ALL YEAR ROUND - A Calendar of Family Activities for March 2020 - February 2021 United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties - Helping all children ...
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GROWING AND LEARNING
ALL YEAR ROUND
A Calendar of Family Activities for March 2020 – February 2021
United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties — Helping all children succeed in school and in life.
It’s never too early to
START LEARNING!
O ne of the most exciting days
for you and your child is the
first day of kindergarten. But learning
• Use this calendar as a guide for
fun activities. You do not have
to do the activity on the day it
begins at birth. It’s never too early appears in the calendar.
to start reading to your child. Even • The activities are meant to help
newborns learn from hearing you read build your child’s vocabulary and
to them. Let’s get started! literacy skills.
• Many of the activities in this • Include friends and family
calendar can be done with very members in the activities
young children. including older and younger
• The calendar runs from March siblings.
2020 to February 2021. Each • Remember that play is an
month focuses on a different important part of learning.
topic with suggested daily • Your child learns best when he/
activities based on strategies she is spending time with you
developed by early learning and doing activities that are fun
experts. and interesting.
LEARNING R eadiness Checklist
This checklist is a guide to help Good Health & Physical Well-Being Language & General Knowledge
My child: My child:
prepare your child to learn. It’s ■ Eats a balanced diet ■ Has many opportunities to talk
best to look at the items on the ■ Gets plenty of rest and listen
list as goals to aim Toward. If ■ Receives regular medical and ■ Is read to every day
your child lags behind in some dental care ■ Has access to books and other
■ Has had all the necessary reading materials
areas, don’t worry, remember that immunizations ■ Is learning about print and books
children grow and develop at ■ Runs, jumps, plays outdoors and does ■ Has television viewing monitored
different rates. other activities that provide exercise by an adult
and help develop large muscles ■ Is encouraged to ask questions
■ Scribbles, colors, paints and does ■ Is encouraged to solve problems
other activities that help develop small ■ Has opportunities to notice similarities
muscles and differences
■ Is encouraged to sort and classify things
Social & Emotional Preparation
■ Is learning to write his/her name
My child:
and address
■ Is learning to try new things
■ Is learning to count and play
■ Is learning to work well alone and
counting games
to do many tasks independently
■ Is learning to identify and name shapes
■ Has many opportunities to be with
and colors
other children and is learning to
■ Has opportunities to draw and to
cooperate with them
be creative
■ Is curious and motivated to learn
■ Has opportunities to listen to and
■ Is learning to finish tasks
make music and to dance
■ Is learning to use self-control
■ Has opportunities to get first-hand
■ Can follow simple instructions
experiences and to do things in the
■ Helps with family chores
world — to see and touch objects, hear
■ Is learning to use words to identify and
new sounds, smell and taste foods
express emotions
Rhyme
• Rhymes are words that sound word: “Hickory, Dickory, Dock. The
the same at the end. Introducing mouse ran up the (clock) .”
children to rhymes and rhyming • As your child becomes more
Time words gives children a head start in
reading and spelling.
• Read or say Mother Goose
familiar with the rhymes, encourage
them to join in and say parts of
the rhyme themselves (it will take
rhymes with your child. After a while before they can recite the
you’ve read one a few times, ask whole rhyme independently).
your child to complete the rhyme • Make up rhyming guessing games.
with the correct For example, “Listen; mop and top
sound the same. Find a word that
M ARCH
rhymes with mop.”
• Read rhyming books such as Dr.
2020 Suess and Llama, Llama books.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Read Across
America 2 3 4 5 6 National
Cereal Day: 7
Create letters
Remember to
using pieces
visit your
of cereal and
local library
talk about
this month to
them with
borrow
your child.
nursery
rhyme books.
Daylight
Savings Time 8 Sing the ABC
song. 9 10 11 Read two
books today. 12 Bake cookies
together. 13 With your
child, play “I 14
Begins If your child Count the Spy with my
is able, have number on little eye
Read a him/her tell each tray. something
simple poem you which is that rhymes
with your his or her with _____.”
child. favorite and
why.
Have your
child practice 15 16 St. Patrick’s
Day 17 Count to 50
(or higher) 18 Spring
Begins 19 Read a book
with your 20 Find things
that begin 21
jumping, together with child. Have with the first
hopping on Say the your Name a letter them hold letter of your
one foot, and wrong words preschooler. and have the book and child’s name.
throwing and to a familiar Count to 10 your child find turn the
catching a song or with your items pages if she
ball. rhyme and let infant or beginning or he is able.
your child toddler. with that
correct you. sound.
Continue
teaching your 22 23 Take a walk
and look for 24 Find things
around the 25 Pick objects
around your 26 Make up silly
words that 27 Schedule a
physical, 28
older child signs of house that house that rhyme with vision and
his or her spring. Talk begin with rhyme: rock- your child’s dental exam
phone about them the sound of sock; hat-cat; name. for your child.
number and with your the letter “J.” chair-bear.
address. child.
Teach your
infant or
toddler his/
her whole
name.
Practice
opposites 29 Sing songs
with rhyming 30 National
Crayon Day: 31
with your words. Talk about
child (up/ colors you
down, in/out, see with your
over/under). child.
Seville
Township
Library
Riverdale, Michigan
Good • Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman, Illustrations by Pamela Zagarenski
• The Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak
books • Tanka Tanka Skunk: Rhythm and Rhyme by Steve Webb
to read • Ol’ Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein
with your • Cock-A-Doodle-Doo, Creak, Pop-pop, Moo by Jim Aylesworth, Illustrations by Brad Sneed
child: • Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray, Illustrations by Jim Field
• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
• Make Way for Readers by Judy Sierra, Illustrations by G. Brian Karas
• Ah Ha! by Jeff Mack
Technology
• Preview age-appropriate TV • Talk to your child about being kind • Set time limits on all
programs, videos, music, and respectful (online and offline). electronics.
computer games, websites and • 0 to 18 months — no screen time
as a apps to be sure they teach what
you want your child to learn.
(TV, tablets, phones) except for
video chatting.
Teaching
• Turn devices off (or on vibrate) • 2 to 5 years — limit screen time
during dinner and driving time. to 1 hour per day of high-quality
Tool
• Make your child’s bedroom a no programs (like Sesame Street).
screen zone. Parents should watch with their
• Talk to your child about staying children & talk about what they see.
safe online by not sharing • 6+ years — place consistent limits
APRIL
personal information with others. on total screen time. Make sure
screen time does not take the place
2020 of adequate sleep or physical activity.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
April Fools’
Day 1 Library Day!
