Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46

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Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
2021
Family Activity Calendar
                           Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN

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Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
Help Me Get Ready For

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Kindergarten!

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Talk                       Play                   Read                               Do                          Write
» Tell me your stories;    » Build with me.       » Read to me; listen to me         » Take me to the library.   » Use playdough with
   listen to mine.                                  "read" to you.
                           » Pretend with me.                                                                      me.
                                                                                     » Explore our community
» Sing songs and nursery                          » Point out meaningful letters
                           » Make time for me        in my world: J is for Jack, D      with me.                 » Draw pictures with me.
   rhymes.
                             to play with other      is for Donut.                   » Count things with me.     » Show me how to make
» Talk about things we       kids.
                                                  » Point out the first letter                                      letters.
   are doing.                                                                        » Let me touch, taste and
                           » Be silly with me.       in words and the sound it
                                                     makes.                             smell new things.        » Write down what I say.
» Teach me new words.
                           » Teach me the
                                                  » Use rhyming words with           » Play games with me.       » Make lists with me.
» Ask me 'how' and            rules.
                                                    me.
  'why' questions.
                                                  » Re-read books I love.
Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
Tips and Tricks to Use Calendar
This Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar offers daily activities that enhance developmental skills needed in school.
Children develop at their own rate! It’s up to you how to use this calendar; we give suggestions below.

Parents                             Parents and                       QR Code Download
» Use the daily activities to       Teachers                          Instructions                                                   The
  engage your child in literacy
  discovery.
                                    » Enjoy the monthly tips and
                                       videos in the QR code in the
                                                                      » Each month look for the QR
                                                                         Code to learn tips and tricks
                                                                                                                                children are
» Check out the local resources,       Parent and Teachers' Corner       for interacting with your child.                        our future.
  including local libraries
  (pg.30), community agencies
                                    » Use daily literacy activities
                                      as your question of the day,
                                                                      » To access the QR Code go to
                                                                         the App Store on your mobile                             Enjoy the
  (pg.31), and developmental
  milestones (pg.34).
                                      during transition times, and
                                      other times during the day.
                                                                         phone and download a FREE
                                                                         QR Code Reader.                                           journey!
» Look over the Kindergarten        » Check out recommended           » After you have downloaded
   registration page and other        books at the library and use      the app you will be able to
   school information (pg.29).        them in the classroom.            hold your phone over the code
» Read the “Children &                                                  each month and the videos or
                                    » Use the Kindergarten              information will come up on
  Technology” page to discover        benchmarks and milestones

                                                                                                            Recommended Books
  tips and tricks for using media                                       your phone.
                                      on pg. 28 to guide your
  in the home and on the go           teaching and monitor the        youtu.be/j393lNECNGw                                       Each month,
  (pg.33).                            children’s development.                                                                    look here for
                                    » Make Talk, Play, Read, Do                                                                  a list of books
                                      and Write part of your daily                                                               to read with
"Typical" development                 school routines.                                                                           your child.
varies from child to child.
Each month focuses on
a different topic based
                                             O N T H LY
on Illinois Early Learning                 M
Standards and strategies
developed by experts.
                                             TIPS
Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
Encourage your child to listen

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and use language to express ideas.                                                                                                     Me
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Take time each day to listen and                     Involve your child
to talk with your child.                             in activities which
                                                     require listening and
While traveling or at home:
                                                     following directions.
 Turn off the radio or CD player in your car and
  talk about where you are going or have been.       Give your child directions that
 Talk about what might happen when you get to       involve two steps. Here are some
  where you are going.                               examples:
 Turn off the TV and other electronic devices and    Take off your shoes and put
  talk with your child about things that interest      them in the closet.
  him or her or their day. Talking is teaching!       Pick up your plate and put it in
                                                       the sink.
                                                                                                                       Ways to Welcome by
                                                                                                                       Linda Ashman

                                                                                                   Recommended Books
                                                                                                                       Just Like Me by Vanessa

             LY
                                                                                                                       Brantley-Newton

   M O N T H                                                                                                           Ray by Marianna Coppo

     TIPS                                                                                                              There’s an Alien In Your Book by
                                                                                                                       Tom Fletcher

                           Parent and Teacher Corner                                                                   Lift by Minh Lê
                                                                                                                       The Button Book by Sally Nicholls
                                                             Small Children Have Big Feelings:                         The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder
                                                             There's an Emotion Behind Every
Children come to school after many early-morning             Action                                                    Heroes Wear Masks by
                                                             http://bit.ly/2zMMS9m                                     Sesame Workshop
transitions from home. There is an emotion behind
every action and meltdowns can come out of
                                                             Separation anxiety in young
nowhere. By observing children you can translate             children
this behavior and help them transition.                      Separation anxiety is normal and
                                                             eventually most young children will
                                                             experience it. Tips for making this
                                                             transition easier.
                                                             http://bit.ly/2B25l3r
Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
January
      Sunday                      Monday                 Tuesday                        Wednesday                   Thursday                        Friday                   Saturday
Eye Care Month              Remember:                  			                                                                                   New Year's Day        1    Have your child       2
                            Check with your                                                                                                  Use newspapers and         look at pictures in a
                            school for                                                                                                       magazines to make          book and make up his/
                            kindergarten                                                                                                     a New Year’s crown         her own story.
                            registration                                                                                                     or hat.
                            dates.

Count items in your    3    Do sit-ups and          4 Color Tuesday              5   Count the windows      6 10
                                                                                                               Library Day              7    Practice putting on   8    Look for happy         9
kitchen.                    count to 10.               Look for white clothes.       in your house.            Get a library card for        hats and gloves.           faces in a magazine.
                                                                                                               your child.

Sing your child’s      10   Have your child        11 Color Tuesday          12      Read your favorite    13 Have your child        14 Ask your child to      15 Do 15 jumping                16
favorite song.              help prepare a meal.       Look for the color            children’s book to your  practice writing his/her  help set the table and    jacks.
                                                       white outside.                child.                   name using upper and      count the items.
                                                                                                              lower case letters.

Cut shapes out of    17 Martin Luther              18 Color Tuesday          19      Exercise with your      20 Library Day             21   Make a grocery list   22   Look outside and       23
paper to make a picture. King, Jr. Day                 Look for the color white      child; hop in place, do    Ask for a book about         together.                  ask your child about
                                                       in a book or magazine.        jumping jacks and arm      winter fun.                                             the weather.
                            Have your child                                          circles.
                            draw a picture of him/
                            her playing in the snow.

Play a board game      24   Start a nursery     25 Color Tuesday             26      Name four things     27 Ask your child to          28   Brush your teeth      29   Play I-Spy with the 30
with your child.            rhyme and have your    Look for something                that rhyme with "dog."  draw a picture of a             and talk about why         numbers on this page.
                            child finish it.       white in the kitchen.                                     snowman.                        they are important.        "I-Spy number 4. Can
                                                                                                                                                                        you find 4?
What letter does       31
January start with?
Can you find another
"J" on this page?
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Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
Play learning games

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with your child.
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Play matching games.                                    Play "shapes" and
 Play “Old Maid” and “Go Fish” cards, the Memory       "sizes" games.
  Game, or a deck of playing cards.
                                                         Play hide-and-seek with
 Shuffle the cards and lay them face up on the           different sized shapes.
  table.
                                                         Grab shapes out of a bag
 Invite your child to find the two cards that match.     and name.
                                                         Make bath time a fun
Have fun as you play "I Spy"                              learning opportunity with
color games.                                              foam letters, numbers and
                                                          shapes to play with in the
 Play the game by spying different colored objects       tub.
  at home, outdoors, or in the car.
 Say, “I spy something yellow. You peel it and eat
  it. What is it?" (banana)
                                                        Play Movement Games
                                                                                                                       A Story about Afiya by James Berry
                                                         Play “Mother May I,” “Red Light,
                                                          Green Light” and “Simon Says”                                What Matters Most by Emma Dodd

                                                                                                   Recommended Books
     O N T H LY                                                                                                        The Yawns Are Coming! by

