
Newville Elementary School 1 Green Ridge Road, Mechanicsburg Broad Street Elementary School 480 Lewisberry Road, New Cumberland
100 Steelstown Road, Newville 200 S. Broad Street, Mechanicsburg Fishing Creek Elementary School
Hampden Elementary School
Oak Flat Elementary School 441 Skyport Road, Mechanicsburg Elmwood Elementary School 510 Fishing Creek Road, Lewisberry
334 Centerville Road, Newville 100 E. Elmwood Avenue, Mechanicsburg Highland Elementary School
Middlesex Elementary School
250 N. Middlesex Road, Carlisle Kindergarten Academy at Filbert Street 1325 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill
CAMP HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT 505 S. Filbert Street, Mechancisburg Hillside Elementary School
Monroe Elementary School
2627 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill 17011 1240 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs Northside Elementary School 516 7th Street, New Cumberland
Phone: (717) 901-2400 411 N. Walnut Street, Mechanicsburg Lower Allen/Rossmoyne
Shaull Elementary School
Eisenhower Elementary School 1 Shaull Drive, Enola Shepherdstown Elementary School Elementary Schools
340 N. 21st Street, Camp Hill 1849 S. York Street, Mechanicsburg 4100 Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill
Silver Springs Elementary School
Hoover Elementary School 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg Upper Allen Elementary School Newberry Elementary School
420 South 24th Street, Camp Hill 1790 S. Market Street, Mechanicsburg 2055 Old Trail Road, Etters
Sporting Hill Elementary School
Red Mill Elementary School
210 S. Sporting Hill Road, Mechanicsburg
CARLISLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT SHIPPENSBURG AREA 700 Red Mill Road, Etters
632 West Penn Street, Carlisle 17013 Winding Creek Elementary School SCHOOL DISTRICT Washington Heights Elementary School
Phone: (717) 240-6800 34 Bali Hai Road, Mechanicsburg 317 N. Morris Street, Shippensburg 17257 531 Walnut Street, Lemoyne
Bellaire Elementary School Phone: (717) 530-2700
899 Waggoner’s Gap Road, Carlisle EAST PENNSBORO AREA James Burd Elementary School
Crestview Elementary School SCHOOL DISTRICT 600 Brad Street, Shippensburg
240 Long’s Gap Road, Carlisle 890 Valley Street, Enola 17025
Nancy Grayson Elementary School
Phone: (717) 732-3601
Hamilton Elementary School 301 Lurgan Avenue, Shippensburg
735 Clay Street, Carlisle East Pennsboro Elementary School Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary
840 Panther Parkway, Enola University Campus, Shippensburg
Letort Elementary School
110 East South Street, Carlisle West Creek Hills Elementary School
400 Erford Road, Camp Hill
Mooreland Elementary School SOUTH MIDDLETON
329 Wilson Street, Carlisle SCHOOL DISTRICT
4 Forge Road, Boiling Springs 17007
Mt. Holly Springs Elementary School Phone: (717) 258-6484
110 Mooreland Avenue, Mt. Holly Springs
W.G. Rice Elementary School
North Dickinson Elementary School
805 Holly Pike, Mt. Holly Springs
151 N. Dickinson School Road, CarlisleGetting Ready for
Kindergarten!
Contact your local school district to find out the dates
for pre-registration. You may need to bring the
following items to register your child for public school:
✔ Birth certificate
✔ Social Security card
✔ Current immunization record
✔ History form completed by parent or guardian
(obtain from school at time of registration)
✔ Physical and dental exam performed by a health
care professional
✔ Proof of residency (i.e. driver’s license, rental or
mortgage agreement, etc.)
✔ Your child
• Check with your local school district to see if
additional information is required for registration. The Getting Ready for Kindergarten 2021-2022 School Readiness Calendar is
made available through Success By 6™, The Early Childhood Initiative of United Way PROJECT SPONSORS
of Carlisle & Cumberland County. Success By 6™ is committed to improving the
quality, availability and affordability of early childhood education in Cumberland
County to ensure that our children enter school ready to succeed!
Cumberland County school districts provided guidance and expertise in
Carlisle
the development of this calendar to ensure alignment to current
academic standards. This project has been funded through the
generous contributions of our Project Sponsors.
SPECIAL THANKS
This School Readiness Calendar is based on the “Getting Ready
Club
for Kindergarten” calendars produced by the Arkansas Department of Human
Services, Division of Child Care and Early Education through
Federal Child Care Development Fund and the Arkansas
Head Start – State Collaborative Project. Our special thanks
for their willingness to share their work with us.
Special thanks to author Laura Numeroff and
HarperCollins Publishers for allowing us to use the images
from her books: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie and If You
Take A Mouse To School. These delightful images are
sure to bring smiles to children and parents alike as they
complete the activites in the 2021-2022 Getting Ready for
Kindergarten Calendar.
DESIGN & PRINT BY
717.795.8830 | wavelinedirect.com
Success By 6TM, The Early Childhood Initiative Home of
of United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County
145 South Hanover Street • Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-4805 • Fax (717) 243-8005
800.257.8830 | childcorepublishing.com
uwcarlisle.orgYou can also read