Let your child
2 Practice
writing 3 Keep the TV
off today. 4
Talk to your numbers Read books
pick out a
child about 6-10. and play
video the
when their games
whole family
birthday is instead.
will enjoy.
Alma and how old
Public they are.
Library
Alma, Michigan
Read two
books every 5 6 Name letters
and point at 7 Passover
Begins at 8 Practice
writing the 9 Good Friday
Take a walk
10 Patriot Day
Play shape
11
day. Have them on Sunset ABCs.
and talk scavenger
your child cereal boxes,
Paint or draw about the hunt. (“Find
choose the cans, or
a picture different something
books. wherever.
today. sounds you that is round,
hear. find
something
that is oval,”
etc.)
Easter
Sunday 12 Take a walk
and talk 13 Library Day!
Bring a friend
14 15 Talk about
kitchen safety 16 17 Use
descriptive 18
about the together. words when
to the library
colors of talking to
and check
plants and your child.
out a movie
flowers. (“The peach
together.
is soft.”)
19 20 Is your child
happy or 21 Earth Day
Go for a walk
22 First Day of
Ramadan 23 24 Sing a
favorite song 25
afraid? Talk with your
to them and pick up Create a child.
about how trash. Talk to story with
they feel. your child your child.
about why
this is
important.
Color or
create 26 Practice
writing 27 Practice
printing by 28 29 Put on music
and dance 30
something numbers tracing the and clap to
together. 1-10. letters of the beat with
your child’s your child.
name on a
piece of
paper.
Good Books Websites
books • Bedtime Is Canceled by Cece Meng, • www.pbskids.org
Illustrations by Aurélie Neyret • www.pbs.org/parents
to read • See How They Grow series from DK and Sony Wonder
• Hello! Hello! by Matthew Cordell
with your • Tea With Grandpa by Barney Saltzberg • PBS Series (Sid the Science Kid, Super WHY, WordWorld)
child: • Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino
• Blackout by John Rocco
• Look! by Jeff Mack
Play
• Turn household chores into learning the pattern: red, yellow, black, red, … of water outside on a hot summer day
games — match socks as you fold what comes next? filled with measuring spoons and cups.
laundry or line up canned goods by • Children can help set the table. Extend
AND size. These activities can build math
and cooperation skills. Feeling useful
their memory by giving 3 step directions
(Please get the milk from the refrigerator.
Learn
also helps children feel good which Set it on the table. Get the napkins).
encourages them to continue to want • Make matching pairs of cards with
to be helpful. stickers, drawings or pictures cut
• Use LEGOS® to create color from magazines.
patterns. Have your child continue • Play seek and find. “Find something
yellow in the kitchen.” “Find
M AY
something that is square.”
• Pour and measure together in the
2020 kitchen, the bathtub or use a bucket
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Play Simon
Says. Focus 1 Encourage
your child to 2
on exercise say “please”
activities and “thank
(hopping, you” today.
Saginaw bending over,
Chippewa touching
toes).
Tribal
Library
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
3 Count from
1 to 10 or as 4 Cinco de
Mayo 5 Look through
old 6 Library Day!
7 Have your
child name 8 Visit the zoo
or read a 9
high as your magazines words that book about
Go outside
child can and cut out rhyme animals with
and play
count. circles, with “can.” your child.
catch.
squares, and
rectangles.
Talk about
the
differences.
Mother’s Day
10 Help your
child practice 11 Practice
writing 12 Color a
picture 13 Practice
singing the 14 Help a
neighbor 15 Sort socks
into groups 16
shoe tying. numbers together. Cut ABC song. today. Talk to by color
1–10. it into puzzle your child or size.
pieces and about giving
try to put it and getting
back together help.
with your
child.
Black Week:
look for 17 Write the
names of 18 After listening
to a story, 19 Find things
around the 20 Library Day!
Ask your
21 Play a game
together such 22 Squirt water
on the 23
things that people in talk with your house that as Memory, sidewalk and
librarian to
are black this your family. child about are square, Go Fish, time how
recommend a
week. what circular, and Peekaboo, or long it takes
Caldecott
happened rectangular. Itsy Bitsy to evaporate.
Medal
first, next, Talk to your Spider. Ask, “How
children’s
and last. child about long do you
book to read
the think it will
together.
differences. take?”
24 Memorial
Day 25 Help your
child write 26 Play "I Spy."
(Remember 27 Play
hopscotch. 28 Make up
nonsense 29 30
his/her to include rhymes and
name. black laugh
objects.) together with
your child.
Talk to your
child about 31 Good
books
• Let’s Count Goats by Mem Fox, Illustrations by Jan Thomas
• Drum Girl Dream: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle, Illustrations
the steps in
by Rafael López
planting to read • Dog’s Colorful Day by Emma Dodd
something.
with your • Let’s Play! by Hervé Tullet
child: • How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo Se Dice? by Angela Dominguez
• Big Bug by Henry Cole
• Brown Rabbit’s Shape Book by Alan Baker
Critical
• Cut out pictures or gather items ask questions as you mix and stir inside. Don’t pull the item out but
that go together and ask your child and bake. “What will happen when feel it and try to guess what it is.
to match: shoe & sock; flower & we add this milk to the flour?”
Thinking, vase; car & tire; fork & spoon, etc. “What will happen to the frosting
• When your child becomes frustrated when I add this drop of food
Problem
while playing a game or playing coloring?”
with a friend, refrain from jumping • Ask your child for their opinion on
simple problems such as “Should
in and solving the problem. Instead,
Solving
we wash the car or take a walk?”
ask questions and guide your child
Then follow up with “Why?” Or in
by asking “How did that happen?” the grocery store ask “Chicken or
and “What can you do differently?” fish for dinner?”
JUNE
• Cook in the kitchen together and • Hide common objects from the
house in a box or bag. Ask your
2020 child to close his/her eyes and reach
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Find things
that begin 1 Start a
nursery 2 Show your
child how to 3 Practice
writing 4 Play a
matching 5 Go outside
and show 6
with the rhyme and stop, drop, numbers game like your child
sound of the have your and roll for 1-20 in the Memory or how to repeat
letter “S.” child finish it. fire safety. air, in sand, Go Fish. patterns:
Say the name in shaving step-step-
of each item cream, etc. jump-clap-
emphasizing clap-pat, etc.
the “S”
sound.