   M                                                                                                                   Christopher Eliopoulos

     TIPS
                                                                                                                       My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano

                                                                                                                       Are Your Stars Like My Stars? by
                           Parent and Teacher Corner                                                                   Leslie Helakoski

                                                                                                                       Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy
                                                                 Easy Beginner Preschool Board                         Moo-Moo, I Love You! by Tom
Sitting down and playing games with children is                  Games.                                                Lichtenheld and Amy Krouse Rosenthal
the way they learn to take turns, learn rules and                http://bit.ly/2PtGjDy
                                                                                                                       Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe
spend quality time with you. This time also gives
you the opportunity to observe skills that need to be
worked on. The Dollar Store is a great place to grab             Check out this website for Play
matching, shape, color, letter and number games.                 ideas
                                                                 http://bit.ly/2QDtXVH
Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
February
       Sunday                    Monday                       Tuesday                    Wednesday                 Thursday                      Friday                    Saturday
Black Heritage             Talk about what        1 Groundhog Day                2    Make shadows with    3 Library Day            4    Write down the           5   Read your child a     6
Month                      happens when snow                                          your child using a      Say a word to your         names of family              story and ask him/her
                           melts.                       Color Tuesday                 flashlight.             child and ask him/her to   members.                     to act it out with a
Dental Care Month                                       Take a walk and find                                  say words that rhyme.                                   sock puppet.
                                                        things that are pink.

Have your child        7   Together, look for        8 Color Tuesday             9    Play peek-a-boo      10 Library Day           11 Lincoln's                12    Have your child        13
put a glove on his/her     words beginning with         Look for pink clothes.        with scarves.           Ask for an award-          Birthday                     think of words that
hand and count his/her     the same letter.                                                                   winning book.              Count fruits in the          start with the first
fingers.                                                                                                                                 refrigerator.                letter in his/her name.

Valentine's Day       14 President's Day         15 Color Tuesday                16 Ash Wednesday 17 Library Day                    18   Have your child        19    Leap across your        20
Trace and cut heart        Read a story with            Look for the color pink in Hide an object, give       Ask for rhyming books.     help prepare a meal.         living room.
shapes together.           your child and point to      a book or magazine.        your child clues and
                           each word as you read.                                  have them find it.

Count to 20.
                      21   Read your favorite
                                                  22 Color Tuesday               23   Have your child
                                                                                                           24 Library Day           25   Count the number
                                                                                                                                                                26    Name a letter and
                                                                                                                                                                                              27
                           children's book to your      Look for something pink       wear something red      Read a book about a        of hops your child can       have your child find
                           child.                       in your kitchen.              today.                  snowman.                   do on one foot.              items that begin with
                                                                                                                                                                      that letter.

Sort out toys         28
by color.

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Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
Read with your child

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each day.                                                                          Me
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Create a reading area                         Let your child participate in book
for your child.                               reading with a variety of books.
 Store your child’s books in a special         Visit your local library with your child and get a
  place that is easy to reach such as a          library card.
  basket, drawer, or on a low shelf.            Let your child look at the picture books in the
 Place a small rug or pillow in                 children’s section of the library and select several
  the area to create a cozy and                  books to checkout.
  comfortable place for reading.                Attend a story time program at your library.
 Join your child and read together in          While reading a book with your child, talk about
  this special place.                            the pictures and information on the cover of
 Hold your child close to you when              the book.
  you read to help develop a bond and           Ask your child to look at the cover and guess what
  a positive attitude toward reading.            the book is going to be about.
 Read your child’s favorite books              Show your child how to start at the beginning of
  over and over as this builds strong                                                                                       Catch That Chicken by Atinuke
                                                 the book and how to turn the pages from front
  reading skills.

                                                                                                        Recommended Books
                                                 to back.                                                                   Brown Baby Lullaby by Tameka
                                                Ask your child questions throughout the story                              Fryer Brown
                                                 and to retell the story in his or her own words at
                                                                                                                            Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by

     O N T H LY                                  the end.
                                                                                                                            Tara Dairman
   M                                                                                                                        Accordionly by Michael Genhart

     TIPS                   Parent and Teacher Corner                                                                       Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura

                                                                                                                            Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd
                                                                   Building Print Awareness
                                                                   by Sharing a Book                                        Roy Digs Dirt by David Shannon
                                                                   http://bit.ly/2PnqDkZ                                    The Three Little Yogis and the Wolf
Reading aloud is so important to young children's                                                                           Who Lost His Breath by Susan Verde
learning. One of the most important skills a parent
or teacher can teach a child is how to communicate,                The importance of reading
how to speak, listen and read. Children love hearing               aloud to children.
a story when you add different accents and make                    http://bit.ly/2PphzfF
the characters and story come alive.
Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
March
       Sunday                       Monday                    Tuesday                    Wednesday                     Thursday                     Friday                    Saturday
                              How how high can      1   Read Across              2    Dance with scarves.     3 Library Day             4    Count fruits in the    5    Put together a         6
                              you count? Count the      America Day                                               Find books about           refrigerator.               puzzle with your child.
                              numbers on this page.                                                               spring.
                                                        Dr. Seuss' Birthday
                                                        Look for Dr. Seuss
                                                        books at your library.

Have your child          7    Watch a movie with   8 Color Tuesday               9    Look for different      10 Library Day            11   Sort old socks         12   Practice the         13
think of words that           your child.               Look for the color green      shapes in your living       Talk about the author      by color.                   "ABC" song.
start with the first                                    outside.                      room.                       Dr. Seuss and what an
letter in his/her name..                                                                                          author does.

Daylight Savings         14   Read a story with     15 Color Tuesday         16 St. Patrick's Day             17 Library Day            18   Have your child        19 First Day of           20
Time Begins                   your child and point to  Find the color green in  Hide an object, give              Talk about animals.        help prepare a meal.        Spring
Change your clocks            each word as you read.   books or magazines.      your child clues and                                                                     Count to 20.
and smoke detector                                                              have him/her find it.
batteries.

Point out street         21   Look outside for     22 Color Tuesday              23   Have your child        24   Library Day           25   Jump 10 times.         26 Passover Begins 27
signs as you move             spring changes.           Look for the color green      write his/her name on       Decide which book                                      Sing your favorite
through town.                                           in the kitchen.               card and display it on      is your favorite                                       children’s song
                                                                                      the refrigerator.           Dr. Seuss book.                                        together.

Palm Sunday              28   Help your child       29 Color Tuesday         30 What letter does     31
Play a game that              practice zipping his/her Find the color green in  March  start with?                                       Parents please go to
involves taking turns.        coat.                    your child’s toys.       Can you find other M's
                                                                                on the page?                                  www.surveymonkey.com/r/R3WCKC3
                                                                                                                            to fill out a 1 minute survey to let us know
                                                                                                                                      how you like the calendar.

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Getting Ready for KINDERGARTEN - Family Activity Calendar - School District U-46
Play
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Let your child use school tools.
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 Gather and organize materials for                            Support your child as he
 coloring, drawing, writing and cutting. or she practices using
   Help your child select a strong container for drawing and scissors.
   writing materials.                                           Be sure that your child knows how to
  Show your child how to use markers and scissors               hold the scissors, how to open and
   appropriately.                                                close the blades and how to hold the
  Decide on some simple rules for your child using the          paper. “Chomp the paper like an
   drawing and writing materials.                                alligator mouth.”
  Create fun activities using school tools such as pencils,    Snipping playdough snakes, strips of
   makers, crayons and scissors.                                 construction paper or paint strips from
                                                                 the hardware store is good practice.

 Encourage your child to explore with
 drawing materials.                                            Let your child see that
  Draw a picture with your child about family events and
                                                               written words are a                                                 Common Critters: The Wildlife in
                                                                                                                                   Your Neighborhood by Pat Brisson
                                                               part of daily life.