White Week:
Look for 7 Has your
child had a 8 Work on a
puzzle 9 Show your
child how to 10 Talk to your
child about 11 Bake a cake
together 12 Plant flowers
together in a 13
things that physical and together. stop, drop, good touch today. pot or in the
are white this dental exam? and roll for and bad ground and
week with fire safety. touch. water the
your child. flowers.Flag Day
Have a play
14 Match socks
with your 15 Have you
scheduled an 16 Cut up an old
greeting card 17 Count groups
of ten using a 18 Blow bubbles
with your 19 Summer
Begins 20
child as you eye exam for in puzzle- cereal like child.
date/find a Draw a
fold laundry. your child? like shapes. Cheerios™.
play group. picture with
Talk about Work with
your child of
how they are your child to
fun things
the same/ fit the p
ieces
to do in the
different. back
summer.
together.
Father’s Day
Practice
21 Going to
preschool or 22 As you pick
out fruits and 23 Take a walk
and talk with 24 Let your child
set the table. 25 Make a picnic
lunch with 26 Draw shapes
outside using 27
kindergarten vegetables at your child Point out that your child sidewalk
pouring water
in the fall? the grocery about what you need the and eat chalk.
into empty
Continue store, name you both see. same number outside.
containers
teaching your the colors of plates,
outside, in
child his or with your cups, spoons,
the bathtub,
her phone child. etc.
shower, etc.
number and
address.
Find small
scoops, cups, 28 Start a
nursery 29 Read a story
to your child. 30
and balls rhyme and Point to each
around the have your word as you
house. Use child finish it. read.
them for
water play Shepherd
outside. Community
Library
Shepherd, Michigan
Good • Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, Illustrations by Jon Klassen
books • Up! Tall! And High! by Ethan Long
• What’s Up Bear? by Frieda Wishinsky
to read • Have You Seen My Trumpet? by Michaël Escoffier, Illustrations by Kris Di Giacomo
with your • Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan A. Shea, Illustrations by Tom Slaughter
child: • You Are Not Small by Anna Kang, Illustrations by Christopher Weyant
• Flora and the Peacocks by Molly Idle
• Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm by Jonathan London, Illustrations by Andrew JoynerAll
• Make a book by stapling or tying blank pages together with yarn.
• Find photos of your child to put in the book. Give them magazines to cut out
pictures of things they like.
About • Ask your child questions and write the question and their exact answer in the book:
My name is _____________________________; I like to _________________________;
Me!
My favorite food is _______________________________; My favorite color is
_______________________; I like it when my mom _________________________; etc
• Make another page of personal information your child should know and p ractice
this often: My name is____________________________; I am a ___________________;
I was born on ____________________________________________________________;
My address is ________________________________________________________;
JULY
My phone number is __________________________________________________;
I’m allergic to ____________________________________________;
2020 In an emergency I should call ___________________________; etc
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Find blank
paper, staple 1 Help your
child draw a 2 Help your
child write 3 Independence
Day 4
it together picture of the your cell
Celebrate the
and label it family in the phone
holiday by
“All About book. Label number in
making
Me” to make the people in their book,
lemonade
a book! your family. and practice
Howe saying it.
together.
Memorial
Library
Breckenridge, Michigan
Help your
child write 5 Cut out
numbers 6 Practice
saying your 7 Take a walk
and count 8 Take a walk
and count 9 Take a walk
and count 10 Make up a
“secret 11
their address from a address. things that things that things that handshake”
in their book magazine are red. are white. are blue. with your
and draw a that match child and
picture of the numbers practice it.
where they in their
live. address.Eat a red
apple, yellow 12 Cut out
pictures of 13 When you are
at the store, 14 Talk about
community 15 16 Talk about
the houses 17 Library Day!
18
banana or a things you count the helpers on your
blueberry. like to do and number of (police, street. How
put them in red objects firefighters, are they the
your book. you see with etc). same, how
your child. are they
different?
19 Hop like a
bunny! Count 20 Practice
naming 21 Practice
saying your 22 Walk to the
end of your 23 Put the date
you were 24 25
how many opposites, phone driveway with born in your
times you like on/off, number AND your child. All About Me
can hop. up/down, address with Count your book.
Can you hop front/back, your child. steps as you
10 times in a etc. with your walk.
row? child.
Put the city
where you 26 Share your
book with 3 27 28 Cut out
pictures of 29 30 Have your
child practice 31
were born in people today! things you saying your
your All About like to eat. phone
Me book. Talk Put them in number.
about your book.
interesting
things about
the city.
Good • Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña,
books Illustrations by Christian Robinson
• What I Like About Me by Allia Zobel Nolan, Illustrations by Miki Sakamoto
to read • The Family Book by Todd Parr
with your • Fred Stays with Me! by Nancy Coffelt, Illustrations by Tricia Tusa
child: • Bigmama’s by Donald Crews
• I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont, Illustrations by David Catrow
• Be Who You Are by Todd Parr
• I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem
by Jamie Lee Curtis, Illustrations by Laura CornellGet
• Before the first day of school, choose • Talk about the kinds of things they
school supplies and label them. will be doing at school.
• Play school together and take turns • Visit your child’s school and explore
Ready! being the teacher.
• Eat a meal from a lunch box or tray.
Show your child how to clean up and
the classroom and playground.
• Create a healthy routine that allows
time for family meal, homework,
open milk/juice cartons. play, bath, teeth brushing and a
• Two weeks before school starts, adjust bedtime story.
your child’s bed time to what it will be • Practice zippers, buttons, opening
during the school year. backpack, putting on tennis shoes.
Not all children have mastered shoe
AUGUS T
tying by the first day of school and
that’s okay. Just remember to practice
2020 once in a while.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Play “I Spy
Colors.” 1
Ashley
District
Library
Ashley, Michigan
Talk about
silly sounds 2 Read a book
with your 3 Practice
zipping, 4 Make extra
time to 5 6 Library Day!
7 Read your
child’s 8
in the child. buttoning and snuggle favorite book
environment. getting today. as often as
dressed in they want.
the morning.Practice
bouncing a 9 Draw a
picture 10 11 Count how
many purple 12 Look for
things that 13 Cut pictures
out of 14 15
ball. Count together. Talk items you begin with magazines
the number about it. have around the letter “P.” and talk
of bounces. Write what the house. Point out the about them.
your child letter “P”
says. in print.
Play with ice
cubes 16 Practice
taking turns 17 Talk about
your day at 18 19 Help your
child write 20 Read an
extra book. 21 Play dress up
with your 22
outside. and sharing. dinner. his/her name Spend child and let
Predict how and identify extra time them direct
fast they will each letter. snuggling. the play.
melt. Talk
about what
happens.
Make a tent
inside with 23 Name all the
foods on your 24 Use addition
and 25 26 27 Put together
a puzzle with 28 29
your child plate. What is subtraction your child.
and read your favorite? words like “I Talk about
books in it. have one what they see
cookie and in it.
you have two
cookies. That
makes three
cookies.”