                                                                                                         Recommended Books
   experiences and talk about the picture.
                                                                                                                                   Nesting by Henry Cole
  Praise your child’s efforts by displaying their work in a    Involve your child in making lists
   special spot.                                                 together, writing notes and                                       Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by
                                                                 names.                                                            Nikki Grimes

                                                                                                                                   Beehive by Jorey Hurley
            LY
      MONTH                 Parent and Teacher Corner                                                                              Nola’s Scribbles Save the Day by

       TIPS
                                                                                                                                   Cristina Lalli

                                                                                                                                   The Old Truck by Jarrett Pumphrey
                                                                How to Teach a Preschooler
                                                                to Cut with Scissors                                               Love Sophia on the Moon by
                                                                http://bit.ly/2z6jV91                                              Anica Mrose Rissi

 Developing fine motor skills are important for                                                                                    One Earth by Eileen Spinelli
 learning to hold a pencil in the future. You can
 strengthen your child’s hands by giving them the               How to teach your child to use
 opportunity to play with playdough as well as using            scissors correctly
 their pincher fingers to pick up little objects like           http://bit.ly/2PrI583
 beans, beads or small pasta. Here are some easy
 tips for teaching a child to cut with scissors.
April
       Sunday                    Monday                    Tuesday                    Wednesday                   Thursday                        Friday                   Saturday
                                                                                                            Library Day               1 Good Friday              2 Last Day of                3
                                                                                                            Ask for fairy tales.          Talk about a               Passover
                                                                                                                                          favorite person.           Together find things
                                                                                                                                                                     around the house that
                                                                                                                                                                     begin with letter “M.”

Easter                4    Make a collage of       5 Color Tuesday            6   Sing the “ABC”          7 Library Day               8   Measure rice with      9   Draw and cut out         10
Use a ruler to             shapes together.          Find something blue in       song.                     Read a story and ask          a measuring cup or         circles and triangles.
measure your                                         your clothes.                                          your child what his/her       spoon.
hands and feet.                                                                                             favorite part was and
                                                                                                            why.

Sing your child's     11 Week of the             12 Ramadan Begins 13             Find some squares      14 Tax Day                15     Count the stairs as   16   Act out a favorite       17
favorite song.             Young Child 12-16                                      in your house.            (Taxes Due)                   you climb them in          story or song.
                           Use crayons to draw a     Color Tuesday                                                                        your house.
                           picture for a parent.     Find something blue                                    Library Day
                                                     outside.                                               Ask for books about
                                                                                                            bugs.

Play a board game     18   Have your child       19 Color Tuesday          20     Have your child        21 Earth Day              22     Count how many        23 Print your name –          24
or card game with          count all the doors       Find something blue in       invite a friend over                                    trees are on your street. use a different color
your child.                and windows in your       a book or magazine.          to play.                  Library Day                                             for each letter.
                           house.                                                                           Together read a
                                                                                                            book about feelings.

Count from 0 to 10.   25   Have your child       26 Color Tuesday          27     Put together a         28 Library Day            29 Arbor Day                 30
                           draw a picture. Let       Cut out pictures             puzzle with your          Talk about patterns.          Take a walk and find
                           him/her tell you          that are blue from           child.                    Can you find a shirt you      small new trees that
                           about it.                 magazines and glue                                     have that has a pattern?      are growing. Talk about
                                                     them on paper.                                                                       "Tall" trees compared to
                                                                                                                                          "small" trees.

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Enjoy the sounds
         Play
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                          of language.
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Read rhymes with your child.                       Play with rhyming sounds
 Read Mother Goose Rhymes with your child.         Play a game of naming rhyming words.
  Encourage your child to listen and complete        (Silly, Billy, Sock, Rock)
  the sentence with the rhyming word such as,
  “Hickory, Dickory, Dock. The Mouse Ran up         Silly, nonsense words count, too.
  the (clock).”
 Read books with rhyming words like                Sing, dance and listen to songs with your
  Jeep in a Sheep, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom           children that have rhyming words. Many of
  and Wocket in My Pocket                            the children’s CD’s have rhyming songs.

    Remember that children grow and
  develop at different rates, but you may
  be surprised to see how your child has
   progressed in the past few months.                                                                            Bunnies on the Bus by
                                                                                                                 Philip Ardagh

                                                                                             Recommended Books
                                                                                                                 A Perfect Day by Sarah S. Brannen

      O N T H LY                                                                                                 Wonderful You by Lisa Graff
    M
      TIPS
                                                                                                                 A World Together by Sonia Manzano

                                                                                                                 The Hidden Rainbow by
                          Parent and Teacher Corner                                                              Christie Matheson

                                                                                                                 Old Rock (is Not Boring) by Deb Pilutti

                                                                                                                 Green on Green by Dianne White
 Children need to hear books with rhyming words            How to teach your child key
  to develop their language                                                                                      Only the Cat Saw by Ashley Wolff
                                                            reading skills: Phonological
 Read books with predictable endings to the                Awareness - Talk, Sing, Rhyme!
  sentences.                                                http://bit.ly/2Ffm4Vc
 Did you know you can check out children’s CD’s
  from the library?
May
      Sunday                      Monday                      Tuesday                 Wednesday                 Thursday                           Friday                     Saturday
Asian Pacific                                                                                                  			                                                      May Day                1
American Heritage                                                                                                                                                       Help your child get
Month                                                                                                                                                                   the mail. Count the
                                                                                                                                                                        pieces together.

Orthodox Easter        2 Children’s                 3 Color Tuesday              4 Cinco de Mayo          5 Library Day                 6   Talk about summer      7    Sing the ABC song.     8
Make up silly words         Book Week                    Find something yellow     Talk about the              Ask about summer             plans.
that rhyme with your        May 3 - May 9                in your clothes.          weather. “April showers     reading programs.
child’s name.                                                                      bring May flowers.” Is it
                            Find things that                                       rainy or sunny?
                            begin with the letter
                            “B.”

Mother's Day           9    Listen to a story,      10 Color Tuesday         11    Buy a packet of        12 Library Day            13      Make animal noises. 14 Armed                       15
Take a "rainbow walk."      cassette tape or CD          Find something yellow     flower seeds - plant        Read two books               Have your child guess  Forces Day
Find all the colors of      with your child.             outside.                  some in a paper cup.        today. Have your child       the animal.            Draw some tulips.
the rainbow.                                                                                                   tell which is his/her                               Color them.
                                                                                                               favorite and why.

Name a letter and    16 Write your child’s 17 Color Tuesday        18 Cut out shapes and 19                    Library Day          20      Take a walk and talk   21   Practice opposites     22
have your child find    name. Have them trace Find something yellow   play a matching game.                    Ask a librarian to           about the different         with your child (up/
items beginning with    the letters.          in a book or magazine.                                           recommend new                sounds you hear.            down, in/out, over/
that letter.                                                                                                   children’s music.                                        under).

Sing songs with        23   Make a parade with 24 Color Tuesday        25          Hide an object.        26 Library Day          27 Visit Festival Park           28   Bake cookies           29
rhyming sounds.             your stuffed animals.  Find something yellow           Have your child look      Share a nursery         and play.                          together. Count the
                            Count how many         in the kitchen.                 for it by giving him/her  rhyme with your child.                                     number on each tray.
                            animals in the parade.                                 clues.
Find something         30 Memorial Day              31
yellow in your              Discuss the pattern
child's toys.               in the flag. Find
                            other patterns.
                                                                                              13
Give your child daily opportunities
to use large muscles.
Let your child spend time inside and outdoors
and have space and freedom to use large
muscles. Join your child in active play.

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 Have a safe outdoor place for your child to run and play.
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 Let your child pedal a tricycle outdoors.                                     Me
 Take music outside to enjoy and dance to.                                Giveve!
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                                                                                   Write
 Hang a basketball hoop low enough so your child can
  successfully “make a basket.”
 Toss bean bags into a basket, or a tape circle on the floor.
 Create an obstacle course in your house. Use words like crawl “over” the
  chair. Slide “under” the table. Slither "through" the door like a snake.

                                                                                                                        Ready, Set, Go! Sports of All

           LY                                                                                                           Sorts by Celeste Cortright

     MONTH

                                                                                                    Recommended Books
                                                                                                                        I Will Dance by Nancy Bo Flood
      TIPS                    Parent and Teacher Corner                                                                 Summer Song by Kevin Henkes

                                                                                                                        My Ocean is Blue by Darren Lebeuf
                                                            If you have concerns about your
                                                            child’s gross or fine motor skills,                         Prairie Days by Patricia MacLachlan
What are gross motor skills?
                                                           you can contact the early learners                           Bunny Overboard by Claudia Rueda
Gross motor skills are the abilities required to           department in your school district
control the large muscles of the body for walking,
jumping, skipping, and more. Gross motor skills help                 for a screening.                                   Home Base by Nikki Tate
a child gain strength and confidence in his/her body.
                                                                                                                        Someday We Will by Pam Webb
It also helps them get exercise and physical activity.
                                                                    The difference between fine
What are fine motor skills?                                         and gross motor skills.
Fine motor skills are the abilities required to control             http://bit.ly/2K6Ijvz
the small muscles in the body to develop skills like
coloring with a crayon, writing with a pencil, or
cutting with scissors.
June
      Sunday                   Monday                     Tuesday                     Wednesday                   Thursday                      Friday                      Saturday
Remember:                                           Color Tuesday            1    Have your child        2 Library Day              3   Discuss your              4   Find things around       5
Did you schedule a                                  Find something                invite a friend over      Take a walk around the      family's favorite food.       the house that are
kindergarten physical,                              black in your clothes.        and play a game.          path at the library after                                 square or circular.
eye and dental exams?                                                                                       you check out books.

Take a walk and      6   How many clothes        7 Color Tuesday             8    Walk like a penguin.   9 Library Day             10   Have a picnic in the      11 Play “Simon Says.”      12
count the flowers        can you put on all by      Find something black          What other animal is      Ask for books about         backyard.                     Focus on exercise
you see.                 yourself?                  outside.                      black & white?            summer fun.                                               activities (hopping,
                                                                                                                                                                      bending over, touching
                                                                                                                                                                      toes).

Play catch together 13 Flag Day                  14 Color Tuesday            15   Sing "The Ants Go      16 Library Day            17   Have your child           18 Have a picnic with      19
and count as you catch Make an obstacle             Find something black in       Marching" song.           Ask for books about         write his/her name            your child or play a
the ball.              course for your bike.        a book or magazine.                                     cars or trucks.             in some sand.                 game outside.

First Day           20   Count from 1 to 10 21 Color Tuesday           22 Name words that                23 Library Day            24   Visit the park or a       25 Play a game             26
of Summer                or as high as your child Find something black in rhyme with “can.”                 Ask for books that          beach.                        together such as
                         can count.               the kitchen.                                              have shapes in them.                                      “Memory” or “Go Fish.”
Father's Day
Dance together.

Help your child        27 Find things that       28 Color Tuesday         29 Go on a scavenger 30
practice putting their    begin with the letter “T.” Find something black    hunt outside and look
shoes on.                                            in your toys.           for things that are the
                                                                             color yellow, green and
                                                                             red.

                                                                                             15
Introduce your child to

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numbers and counting.                                                                     Me
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                    Use number words      Involve your child in number
                    and point out written and counting activities.
                    numerals as you and  Play “Simon Says.” Say to your child,
                    your child do things     “Simon says clap your hands 5 times.”
                                             “Simon Says take 3 steps forward.”
                    together.               “Show me 4 fingers on your hand.”
                      “I need you to put 3 forks and         “Show me 5 fingers on your hand.”
                       3 plates on the table.”                 “Take one finger away. How many
                                                               fingers do you have left?”
                      “Pick out 4 apples and put
                       them in this bag.”
                      “See if you can stack 6               Read, tell stories, sing
                       pennies.”                             songs and say rhymes about
                      “Can you put 4 blocks in a            numbers and counting with                                           Sun Flower Lion by Kevin Henkes
                       row?”                                 your child.

                                                                                                             Recommended Books
                                                                                                                                 Follow Me, Flo! by Jarvis
                                                              Read or sing Five Little Monkeys
                                                               Jumping on the Bed.                                               It Is Not Perfect by Anna Kang
                                                              Sing counting songs such as                                       Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre
                                                               “This Old Man.”
             LY
       MONTH                  Parent and Teacher Corner
                                                                                                                                 Seagulls Soar by April Pulley Sayre

        TIPS                                                                                                                     Jules vs. the Ocean by Jessie Sima

                                                                                                                                 Two Dogs on a Trike by Gabi Snyder
                            Early math skills are learned            The Importance of Early Math
                            through every day play.                  http://bit.ly/2Pmz9Rc                                       Natsumi’s Song of Summer by
                            Children learn these skills                                                                          Robert Paul Weston
 through measurement vocabulary like big/small,
 full/empty, slow/fast, a lot/a little. Children can learn
 math in multiple opportunities during the day from                  Everyday Fun With Measurement
 going to the grocery store or to the laundromat.                    http://bit.ly/2OH059g
 Make learning fun! Talking is teaching!
July
      Sunday                     Monday                     Tuesday                   Wednesday                      Thursday                       Friday                      Saturday
                                                                                                                Library Day            1    What food would          2    Use sidewalk chalk      3
                                                                                                                Have your child             you take on a picnic?         to draw a hopscotch
                                                                                                                name letters found on                                     board and count as
                                                                                                                cereal boxes, cans, etc.                                  you hop.

Independence          4    Keep the TV off     5      Color Tuesday           6   Use family photos         7   Library Day            8    Use a stick to write     9    Make a piggy bank       10
Day                        today. Read books and      Find something red          to tell different stories.    Talk with your child.       numbers in the dirt or        out of a coffee can
Draw and decorate          play games instead.        outside.                                                  What did you do today?      sand.                         or box and start
a flag.                                                                                                                                                                   saving coins.

Pretend to be a     11 Have your child          12 Color Tuesday           13     Put on music and     14 Library Day         15            Using blocks, ask        16   Play “I Spy” with       17
statue. How long can   help make his/her              Find something red          dance and clap to the   Let your child pick               your child to sort by         numbers.
you stay still?        favorite sandwich.             in a book or magazine.      beat.                   out a DVD the whole               colors. Now create
                                                                                                          family will enjoy.                a pattern.

Have your child       18   Practice counting    19 Color Tuesday           20     Count pennies into      21 Library Day               22   Open your piggy          23   Play a counting     24
practice your phone        to 10 (or higher)!         Find something red in       piles of 1, 2, 3...           Ride your bike or           bank, sort and count          game like “How many
number.                                               your kitchen.                                             walk to the library.        the coins.                    striped or spotted
                                                                                                                                                                          things do you see?”

Ask for music or      25   Make a touch and      26   Color Tuesday        27     Make a grocery list 28 Library Day                   29   Find something           30   Sing a favorite         31
stories to play in         feel box with objects      Find two things in your     together and go to the Have a birthday                    red in your clothes.          song with your child.
your car.                  from outside. Have your    house that are your         store.                 party for a doll or
                           child reach in and guess   favorite color.                                    stuffed animal.
                           what he/she touches.