Help your
child find 30 Point to
pictures in 31 Good
books
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
words that books —
• Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman
rhyme with help your to read • How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen
“me.” child describe
the picture.
with your • Monkey Not Ready for Kindergarten by Marc Brown
child: • Mission: Back to School: Top-Secret Information by Susan
Hood, Illustrations by Mary Lundquist
• Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten! by Hyewon Yum
• School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, Illustrations by
Christian RobinsonBack
• It’s never too early to start reading • Hold your child as you read to help repetition so it’s okay if they want
to your child! Even newborns learn develop a positive attitude toward you to read the same books over and
from hearing you read to them. reading. over!
to • Store your child’s books in a special
place that’s easy to reach such as a
• Talk about the story as you read. Ask
questions, point out details in the
School!
basket, drawer or a low shelf. pictures.
• Get a library card for your child (and • Ask your child to tell you everything
yourself if you don’t already have one). they remember about the book you
• Find a place to read together away just read.
from distractions. • Talk about characters as you read
together.
SE P T E MBE R
• Children enjoy and learn by
2020
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Do a finger
play such as 1 Practice
writing your 2 Count out
loud with your 3 Woo hoo! You
are doing 4 Sing a
nursery 5
“Itsy Bitsy child’s name child every great! rhyme with
Spider” with together. day while your child.
your younger Name each reading,
child or play letter as you cooking and
a board game write it. shopping.
with your
older child.
Yellow Week:
Look for 6 Labor Day
7 Pick a new
book and 8 9 Go for a walk
with your 10 Check out
events at 11 Library Day!
12
things that encourage child. Talk your local
are yellow your child to about what library.
this week and guess what you see.
talk about the story will
them. be about by
looking at the
cover.Grandparents’
Day 13 Play a
matching 14 Look through
magazines 15 16 Help your
child use the 17 Way to be a
great parent! 18 Practice
counting from 19
game or and books to pictures in a 1 to 10 by
match things find things book to tell playing
you have that are the story. hopscotch or
around the yellow and jumping
house. have your together.
child pick one
she likes
best.
20 21 Autumn
Begins 22 Name foods
that begin 23 Practice
writing your 24 25 26
with the child’s name
same sound. together.
Name the
letter.
27 Talk about
book 28 29 Look for
words that 30
characters as begin with
you read the same
together. first letter
using books, T.A.
magazines & Cutler
newspapers.
Memorial
Library
St. Louis, Michigan
Good • Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
books • Goodnight Moon Board Book by Margaret Wise Brown
• Touch and Feel Baby Animals by Scholastic
to read • The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
with your • Baby Faces by Joseph Eleyinte
child: • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
• Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed by Eileen Christelow
• This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard ByrneFall Harvest
• Draw pictures together about family events, daily
experiences, etc.
• Praise your child’s efforts with high 5’s or telling them
“well done.” Perfection is not the goal.
• Plan a healthy meal together and make a grocery list.
• Pick a letter sound and find things that begin with that
letter, etc.
• Keep 2-3 books in the car for your child to look at while
traveling or for you to read to them at an appointment.
OC TOBE R 2020
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Show your
child how to 1 Physical
activity day! 2 Library Day!
Make friends
3
write his or Do something
with the
her name physical with
librarian.
using upper- your child.
Faith and lower- Dance, sing,
case letters. or go for a
Johnston walk.
Memorial
Library
Rosebush, Michigan
Orange Week:
Look for 4 Child Health
Day 5 While
outdoors, 6 Read your
favorite 7 Talk about
fall and have 8 Take your
child for a 9 10
things that allow your children’s your child walk and
are orange Immunization child to draw draw a
book to your collect leaves
this week. check — is on the picture of a
child. that are
your child up sidewalk with tree. different
to date? Talk chalk. kinds/colors.
to your child
Talk about
about healthy
the
things.
differences.Draw letters
on a window 11 Columbus
Day 12 13 Practice
saying letters 14 Read a book
using a funny 15 Draw a
picture using 16 Sort or count
things like 17
or mirror with (observed) and numbers voice. your feet, socks,
dry erase while in the rather than canned
Cut pictures
markers. Say tub. your hands. soups,
of expressive
what letter it buttons, etc.
faces from
is and the
magazines
sound it
and make a
makes.
feelings
collage.
Practice
buttoning. 18 Arrange a
playdate for 19 Read your
favorite book 20 Count steps
as you walk 21 Make the bed
together. 22 Practice tying
shoes. 23 Practice
zipping. 24
your child. to your child. with your
child.
Read a fire
safety book. 25 Talk about
your family’s 26 27 Do jumping
jacks 28 Clap your
hands to the 29 30 Halloween
Encourage
31
fire safety together. beat of a
your child
plan. Count as you song today.
to say
do them.
“thank you”
while trick-or-
treating.
Good • Go to Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing, Illustrations by Sylvie Kantorovitz
• Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet
books • Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter
to read • The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, Illustrations by Oliver Jeffers
with your • Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (also available in Spanish)
child: • Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
• Monster Trouble by Lane Fredrickson, Illustrations by Michael Robertson
• Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman
• Chalk by Bill ThompsonThankful
• Save plastic water or soda • Toss bean bags or socks in a
bottles to use as bowling basket.
pins. • Visit a safe outdoor space
• Take your child for a walk so you can run and play
and talk about what you see, together.
hear or smell. • Balance books on your head
• Teach your child games like while walking.
“Hokey Pokey,” “Red-light, • Suggest your child try to
Green-light,” and “Simon move like different animals:
Says.” hop like a rabbit, slither like
a snake, fly like a bird.
NOV E MBE R 2020
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
All Saints’
Day 1 Go for a walk
and find 3 2 Election Day
3 Have a
dance party. 4 Have your
child tell a 5 Teach your
child the ABC 6 Practice
saying your 7
things that story to a song. phone
Daylight are red, 3 family number and
Savings Time things that member or address with
Ends are orange, 3 tell your child your child.
things that a story from
Have your are yellow your
child help you and 3 things childhood.
turn clocks that are
back one brown.
hour.
Ask your child
to predict the 8 Hum or sing
a song as 9 Help your
child draw a 10 Veterans
Day 11 Look in
books and 12 Make a
picture or 13 Walk and talk
about the 14
end of a you pick up picture or magazines decoration for shapes and
Talk about
story before toys together. write a note for different Thanksgiving sizes of
hometown
you read it. to a family facial together. objects you
heroes.
member expressions: see. Look in
about happy, sad, your house,
something excited, at the park,
he/she is scared, etc. at the store
thankful for. Talk about or in the car.
the
differences.Practice
saying your 15 Make a
necklace 16 Show your
child how to 17 Go to the
grocery store 18 Read a
Thanksgiving 19 Go outside
and kick a 20 Library Day!