                                                                                              17
Make "going to Kindergarten"

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plans with your child.                                                                                  Me
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Visit your child’s school and                             Practice going to Kindergarten.
preview school activities.                                 Begin to gather school supplies with your child.
                                                           Play school with your child. Take turns being
Attend your school’s family open house, parent night        the teacher. Have story time, sing songs, draw
or “meet the teacher day.” Here are some things to do       pictures, play a game.
when you visit:
  Explore the classroom. Look at the books and           Maintain predictable family
   materials, find out where the children store
   backpacks, and hang coats.                             routines.
  Find out about the daily schedule for your child’s      Establish a regular bedtime for your child.
   class so you can talk about it at home.                  American Pediatrics recommends 10-13 hours
  Ask when do they have story time, lunch, outdoor         of sleep per night for children ages 3-5.
   play and rest time. Children understanding their        Be prepared for your morning “before school”
   schedule helps with transitions.                         times. Getting everyone up and off to school
  Locate the restrooms and water fountains.                can be hectic. Planning and getting                                    Girl vs. Squirrel by Hayley Barrett
                                                            organized the night before can eliminate
  Look for the cafeteria, the playground, the

                                                                                                          Recommended Books
                                                            transition problems for your child and                                 Weasel Is Worried by Ciara Gavin
   principal’s office, the nurse’s office, media center     a hassle free morning.
   and other special features of the school.                                                                                       Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hische
                                                           Designate a place for lunch boxes and
                                                            backpacks that need to go to school so                                 When My Brother Gets Home by
                                                            you aren’t scrambling in the morning.                                  Tom Lichtenheld
           LY
     MONTH                 Parent and Teacher Corner
                                                                                                                                   Goodnight Veggies by Diana Murray

      TIPS                                                                                                                         One of These Is Not Like the Others by
                                                                                                                                   Barney Saltzberg

                                                                   Transitioning to Kindergarten                                   Boxitexts by Kim Smith
                           The first days of school are            http://bit.ly/2z54nSQ
                           often tough for both young                                                                              Under My Tree by Muriel Tallandier
                           children and parents. When
you say goodbye, reassure your child that you will
see him or her later. Children don’t understand time               Helping Your Kindergartener
so mention a specific time and a concrete activity,                with Separation Anxiety
for example “I will pick you up after you have had                 http://bit.ly/2PTBLFK
lunch and gone out to play.”
August
      Sunday                       Monday                      Tuesday                      Wednesday                      Thursday                        Friday                     Saturday
Play “Hide & Seek”      1    Make a sandwich         2 Color Tuesday               3    Practice bouncing        4    Talk to your child  5        Look for things that    6    Plan a party for the   7
outside.                     with a face.                Find something purple          a ball. Count the             about their new              begin with “P.” Point        1st day of school.
                                                         in the kitchen.                number of bounces.            school-day bedtime           out the letter “P” in
                                                                                                                      and wake-up schedule.        print.

Pretend it is the       8    Help your child        9    Color Tuesday             10   Visit your new           11 Library Day               12   Practice writing your   13   Make up a story for    14
first day of school.         write his/her name          Organize what your             school and play on            Ask for stories about        name with crayons,           your child.
Practice ways to say         and identify each letter.   child will need for the        the playground.               families.                    markers, chalk, and
goodbye.                                                 first day of school.                                                                      pencils.

Take a picnic lunch     15   Practice taking turns   16 Color Tuesday              17   Paint on the             18   Make a costume out      19   Find words that         20   Write a letter to a    21
to a park.                   and sharing.                Find something purple          sidewalk with water.          of things you have at        rhyme with “me.”             special friend.
                                                         outside.                       Practice your letters.        home.

Find your favorite   22 Take a walk and talk 23          Color Tuesday             24   Help set the table.      25 Library Day               26   Practice your phone     27   Help your child draw 28
color flower outside    about the sounds you             Find something                 Count the plates.             Ask for books about          number and address           a picture and give it to
and tell someone what   hear.                            purple in a book or                                          friendships.                 with your child.             someone special.
color it is.                                             magazine.

Help your child         29   Practice zipping        30 Color Tuesday              31
make a list of things        and buttoning.              Draw a picture of
that make him/her                                        your new school.
happy.

                                                                                                   19
Help your child learn

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personal information.

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 Involve your child in learning personal
 information about themselves.
  My name is __________________________(includes child’s first and last name.)

  I am a _________________________ (girl or boy.)

  My mother’s name is _________________________________

  My father’s name is ___________________________________

  My address is ____________________________________________

  My phone number is _________________________
                                                                                                                              I Love My Teacher by Giles Andreae

           LY                                                                                                                 Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep by

                                                                                                          Recommended Books
     MONTH                                                                                                                    Eric Barclay

      TIPS                   Parent and Teacher Corner
                                                                                                                              We Will Rock our Classmates by
                                                                                                                              Ryan T. Higgins

                                                                                                                              In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

                                                                                                                              Arlo The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep by
                                                                                                                              Catherine Rayner
  Learning personal information is one of the          When asking about an address I would
   most important lessons you can teach your             say, “What is your address?” The next                                Cave DaDa by Brandon Reese
   child in case he or she gets lost or accidentally     day, I would ask, “Where do you live?
   separated from you.                                                                                                        Me and My Sister by Rose Robbins
  Ask the questions in different ways because in                                                                             Brick By Brick by Heidi Woodward
   an emergency you don’t know how your child                                                                                 Sheffield
   will be asked.                                               Teach Kids to Get Found
  When I taught this information I asked the                   When They're Lost
   questions in different ways. One day I might                 http://bit.ly/2QGaaVQ
   say, “What is your name?” The next day I might
   ask, “What’s your full name?”
September
      Sunday                       Monday                   Tuesday                   Wednesday                       Thursday                         Friday                       Saturday
                                                                                  Have your child          1     Library Day              2    Go outside. Find        3      Make a list of things     4
                                                                                  retell a story or event in     Ask about fall                rocks to make the first        that start with the
                                                                                  order (first, middle, last).   programs for kids.            letter of your name.           letters of your child’s
                                                                                                                                                                              first name.

Telephone someone       5 Rosh Hashanah           6 Color Tuesday           7     Go outside to play       8 Library Day                  9    Read and talk about       10 Patriot Day                 11
to say, “I love you.”                                 Find something silver or    or swing.                      Make a smiley face            people from other              Try a new food
                             Labor Day                gray in a book or                                          using fruits and              cultures.                      to eat.
                             Help clean up the yard   magazine.                                                  vegetables.
                             or a park.

Grandparents            12   Practice your phone 13 Color Tuesday          14 Yom Kippur                  15 Library Day                  16   Find something in         17   Find 10 circular      18
Day                          number and address.    Draw a picture using                                         Pick 2 books to               your pantry. Make it           objects in your home.
Find something to                                   silver or gray crayons.   Hispanic                           read today.                   together for dinner.
stack – how high can                                                              Heritage Month
you build it?                                                                     September 15 -
                                                                                  October 15
                                                                                  Make a collage with
                                                                                  leaves.

Practice naming         19   Wear the same        20 Color Tuesday         21 First Day of                22 Library Day                  23 Native                      24   Help your child        25
opposites.                   color clothes as         Find something silver or    Autumn                         Sing the nursery              American Day                   practice writing his/her
                             your child.              gray in your toys.          Find things that               rhyme "Twinkle,               Make a list of all your        last name.
                                                                                  begin with the letter “F.”     Twinkle, Little Star."        friends names.

Take a walk and       26     Buy some               27 Color Tuesday        28    Draw a picture of      29 Library Day             30
count the trees. Talk        sandpaper and cut         Find something silver or   your family and have      Check out new books at
about what animals live      out the letters of your   gray in the kitchen.       your child say the first  the library about Fall.
in trees.                    child’s name. Let him/                               and last name of each
                             her feel them.                                       member.

                                                                                              21
Invite your child to think

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and solve problems.                                                                                    Me
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 Ask questions:                             Play pattern games with your child.
   “Wow that is a tall tower! How many       Create a movement pattern and ask your child to repeat it.
    blocks did you use to make that            For example: -step-step-jump, step-step-jump
    structure? 1, 2, 3, 4. You used four            (take 2 steps forward, then jump)
    blocks to make that tower.”               Start a pattern using objects and ask your child to, “Make a pattern just like
   “Do you have your raincoat and             this one.” For example: fork, spoon, fork, spoon
    umbrella today? How does the
    raincoat protect you when it is cold
    and raining?”
                                            Provide opportunities to experience and
   “I noticed how you drew a triangle on   resolve challenges cooperatively.
    top of the square to make a structure     Give your child lots of time to play with other children. Encourage activities
    with a roof. How are those two              that involve sharing such as blocks, crayons, play dough and dress up
    shapes different?”                          clothes.
   “I wonder if we can build a tower out
    of marshmallows or sticks.”
   “What would happen if it started        Provide opportunities that encourage                                                              Fire Truck vs. Dragon by
    raining on our walk to school?”         thinking and problem solving.                                                                     Chris Barton

                                                                                                                          Recommended Books
   “I wonder why the leaves are              Work a puzzle together.
    turning yellow and brown?”                                                                                                                Swing by Michael Hall
                                              Play with play dough.
                                              Measure and pour water or sand.                                                                Sun And Moon Have a Tea Party by
                                              Build with LEGOs. Compare sizes, shapes and colors.                                            Yumi Heo
                   LY
      MONTH                       Parent and Teacher Corner
                                                                                                                                              The Good Egg Presents The Great
                                                                                                                                              Eggscape! by Jory John
       TIPS                                                                                                                                   Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura
                            Following directions is an
                            important skill for being            “Learning to follow directions can be a                                      Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark
                            successful in Kindergarten. Give     challenge for young children. This video                                     by Jonathan Stutzman
                            your child opportunities to be       contains tips for teaching young children to
 in activities where he/she is asked to listen and follow                                                                                     Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor
 directions for short periods of time like story times. Prior    listen and follow directions.”
                                                                 			                    - Sixty Second Parent                                 Foodie Faces by Bill Wurtzel
 to an activity, talk to your child about the expectations.
 This helps your child transition easier. After the activity,
 talk about what he/she enjoyed and praise him/her
 for sitting, listening and/or participating in the proper                   Following Directions
 manner. “I liked how you sat and listened to the                            http://bit.ly/2K6Jrzj
 story. You were a good example for other children to
 understand how to listen with your whole body.”
October
       Sunday                      Monday                    Tuesday                Wednesday                   Thursday                        Friday                   Saturday
Remember                                                                                                                                Find things around     1    Find something that   2
to change the                                                                                                                           the house that begin        rhymes with "sat".
batteries in                                                                                                                            with the letter "T."
the fire
and smoke
detectors.

Fire Prevention        3    Count groups of         4 Color Tuesday         5   Make up a story        6   Library Day             7    Sing the song          8    Take a walk after     9
Week                        ten using cereal like      Find something orange    about a stuffed animal     Ask for books about a        "If You’re Happy            the sun has set – what
                            Cheerios or beans.         in your clothes.         or puppet.                 favorite animal.             and You Know It."           is different?
Go outside and ask your
child to repeat patterns:
step-step-jump;
hop-clap-hop.

Talk about fall and   10 Columbus Day               11 Color Tuesday       12   Find things that      13 Library Day               14   Give your child       15 Let your child draw      16
make a picture of a         Talk about Columbus        Find something orange    begin with the             As you select fruits         newspaper and have       on the sidewalk
tree.                       Day. Draw 3 boats.         outside.                 letter "S."                and vegetables at the        him/her highlight each   with chalk.
                                                                                                           store have your child        "s" they find.
                                                                                                           name the colors.

Make a picnic lunch   17    Make no-cook play-      18 Color Tuesday       19   Make a card for a     20 Library Day               21   Visit a new park      22 Invite a friend over     23
and eat outside.            dough together.            Find something orange    friend. Deliver the        Ask the librarian to         today. Have your child   to play outdoors.
                            Find easy recipes at:      in a book or magazine.   special card!              share one of his/her         name objects on the
                            bestrecipes.com.au                                                             favorites.                   playground.

Find items that       24    Have your child      25 Color Tuesday       26 Read a story to your       27 Library Day               28   Take your child for    29   Find something at     30
begin with the same         match socks as you fold Find something orange  child. Point to each            Carve a pumpkin              a walk and collect          home to make a
letter.                     laundry.                in the kitchen         word as you read.               with mom or dad.             different kinds of          costume.
                                                                                                                                        leaves.
Halloween             31
Sort your Halloween
candy by names, sizes,
shapes, colors.
                                                                                           23
Help your child become aware of letters
and words at home and in the community.

Encourage your child to “read”                              Help your child recognize his or
familiar signs.                                             her own first name
 Give your child printed materials such as magazines,
  grocery store ads, and menus from your favorite
                                                            in print.
  restaurants to play with.                                  Say each letter in your child’s name out loud
 Invite your child to “read” road and business signs          when you write his or her name.
  as you drive.                                              Add alphabet letter magnets that are found in
                                                              your child’s name on the refrigerator or a cookie
                                                              sheet for your child to play with.
Give your child opportunities to                             Encourage your child to arrange the letters in
recognize and name letters of                                 the correct order using his or her name.
the alphabet.                                                Place the alphabet letter magnets in a bag and
                                                              pull out a letter one at a time and name them.
 Encourage your child to find letters in his or her name
   in signs that you see.
 Read alphabet books and allow him or her to name the                                                                            Little Green Donkey by
   letters he or she recognizes.                                                                                                  Anuska Allepuz

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                                                                                                                                  No More Naps by Chris Grabenstein

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           LY                                                                            Me                                       Wonderful World ABC by Tim Hopgood

     MONTH                                                                          Giveve!
                                                                                      Fi                                          That’s My Carrot! By Il Sung Na

      TIPS
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                                                                                                                                  You Matter by Christian Robinson
                              Parent and Teacher Corner                                                                           Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the
                                                                                                                                  Backyard Treasures by Tricia
                                                                                                                                  Springstubb

                                                                     Becoming Aware of Print                                      Every Little Letter by Deborah
Print awareness is a necessary skill children need                                                                                Underwood
                                                                     http://bit.ly/2JZue2M
to begin to learn to read. To recognize letters and
understand that each letter has a meaning will help                                                                               I Am One: A Book of Action by
                                                                                                                                  Susan Verde
a child begin to understand how words are formed.                    The importance of reading aloud:
As a parent/teacher, you can build print awareness                   Tips for reading to children
skills at home/school by reading books, making                       http://bit.ly/2DBBZLU
letters, words and print outside of the home a part
of every day.
November
      Sunday                     Monday                      Tuesday                Wednesday                   Thursday                        Friday                    Saturday
                                                   1                        2                          3                           4                            5                          6
                           Exercise with your          Election Day.             Count the number          Library Day                  Help your child build       Put a leaf under a
                           child. Count the number                               of days on the calendar   Play a game that             his/her name using          sheet of paper and rub
                           of arm circles or hops.     VOTE!                     until Thanksgiving.       involves taking turns        magnetic letters.           your crayon over it.

Daylight Savings       7   Name four things       8    Color Tuesday        9    Have your child      10 Veterans Day           11      Pretend to be a        12   Hide a treasure in      13
Time ends                  that rhyme with “pig.”      Find something brown      write and decorate their                               bear – talk about what      the house and then give
Change your clocks                                     outside.                  name and display it on   Library Day                   sounds they make, what      your child clues to find
                                                                                 their bedroom door.      Ask for holiday books.        color they are, what they   it.
                                                                                                                                        eat….

Sing a favorite     14 Find things that          15 Color Tuesday           16   Make a decoration   17 Library Day                18   Practice the            19 Trace your hands to 20
holiday song together. begin with the letter           Find something brown      for Thanksgiving.         Ask for books about          “ABC” song.                 make turkeys. Color the
                       “T.”                            in a book or magazine.                              food or cooking.                                         tail feathers.

Help your child         21 Go to the grocery 22 Color Tuesday           23 Count how many         24 Thanksgiving        25             Help your child        26 Enjoy a family movie    27
make a list of the things store and have your        Find something brown  chairs are in the house.  Enjoy some good food.              make a list of all the    night – have hot
he/she is thankful for.    child help pick items for in the kitchen.                                                                    things that he/she can    chocolate & cookies.
                           Thanksgiving.                                                                                                do “all by myself.”

Hanukkah              28   Help your child         29 Color Tuesday        30
Begins                     practice putting on        Play I Spy something
                           his/her winter coat.       brown at home.
Line up all your           Try the flip-coat trick
cars/trucks. Use a ruler   method (ask Google).
to measure the line.