21
phone using dental set the table. and have story (www. ball back and
number and floss and Talk about your child mel.org/ forth with
address. cereal like what you are help pick kids). your child.
Cheerios™. doing and items for
why. Thanksgiving.
Play a game
with your 22 Exercise with
your child. 23 Sing the
ABC song. 24 Put on some
music and 25 Thanksgiving
Day 26 Practice
saying your 27 Help your
child draw a 28
child by trying Count the dance with phone picture of
to rhyme number of your child Tell your child number and your family.
everything arm circles or and a friend 3 things you address. Talk about
you say. hops. or other are thankful the number
family for and ask of people.
members. them to do
the same.
Do the Hokey
Pokey today. 29 30
Thompson
Home Public
Library
Ithaca, Michigan
Good • I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison, Illustrations by Frank Morrison
books • Ninja! by Arree Chung
• From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
to read • On the Ball by Brian Pinkney
with your • My Daddy is a Pretzel by Baron Baptiste, Illustrations by Sophie Fatus
child: • Move Your Mood! by Brenda S. Miles, Illustrations by Holly Clifton-Brown
• Spunky Little Monkey by Bill Martin, Illustrations by Brian Won
• Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan ThomasHappy
• Make a name card for each • Invite your child to “read” familiar the ABC song slowly and have your
member of your family. Help your fast food, grocery store, and other child touch each letter as you go.
child place them at the dinner table business signs as you run errands.
Holidays! where everyone sits.
• Use Dollar Store letter magnets on
the refrigerator or a cookie sheet
• Read alphabet books and
encourage your child to name the
letters on each page that he or she
to spell your child’s name. recognizes.
• Place alphabet letters in a • Read a book together then ask
container. Pull them out one at a your child to go back and look
time and name them. for a certain letter of the alphabet
found in the story.
DECE MBE R
• Write the alphabet on paper. Sing
2020
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Help your
older child 1 Have your
older child 2 Help your
older child 3 Get up and
dance 4 Library Day!
5
build his/her practice tying practice together!
name using his/her saying your
magnetic shoes. Help phone
letters. Spell your younger number.
Tate your younger child dress Count out
Memorial child’s name dolls or loud with your
Library our loud to stuffed infant or
Blanchard, Michigan him/her. animals. toddler.
Green Week:
Look for 6 Rhyme time:
What rhymes 7 Read a
holiday story 8 Practice
stretching 9 Hanukkah
Begins at 10 Make animal
noises and 11 Make cookies
with your 12
things that with black? at bedtime. and wiggling Sundown then have child to share
are green this Come up with fingers and your child as a gift.
week and rhyming toes. guess what Count the
name them. words with animals number of
your child. make those cookies as
noises. you take
them off the
cooled cookie
sheet.Red Week:
Look for 13 Find food
items or 14 Find a book
about your 15 Talk about
the family 16 Library Day!
Count the
17 Hanukkah
Ends 18 Sing the ABC
song, loud 19
things that animals that favorite safety plan and soft.
are red this begin with animal. and what to months in the
week. the same do if there is year.
letter as your a fire.
child’s first
name.
White Week:
Look for 20 Winter
Begins 21 Count to 20
or higher 22 Dance to
your child’s 23 Christmas
Eve 24 Christmas
Day! 25 Kwanzaa
Begins 26
things that using silly favorite song
are white this voices. with him or
week. her.
Talk about
the week’s 27 Take a walk
inside or 28 29 Tell a story or
make a story 30 New Year’s
Eve 31
planned outside and together.
Have a
activities with talk about
pretend
your child. what you see,
countdown to
smell and
midnight
hear.
earlier in the
day (for
example at
noon).
Good • Yoko Finds Her Way by Rosemary Wells
books • 8: An Animal Alphabet by Elisha Cooper
• Creature ABC by Andrew Zuckerman
to read • LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
with your • Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
child: • Z is for Moose by Kelly L. Bingham, Illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky
• Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! by Mike Twohy
• Alpha Oops! by Alethea Kontis
• Alphabet Under Construction by Denise FlemingWinter
• Picture Walk: Look at a book and • Hold up 5 fingers in front of your • Sort: “Let’s put all the yellow pieces
talk about the pictures on each page. child then quickly hide your hand. in this pile.”
• Use math words such as more, less; Ask, “How many fingers did you see?”
Wonder- longer, shorter; heavy, light; etc.
• Count out LOUD every day. Start
• Name and describe shapes when
you see them: “That is a square
land
at 1 and count as you walk, put napkin,” “That box of cereal is a
plates on the table, add apples to rectangle,” “That tire is a circle.”
your grocery cart. Ask your child • Count: “Let’s count the blocks.”
to count with you. Pause and ask, • Compare: “Which plate has more
“What number comes next?” crackers?”
• Explore: “Let’s go on a shape hunt
JA NUARY
— can you find circles?”
• Question: “I wonder how many cars
2021 we can fit in this basket?”
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
New Year’s
Day 1 Have your
child divide a 2
snack evenly
Kwanzaa to share.
Ends
Fremont
Township
Community
Library
Winn, Michigan
Sing some of
your child’s 3 Practice
counting 4 Act out a
favorite story 5 Scavenger
hunt for 6 Play the
“Simon Says” 7 Find things
around the 8 Library Day!
Look for
9
favorite objects to 10 with your shapes game with house that
(or higher!). child. Use around the your child. begin with winter books.
songs
(YouTube has puppets, house. Talk the same
many simple dolls or about the letter sound.
songs for stuffed shapes you Name the
young animals. find. letter and
children). make the
sound.Blue Week:
Look for 10 Go on a
winter walk. 11 Label the
parts of your 12 Teach your
child to play 13 Make a
pattern using 14 Make or draw
a snowman 15 16
things that Talk about child’s a board game food items. with your
are blue this what you see favorite toy. with a friend. child.
week. and what you
hear.
Build a
snowman. 17 Martin
Luther King, 18 Make a
grocery list. 19 Sort laundry
together. 20 Look at
family 21 22 Make a piggy
bank together 23
Talk about Jr. Day Ask if each Match socks, pictures out of a
what to do item is a identify colors together and coffee can
first, second, Recite fruit, a and textures. talk about and start
and so on. nursery vegetable, a them. saving coins.
rhymes with meat, etc.
your child.
Play “I Spy
Numbers.” 24 Point out
numbers 25 Make a
counting 26 Using a
newspaper 27 Help your
child make 28 Library Day!