                                                                                           25
Make math a “hands on”
learning experience for your child.
 Use recycled materials such as small boxes, paper towel      Include addition and subtraction words as you talk with
 tubes, and bottle tops to involve your child in addition     your child.
 and subtraction and “more” or “less” activities.              Make a recipe with your child. Use math words like
  Pretend you are a zookeeper. Put 3 animals in one             first, second and third to describe the steps.
   cage and 5 animals in another. Say to your child,           Talk about measurements as you
   “Show me the cage that has more animals.”                     use measuring cups and spoons.
  Add variety to math games. Use paper towel tubes            “You have 5 crackers and I have 3. Do you have
   as tunnels for the counting bears and small boxes as          more crackers or fewer crackers than I do?”
   garages for cars.                                           “You put 4 crayons in a box. Now add 2 more.
  How many forks, napkins and spoons do we need to              How many crayons are in the box?”
   make sure each person gets one?
 Explore Measurement                                          Tell stories and read books that include math ideas,
  Measure with straws, sticks, counting bears, shoes,        books in which characters are added or subtracted
    paperclips.                                               as the story progresses.
  Are you taller or shorter than your siblings?               Read number books such as Five Little Ducks.
  Help your child measure your foot and then measure            As a duck goes away, ask your child how                              Ten on a Twig by Lo Cole
   his or hers.

                                                                                                                  Recommended Books
                                                                 many ducks are left.                                                 This is a Dog by Ross Collins
  Use words like smallest to largest, shortest to tallest,
   lightest to heaviest.
                                                                                                                                      Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring

                                                                                                 Play
                                                                                                                                      World of Mister Rogers Hardcover by

                                                                                          Talk

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                                                                                                                                      Matthew Cordell
                                                                                                             Do

      O N T H LY                                                                              Me                                      Smart George by Jules Feiffer
    M                            Parent and Teacher Corner
                                                                                         Giveve!
                                                                                           Fi
      TIPS                                                                                          Write                             Pitter Pattern by Joyce Hessleberth

                                                                                                                                      Do Not Go in There! by Ariel Horn
                          Research shows that the
                          best time to introduce math
                                                                                                                                      How to Write a Story by Kate Messner
                          concepts to young children
                          is between ages of birth to                   Everyday Fun With
                                                                                                                                      Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds
 five because this is the time their brain is rapidly                   Addition and Subtraction
 developing. Young children learn best with hands-                      http://bit.ly/2OGh8by
 on experiences. The home and classroom are full
 of opportunities to integrate math into children's
 routines and activities through play that involves
 games, songs, and books that are already a part of
 the child's day.
December
      Sunday                      Monday                     Tuesday                 Wednesday                      Thursday                        Friday                      Saturday
                                                                                  Pretend you are       1      Library Day               2   Make some cookies        3   Build a fort or igloo   4
                                                                                  rowing a boat – count        Make a list of your           and decorate with            with blankets, sheets
                                                                                  as you row.                  favorite foods or toys.       sprinkles.                   or pillows.

Play some music,       5    Hanukkah               6   Pearl Harbor          7    Draw a star and          8   Library Day               9   Sing a favorite     10       Have your child help    11
have child “freeze”         Ends                       Remembrance                decorate with glitter.       Check out books about         holiday song.                you make pizza for
when you stop the                                                                                              kindness.                                                  dinner.
music.                      Have your child            Color Tuesday
                            help write his/her name    Find something gold
                            in holiday cards.          in a book or magazine

Sing "Frosty the  12 Name two words 13 Color Tuesday             14 Use socks or paper 15                      Library Day           16      Go on a family         17 Draw a picture of          18
Snowman" and hope    that rhyme with 'snow'. Find something gold in bags to make puppets                       Have your child               car ride/walk and talk    your family.
for snow.                                    the kitchen.           for each member of                         help you cut wrapping         about the holiday lights
                                                                    your family.                               paper for presents.           you see.

Sing and act out       19   Give your child a      20 First Day of           21   Have a parent help       22 Library Day            23 Christmas Eve            24 Christmas                     25
"Hickory Dickory            household job like         Winter                     you draw a red and           Talk about your favorite      Make a snowman               Day
Dock."”                     setting the table or                                  white candy cane.            memory/thing that             with 1 hat, 2 eyes,
                            helping to prepare         Color Tuesday              Talk about patterns.         happened this year.           3 snowballs, on paper
                            a meal.                    Find something gold                                                                   or outside!
                                                       in your toys.

Kwanzaa Begins         26   Count up to 20         27 Color Tuesday          28   Count the “giant      29 Library Day               30 New Year's Eve           31
Talk about what             and back down to           Find something             steps” from the front    Draw or write a                   Decorate party hats to
you’re excited about        0 with your child.         gold in your toys..        door to the back door.   thank you note to                 celebrate.
for next year.                                                                                             someone.

                                                                                             27
Am I Ready for Kindergarten?
Give Me
              Benchmarks for Kindergarten Readiness
   Five!

    Talk      Have a conversation so each person has at least two turns.

   Play       Begin to share materials and experiences and take turns.

  Read        Ask and answer questions when sharing books.
              Count and make groups of 1-5 objects.
     Do
              Keep working on an activity of their choice even if it is difficult.
              Use scribbles, letterlike forms or drawings that represent people,
 Write
              things or events.
               Play
       Talk

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                            Do
            Me
       Giveve!
         Fi
                   Wri te
Kindergarten Registration
Information
All parents/legal guardians               Paperwork Required
of children who will be five              In most cases, the parent/legal guardian
years of age on or before                 will need to bring the following for
September 1, 2021 are                     kindergarten registration:
encouraged to register their               Child’s official birth certificate
children for kindergarten.                  (with raised seal)

                                           Proof of residency (required for
                                            all registrants) – copy of signed
Early registration begins                   mortgage, contract to build or lease
as early as January 2021                    agreement showing the owner/
for the 2021-2022 school                    resident’s name and address OR
                                            TWO of the following items:
year. Check with your local
school district for your                      Utility bills which have the name
                                               and address of the resident                   Health
kindergarten registration                                                                    Requirements
information.                                  Valid driver’s license
                                                                                             All students entering kindergarten must provide
                                              Voter registration card                       documentation of a current physical examination
                                                                                             and immunizations PRIOR to STARTING school
                                              State medical card                            AND proof of an eye AND dental exam. You do
                      Re Play

                                                                                             not need proof of a physical, eye or dental exam to
                lay
              Talk

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       Talk

                        ad

                                              Notarized affidavit of residency from the     register your child.
                           Re
              P

                                               parent or person with whom the child is
                                     Do        residing, affirming that the child eats and   It is recommended that you schedule appointments
                                Do
                 e Me
                                               sleeps at the residence.                      for your child’s kindergarten physical, eye and
            ive
            M
      GiveGeF! ive!
                                                                                             dental exam by April! Students who do not have
                                                                                             physical, eye and dental exams by the first day of
        Fiv         Wri te                                                                   school will NOT be allowed to attend school.
                 Wri t
                       e
                                                                 29
Local Libraries

Library storytimes
boost language skills
and reading readiness
through stories,              Gail Borden                  Algonquin Area          Bartlett
songs, fingerplays,           Public Library               Public Library          Public Library
                                                                                   www.bartlettlibrary.org
and rhymes.                   www.gailborden.info          www.aapld.org
                                                                                   800 S. Bartlett Road
                              Main Location                Main Library            Bartlett, IL 60103
                              270 N. Grove Ave.            2600 Harnish Drive      630-837-2855
                              Elgin, Illinois 60120        Algonquin, IL 60102
Look for your library's       847-742-2411                 847-458-6060            Poplar Creek
storytime schedule on         Rakow Branch                 Branch Library          Public Library
their website or give         2751 W. Bowes Rd.            115 Eastgate Drive      www.pclib.org
them a call.                  Elgin, IL 60124
                              847-531-7271
                                                           Algonquin, IL 60102
                                                                                   Main Library
                                                           847-658-4343
                                                                                   1405 S. Park Avenue
                              South Elgin Branch                                   Streamwood, IL 60107
                              127 S. McLean Blvd.          Fox River Valley        630-837-6800
                              South Elgin, IL 60177        Public Library          Sonya Crawshaw Branch
                              847-931-2090
             Play

                                                           www.frvpld.info
      Talk

                    ad

                                                                                   4300 Audrey Lane
                    Re

                              Ella Johnson                 Dundee Library
                                                                                   Hanover Park, IL 60133
                         Do                                                        630-837-6800
                              Memorial Public              555 Barrington Avenue
          Me                                               East Dundee, IL 60118
     Giveve!                  Library                      847-428-3661            St. Charles
       Fi                     www.ellajohnsonlibrary.org                           Public Library
                Wri te        109 S. State Street
                                                           Randall Oaks Branch
                                                           500 N. Randall Road     www.scpld.org
                              Hampshire, IL 60140
                                                           West Dundee, IL 60118   1 South Sixth Avenue
                              847-683-4490
                                                           847-428-3661            St. Charles, IL 60174
Community Agencies
School physical, eye and dental exams                                                                      Developmental
                                                                                                           Screenings
Aunt Martha's Carpentersville                    Greater Elgin Family Care Center
                                                                                                           All children develop in unique ways and at different rates. Screenings are a fun and
Community Health Center                          Provides quality, affordable, health care services
                                                 including pediatrics, family practice, psychiatry,        comfortable way to learn how a child is developing, and to address developmental questions
Provides medical, dental and mental health                                                                 parents and caregivers may have. Call your local school district to learn more about
services for children and adults. Health Care    WIC, obstetrics/gynecology, dental care and
                                                 health care benefits enrollment. School-based             developmental screenings in your area.
services include: sick care, routine check-ups
for well children, lead and health screenings,   services are also provided at numerous area               School District U-46                            DayOne PACT -
immunizations, school and sports physicals,      schools.                                                  For developmental screenings.                   Child & Family Connections
serving both insured and uninsured               » www.gefcc.org                                                                                           Early Interventions provides services
individuals.                                                                                               » (847) 888-5000 X 6094
                                                                                                                                                           for children under the age of 3 with
                                                 » Summit Health Center                                                                                    developmental delays.
» www.auntmarthas.org                                                                                      Central CUSD 301
                                                   373 Summit Street
» 3003 Wakefield Drive                                                                                     Provides screenings for developmental           » www.dayonepact.org
                                                   Elgin IL 60120
                                                                                                           delays for children ages 3-5.
  Carpentersville, IL 60110                        (847) 608-1344                                                                                          » 1551 E. Fabyan Pkwy.
  (847) 851-8600                                                                                           » 275 South St.                                   Geneva, IL 60134
                                                 » Seneca Health Center
                                                                                                             P.O. Box 396                                    (630) 879-2277
                                                   450 Dundee Avenue
VNA Health Center                                                                                            Burlington, IL 60109                            Toll Free (888) 282-0997
Provides quality health care services to           Elgin IL 60120
                                                   (847) 608-1344                                            (847) 464-6005
everyone. Accepts Medicaid/All Kids, Blue                                                                                                                  Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley
Cross/Blue Shield, Harmony and most PPOs.        » Streamwood Community Health Center                      St. Charles CUSD 303                            Provides services to help children and adults
» www.vnahealth.org                                135 E. Irving Park Road                                                                                 with disabilities and/or special needs as well
                                                                                                           » www.foxridge.d303.org                         as support to their families.
                                                   Streamwood, IL 60107
» 620 Wing Street                                                                                          » Fox Ridge School
  Elgin, IL 60123
                                                   (630) 313-5300                                                                                          » easterseals.com/dfv
                                                                                                             1905 Tyler Road
  (847) 717-6455                                 » Randall Health Center                                     St. Charles, IL 60174                         » 799 S. McLean Blvd.
                                                   1435 N. Randall Rd.                                                                                       Elgin, IL 60123
» 801 Villa Street                                                                                           (331) 228-4834
                                                   Suite 410                                                                                                 (847) 742-3264
  Elgin, IL 60120
                                                   Elgin, IL 60123
  (847) 717-6455
                                                   847-608-1344
Well Child Center
                                                 Lossman Eye Care Associates
                                                                                                           More Assistance
Provides dental services to youth between
the ages of 1 and 18 years old who are           Eye exams are covered by Medicaid/All Kids.               YWCA CCR&R                                      Centro de Información
either underinsured or uninsured, promoting      Glasses are available.                                    Finding quality, convenient and affordable      Provides bilingual advocacy, information
                                                                                                           child care is not an easy job. The YWCA         and referral, immigration and naturalization
good oral and preventive healthcare as a         » www.lossmaneyecare.com
way of life.                                                                                               assists parents and caretakers in their         services, parenting skills training, community
                                                 » 96 N. Kennedy Drive                                     search for child care and preschools through    education and youth programs.
» www.wellchildcenter.org                          Carpentersville, IL 60110                               referrals, individual counseling and provider
                                                                                                           workshops.                                      » 1885 Lin Lor Lane
» 620 Wing Street                                  (847) 428-4884                                                                                            Elgin, IL 60123
  Elgin, IL 60123                                                                                          » (630) 790-6600                                  (847) 695-9050
  (847) 741-7370
                                                                                                           » www.ywcachicago.org                           www.centrodeinformacion.org

                                                                                                      31
Discover the Path of Early Learning
The Born Learning Trail                                                                               The Elgin Partnership
The Born Learning Trail is a series of learning activities that any                                   for Early Learning
adult can play with young children outdoors in nature’s classroom.
There are 10 signs, each including activities such as Imagine!                                        The Elgin Partnership for Early
Create! Pretend!, which encourages the caregiver to spur the                                          Learning (EPEL) is a collaboration
child’s imagination and storytelling skills and See! Say! Point!                                      that partners with the Greater Elgin
                                                                                                      community to prepare children for
Read!, which builds letter and sound recognition through word                                         success in school and life.
play and rhymes.
                                                                                                      EPEL’s website is designed to help
There are four Born Learning Trail Locations:                                                         Parents and Caregivers find the
                                                                                                      resources you need to best serve
 » Channing Park - 35 Rugby Trail, Elgin 60120                                                        your child in the community.
 » Copper Springs Park                                                                                You will find:
   380 Copper Springs Lane, Elgin 60124                                To learn more about the Born
                                                                       Learning Trails, visit:          » Community Resources
 » Illinois Park Center for Early Learning
   1350 Wing Street, Elgin 60123                   333 S. Wabash
                                                                       www.bornlearning.org/trails      » Professional Services
                                                   30th Floor
 » Willard Elementary School                       Chicago, IL 60604
                                                                                                        » Confidential Developmental
   370 W Spring Street, South Elgin 60177          847-768-1257
                                                                                                          Screenings
                                                                                                        » Child Care Opportunities
Move, Play and Talk Signs                                                                               » Parent/Caregiver Resources
Come visit Festival Park 132 S. Grove Street in downtown Elgin to                                     Call our toll-free 844-KID-INFO line
interact with the new Early Learning Park Signs. The signs were                                       to speak to someone in English or
designed to build critical kindergarten readiness skills to boost                                     Spanish to answer questions about
brain development, all while having fun. The signs offer ideas for                                    childcare, parenting support and
the splash park and playground area to move, play and talk with                                       resources. Give us a call!
a friend or caregiver. The signage incorporates messaging from                                        www.elginpartnership.org
the “Give Me Five” hand of Talk, Play, Read,
Do and Write. This messaging reminds                                                                  1-844-KID-INFO
                                                        Play

us keep these five simple acts in place
                                                 Talk

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when interacting with children in everyday                                                            1-844-543-4636
                                                               Re

activities, as it will help build a strong                     Do                                     Parenting isn't easy. We are
foundation for young children to be ready                 e                                           here to find support, resources,
                                                 G ive M!                                             and early childhood programs
for kindergarten.                                   Fiv e
                                                           Write                                      for you and your family.
                                                                                                      Call us toll-free today!
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