29 30
around town as book with article, circle his/her
you run your child. words that favorite
errands. begin with sandwich.
the first letter Talk about
of your child’s the steps
first name. needed to
make it.
Read two
books today. 31 Good
books
• Dog Loves Counting by Louise Yates
• Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, Illustrations by Kevin Cornell
• 20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street by Mark Lee, Illustrations by Kurt Cyrus
to read • One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano, Illustrations by Kat Whelan
with your • City Shapes by Diana Murray, Illustrations by Bryan Collier
child: • One Two That’s My Shoe! by Alison Murray
• Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrations by Lois Ehlert
• Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, Illustrations by James Dean
• Is That Wise Pig? by Jan Thomas
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack KeatsLive,
• Teach calming techniques when you • As you read together, ask your child • Talk about situations and how they
see your child becoming upset. “Stop, to tell you what he or she sees in might make people feel happy, sad,
take a deep breath, relax,” etc. each picture. frustrated, angry, scared, etc.
Love, • Turn off the music/movies in the car
and talk about where you are going,
• Ask your child to predict what will
happen before you turn the page.
Laugh
what you are going to do and what • Ask your child to draw you a picture
might happen when you get there. and then tell you about it.
• Turn off the TV and put down the • Model sympathy and caring for
phone at meal times. Talk about what others, “Dad isn’t feeling well. Let’s
you did or are going to do today. make him some soup.”
• Encourage your child to talk about
F E BRUARY
and label his or her feelings.
2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Dental Health
Month: Talk 1 Groundhog
Day 2 Make up a
song that 3 Hide a book
in a place 4 Play a game
as a family. 5 Look outside
and talk 6
to your health includes your your child can about what
care provider child’s name. find. Give you see.
about caring them clues,
for your “Look in the
child’s teeth. place where
you hang your
coat,” “Look
in a place
where you
eat,” etc.
Read a book
about 7 Find 5 things
around the 8 Practice
using 9 Read a story
and ask your 10 Make a meal
together. Talk 11 Chinese
New Year 12 Make a list of
people you 13
feelings. Talk house that “please” and child what about the love and talk
about when begin with “thank you.” their favorite ingredients about why
you the sound of part was and and how to you love
experience the letter why. make it. them.
those “M.” Say the
feelings. name of each
item
emphasizing
the sound.Valentine’s
Day 14 Presidents’
Day 15 Read a book
that talks 16 Work on a
puzzle 17 Sing the ABC
song and 18 Before your
child goes to 19 Count all the
doors and 20
about together. dance as you bed, recap windows in
Use the list emotions. sing! your day. your home.
you made Practice “First I woke
yesterday to facial up, then I
make a photo expressions had
album of for the breakfast,
people you emotions. next we….”
love that your “This is what
child can a happy face
picture read. looks like.”
Count out
loud to 100 21 Use a spoon
and bowl to 22 Let your child
choose the 23 Play a board
game or card 24 Play musical
chairs. Make 25 Have your
child invite a 26 Zip up! Take
your child for 27
while waiting tap out the location for game with a fort using friend over to a walk and
in line, beat to your reading a your child. furniture and play. invite your
driving, etc. favorite song. book (in the sheets. Play child’s friend.
This bathtub, inside with
repetition will under the your child.
help build bed, in the
your child’s hall closet,
number etc!).
knowledge.
Going to
preschool or 28
kindergarten
in the fall?
Remember to
check with
your school Veterans
for Memorial
kindergarten Library
registration
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
dates.
Good • Starring Me and You by Geneviéve Côté
• Sadly Ever After? by Elise Allen, Illustrations by Daniel Holland
books • Maya Was Grumpy by Courtney Pippin-Mathur
to read • Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer
with your • Llama, Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
child: •G rump Groan Growl by Bell Hooks, Illustrations by Chris Raschka
• Wild Feelings by David Milgrim
• I Used to Be Afraid by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
• My Friend Is Sad by Mo WillemsKindergarten Registration Information
All parents/legal guardians of children All students entering kindergarten
who will be five years of age on or before must provide documentation of current VACCINES REQUIRED FOR
September 1 are encouraged to register immunizations prior to starting school. SCHOOL ENTRY IN MICHIGAN
their child for Kindergarten. During disease outbreaks,
Whenever children are brought into incompletely vaccinated students may
Kindergarten registration begins group settings, there is a chance for be excluded from school. Parents and
as early as March 1 for some schools. diseases to spread. Students must follow guardians choosing to decline vaccines
Check with your local school district for state vaccine laws in order to attend must obtain a certified non-medical
waiver from a local health department.
kindergarten registration information. school. These laws are the minimum
The following schedule from
In most cases, the parent/legal standard to help prevent disease
the CDC will ensure that the state
guardian will need to bring the following outbreaks in school settings. requirements are met.
for Kindergarten registration: It is recommended that you make Required Vaccines for all
• Child’s official birth certificate sure that your child’s immunizations Kindergartners or 4 - 6 year old
transfer students
are up to date by April or even earlier!
• Proof of residency (required for
Students who do not have an up-to-date Diphtheria, 4 doses DTP or
all registrants) – copy of signed
immunization by the first day of school Tetanus, Pertussis DTaP. 1 dose must
mortgage, contract to build, or lease (DTP, DTaP) be at or after
may not be allowed to attend school.
agreement showing the owner/ age 4
resident’s name and address OR TWO Polio 4 doses (or 3
of the following items: doses if dose 3
was given at, or
➤ Utility bills which have the name after, age 4)
and address of the registrant Measles, Mumps, 2 doses at or
➤ Valid driver’s license or state Rubella (MMR)* after 12 months
ID card Hepatitis B* 2 doses
➤ Voter registration card Varicella 2 doses after 12
(Chicken Pox)* months of age or
➤ State medical card
current lab immunity
➤ Notarized affidavit of residency or history of
varicella disease.
from the parent or person with
whom the child is residing, *If the student has not received these
affirming that the child eats and vaccines, documented immunity is required.
sleeps at the residenceLibraries in gratiot and isabella counties
GRATIOT COUNTY ISABELLA COUNTY — CHIPPEWA OTHER ISABELLA COUNTY LIBRARIES
RIVER DISTRICT LIBRARY SYSTEM
• Alma Public Library • Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries
500 E. Superior St. • Veterans Memorial Library 7070 E. Broadway
301 S. University Ave.
Alma, MI 48801 Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 463-3966 (989) 775-4508
(989) 773-3242
• Ashley District Library • Sherman Township Library
• Faith Johnston Memorial Library
104 New St. 3453 N. School Rd.
4035 N. Mission
P.O. Box 6 P.O. Box 147 Weidman, MI 48893
Ashley, MI 48806 Rosebush, MI 48878 (989) 644-5131
(989) 847-4283 ext. 1007 (989) 433-0006
• Howe Memorial Library • Tate Memorial Library
128 E. Saginaw St. 324 Main St.
P.O. Box 398 P.O. Box 39
Breckenridge, MI 48615 Blanchard, MI 49310
(989) 842-3202 (989) 561-2480
• Seville Township Public Library • Shepherd Community Library
6734 N. Lumberjack Rd. 257 W. Wright Ave.
P.O. Box 160 P.O. Box 463
Shepherd, MI 48883
Riverdale, MI 48877
(989) 824-6801
(989) 833-7776
• Fremont Township Community Library
• T.A. Cutler Memorial Library
7959 S. Winn Rd.
312 Michigan Ave. P.O. Box 368
Saint Louis, MI 48880 Winn, MI 48896
(989) 681-5141 (989) 866-2550
• Thompson Home Public Library • Mt. Pleasant High School Media Center
125 W. Center St. 1155 S. Elizabeth Rd.
Ithaca, MI 48847 Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 875-4184 (989) 775-2200GRATIOT AND ISABELLA COUNTY Elementary Schools
ALMA SCHOOLS BEAL CITY SCHOOLS FULTON SCHOOLS MOUNT PLEASANT Saginaw Chippewa Academy
www.almaschools.net www.bealcityschools.net www.fultonpirates.net SCHOOLS (K-5)
7498 E. Broadway Rd.
Luce Road Early Childhood Beal City Elementary (K-6) Fulton Elementary (K-6) www.mtpleasantschools.net
Mt. Pleasant, MI
Learning Center (PreK-1) 3100 W. Beal City Rd. 8060 Ely Hwy Ganiard Elementary (K-2) www.sagchipschool.net
6265 N. Luce Rd. Mt. Pleasant, MI Middleton, MI 101 S. Adams St. (989) 775-4453
Alma, MI (989) 644-3901 (989) 236-7234 Mt. Pleasant, MI
(989) 463-1012 (989) 775-2240 SHEPHERD PUBLIC
St. Joseph the Worker (K-6)
Hillcrest Elementary School 2091 N. Winn Rd. ITHACA SCHOOLS Pullen Elementary (K-2) SCHOOLS
(2-3) Mt. Pleasant, MI www.ithacaschools.net 251 S. Brown St. www.shepherdschools.net
515 Elizabeth St. www.bealcityparish.org Mt. Pleasant, MI
(989) 644-2041
Ithaca South Elementary (K-2) Shepherd Elementary School
Alma, MI 400 Webster St. (989) 775-2270
(989) 463-3113 Ithaca, MI (K-5)
BRECKENRIDGE Vowles Elementary (K-2) 301 S. Fourth St.
Pine Avenue Elementary (989) 875-4741 1560 S. Watson St. Shepherd, MI
School (4-5) COMMUNITY Ithaca North Elementary (3-6) Mt. Pleasant, MI (989) 828-6601
1025 N. Pine Ave. SCHOOLS 201 Arcada St. (989) 775-2280
Alma, MI www.breckhuskies.org Ithaca, MI Winn Elementary (K-5)
Fancher Elementary (3-5) 8190 Church St.
(989) 466-7651 (989) 875-3047
Breckenridge Elementary 801 S. Kinney Ave. Winn, MI
St. Mary Catholic School (K-6) Ithaca SDA School (K-8) Mt. Pleasant, MI (989) 866-2250
(PreK-6) 515 Summit St. 935 N. Pine River (989) 775-2230
220 W. Downie St. Breckenridge, MI Ithaca, MI ST. LOUIS PUBLIC
(989) 842-3182 ext. 2
Mary McGuire Elementary
Alma, MI www.ithaca22.adventistschool
www.nativityparish.net/school connect.org (3-5) SCHOOLS
(989) 463-4579 4883 E. Crosslanes www.stlouisschools.net
CHIPPEWA HILLS (989) 875-4961
Mt. Pleasant, MI
SCHOOLS Countryside Christian School (989) 775-2264 Carrie Knause Early Childhood
ASHLEY COMMUNITY www.chsd.us (K-8) Learning Center (K-2)
SCHOOLS Renaissance Public School 113 E. Saginaw St.
4308 S. Luce Rd.
www.ashleyschools.net
Weidman Elementary (PreK-4) Ithaca, MI Academy (K-8) St. Louis, MI
3311 N. School Rd. (989) 875-2313 2797 S. Isabella Rd. (989) 681-2545
Ashley Elementary (K-4) Weidman, MI Mt. Pleasant, MI
104 N. New St. www.renaissancepsa.com Nikkari Elementary (3-5)
(989) 644-3430 MONTABELLA 301 W. State St.
Ashley, MI (989) 773-9889
COMMUNITY St. Louis, MI
(989) 847-4000
Sacred Heart Academy (K-12) (989) 681-5131
SCHOOLS 316 E. Michigan St.
www.montabella.com Mt. Pleasant, MI
Montabella Elementary academy.sha.net
(989) 772-1457
(PreK-6)
1456 N. County Line Rd.
Blanchard, MI
(989) 427-5175Parent Resources
AMERICAN ACADEMY access to online full-text books and articles and newsletters, and recommendations to the best
other valuable research information at any time via parenting resources on the web.
OF PEDIATRICS
the Internet; and provide an easy-to-use interlibrary
www.aap.org
loan system to allow Michigan residents to borrow PBS PARENTS
Health and wellness information for families books and other library materials for free from www.pbs.org/parents
including information on developmental stages, participating Michigan libraries. Information about child development and fun
immunizations, and parenting.
educational activities for children to help get them
SCHOLASTIC ready for school.
GREAT START www.scholastic.com/parents
COLLABORATIVE ZERO TO THREE
Provides information, activities, and advice for
www.greatstartgi.org
parents with a focus on literacy. www.zerotothree.org
A Great Start for every child in
Provides information about child development and
Gratiot & Isabella Counties — safe,
READING ROCKETS care in areas such as early brain development,
healthy, and eager to succeed in
www.readingrockets.org early language and literacy, and play.
school and in life.
Reading Rockets offers a wealth of strategies,
MICHIGAN 2-1-1 lessons, and activities designed to help young
www.mi211.org children learn to read.
A FREE confidential phone hotline available
24/7/365 to answer questions and provide
STORYLINE ONLINE
www.stor ylineonline.net
referrals. Call whenever you need assistance with
emergency shelter, food pantries, day care, rent The Screen Actors Guild Foundation brings you
or utility assistance, elderly care, mental health Storyline Online, an online streaming video program
services, employment, health resource, domestic featuring SAG’s members reading children’s books
abuse, education, vocational training, disability aloud. Each book includes accompanying activities
resources, counseling, and lessons ideas.
disaster recovery,
or drug and alcohol PARENTING 24/7
rehabilitation. www.parenting247.org
News, information, and advice on parenting and
MICHIGAN e LIBRARY family life designed for parents and grandparents
www.mel.org/kids
of children ages newborn to teen. Features include
Administered by the Library of Michigan in articles with research-based information, video
partnership with Michigan’s libraries, the Michigan clips of parents and experts discussing timely
eLibrary provides all Michigan residents with free age-based topics, breaking news and commentary,40 Developmental Assets for Early Childhood
The Search Institute has identified forty building ➤ T he more assets children have, the better. Research shows that adolescents who report having more
blocks that are essential for helping children assets are more likely to be successful in school and in their personal life. The Search Institute has
become healthy, caring, and responsible found that most adolescents have only 18 to 20 of these 40 Developmental Assets™.
individuals. These building blocks, also called
➤S
tarting early is critical to helping children build assets. Your use of this Readiness Calendar is a great
Developmental Assets™, are competencies that
start.
children develop through their experiences with
people in their world (parents, teachers, child care ➤ Review the Developmental Assets™ list below and see how you can help children build their assets.
providers, librarians, bus drivers, and others).
EXTERNAL ASSETS 15. Positive peer relationships—Parent(s) and difference between truth and lies, and is truthful to
caregivers seek to provide opportunities for the the extent of her or his understanding.
SUPPORT child to interact positively with other children. 30. Responsibility—The child begins to follow
1. Family support—Parent(s) and/or primary through on simple tasks to take care of her- or
CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF TIME
caregiver(s) provide the child with high levels of himself and to help others.
consistent and predictable love, physical care, and 16. Positive expectations—Parent(s), caregivers,
positive attention in ways that are responsive to and teachers encourage and support the child in 31. Self-regulation—The child increasingly can
the child’s individuality. behaving appropriately, undertaking challenging identify, regulate, and control her or his behaviors
tasks, and performing activities to the best of her in healthy ways, using adult support constructively
2. Positive family communication—Parent(s) and/or in particularly stressful situations.
primary caregiver(s) express themselves positively or his ability.
and respectfully, engaging young children in conver 17. Play and creative activities—The child has SOCIAL COMPETENCIES
sations that invite their input. daily opportunities to play in ways that allow self- 32. Planning and decision making—The child
3. Other adult relationships—With the family’s expression, physical activity, and interaction with begins to plan for the immediate future, choosing
support, the child experiences consistent, caring others. from several options and trying to solve problems.
relationships with adults outside the family. 18. Out-of-home and community programs—The 33. Interpersonal skills—The child cooperates,
4. Caring neighbors—The child’s network of child experiences well-designed programs led shares, plays harmoniously, and comforts others in
relationships includes neighbors who provide by competent, caring adults in well maintained distress.
emotional support and a sense of belonging. settings.
34. Cultural awareness and sensitivity—The child
5. Caring climate in child-care and educational 19. Religious community—The child participates begins to learn about her or his own cultural
settings—Caregivers and teachers create in age-appropriate religious activities and caring identity and to show acceptance of people who are
environments that are nurturing, accepting, relationships that nurture her or his spiritual racially, physically, culturally, or ethnically different
encouraging, and secure. development. from her or him.
6. Parent involvement in child care and education— 20. Time at home—The child spends most of her 35. Resistance skills—The child begins to sense
Parent(s), caregivers, and teachers together create or his time at home participating in family activities danger accurately, to seek help from trusted adults,
a consistent and supportive approach to fostering and playing constructively, with parent(s) guiding TV and to resist pressure from peers to participate in
the child’s successful growth. and electronic game use. unacceptable or risky behavior.EMPOWERMENT INTERNAL ASSETS 36. Peaceful conflict resolution—The child begins
to compromise and resolve conflicts without using
7. Community cherishes and values young COMMITMENT TO LEARNING physical aggression or hurtful language.
children—Children are welcomed and included
throughout community life. 21. Motivation to mastery—The child responds to
POSITIVE IDENTITY
new experiences with curiosity and energy, resulting
8. Children seen as resources—The community in the pleasure of mastering new learning and 37. Personal power—The child can make choices
demonstrates that children are valuable resources skills. that give a sense of having some influence over
by investing in a child-rearing system of family things that happen in her or his life.
support and high-quality activities and resources 22. Engagement in learning experiences—The child
fully participates in a variety of activities that offer 38. Self-esteem—The child likes her- or himself
to meet children’s physical, social, and emotional
opportunities for learning. and has a growing sense of being valued by others.
needs.
23. Home-program connection—The child 39. Sense of purpose—The child anticipates new
9. Service to others—The child has opportunities
experiences security, consistency, and connections opportunities, experiences, and milestones in
to perform simple but meaningful and caring
between home and out-of-home care programs and growing up.
actions for others.
learning activities. 40. Positive view of personal future—The child
10. Safety—Parent(s), caregivers, teachers,
24. Bonding to programs—The child forms finds the world interesting and enjoyable, and feels
neighbors, and the community take action to
meaningful connections with out-of-home care and that he or she has a positive place in it.
ensure children’s health and safety.
educational programs.
BOUNDARIES & EXPECTATIONS
25. Early literacy—The child enjoys a variety
11. Family boundaries—The family provides of pre-reading activities, including adults reading
consistent supervision for the child and maintains to her or him daily, looking at and handling books,
reasonable guidelines for behavior that the child playing with a variety of media, and showing
can understand and achieve. interest in pictures, letters, and numbers.
12. Boundaries in child-care and educational POSITIVE VALUES
settings—Caregivers and educators use positive
approaches to discipline and natural consequences 26. Caring—The child begins to show empathy,
to encourage self-regulation and acceptable understanding, and awareness of others’ feelings.
behaviors. 27. Equality and social justice—The child begins
13. Neighborhood boundaries—Neighbors to show concern for people who are excluded
encourage the child in positive, acceptable from play and other activities or not treated fairly
behavior, as well as intervene in negative behavior because they are different.
in a supportive, nonthreatening way. 28. Integrity—The child begins to express her
14. Adult role models—Parent(s), caregivers, or his views appropriately and to stand up for a
and other adults model self-control, social skills, growing sense of what is fair and right.
engagement in learning, and healthy lifestyles. 29. Honesty—The child begins to understand the
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