Activities aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards to help your child prepare for Kindergarten.
Welcome to Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Each month, the Kindergarten, Here I Come! newsleĥer will provide informaĕon you can use to help your preschooler
prepare for Kindergarten. Acĕviĕes: These acĕviĕes will help give your preschooler the foundaĕon for posiĕve and happy school experiences.
The acĕviĕes are linked to the PA Early Learning Standard which are used in pre‐kindergarten programs throughout
Pennsylvania. Books: The books each month will help support the acĕviĕes and may help your preschooler beĥer understand a
parĕcular concept. Visit your local library to find the books menĕoned each month, or ask your librarian to help you
find a similar book.
Tips and Resources: Each month you can find ĕps and resources to help your preschooler learn and get ready for
Kindergarten. You can share your favorites with your friends and family!
Do you know a friend who would like to get the Kindergarten, Here I Come! newsleĥer? They can sign up! Let's Play and Learn
Did you know that when preschoolers play, they learn? It's true! Use these acĕviĕes to encourage your preschooler to
play. Then visit the library to find a book about the acĕvity.
We're learning Language and Literacy Skills
Do it!
Find an object around the house and ask your preschooler to think of words that rhyme or sound the same. Nonsense
words are okay, too. If your preschooler is not able to come up with a rhyme on their own, give them opĕons. "Does cat
rhyme with chair? Does cat rhyme with hat?" If you can pair the objects with the words, even beĥer. Make it a fun
game. Your preschooler may be able to let you know they understand the rhyme by their facial expressions and
vocalizaĕons. Rhymes are funny and will probably make you both smile. Read it!
Five Liĥle Monkeys Siħng in a Tree by Eileen Christelow. Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss.
We're learning through Play
Do it!
Play the "Opposite Game." Say a word and see if your preschooler can say the opposite. You say, "Walk" and your
preschooler says, "Run." You say, "Happy" and your preschooler says, "Sad." Create your own song to a simple tune like,
"Mary had a liĥle lamb" using opposite words. Act out the moĕons and facial expressions whenever possible. Read it!
Octopus Opposites by Stella Blackstone. Two Liĥle Trains by Margaret Wise Brown.
We're learning Science Thinking and Technology
Do it!
While outside, throw different kinds of balls into the air. Talk about which one goes higher, faster, and further. Tip:
Smaller the child, the larger the ball. Read it!
Biggest, Strongest, Fastest by Steve Jenkins. Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen.
We're learning Mathemaĕcal Thinking and Expression
Do it!
Create sound paĥerns using your hands or mouths. Ask your preschooler to repeat them. (Clap, clap, tap. Or finger
snap, tongue click, finger snap.) Physically pat or tap your preschooler's arm or hand as you do this. You can also assist
them in clapping or paħng.
Read it!
The Best Bug Parade by Stuart J. Murphy. The Napping House by Audrey Wood and Don Wood.
Click here to print this list.
Visit PA's Promise for Children for more books and acĕviĕes!
What can you do with the monthly book lists? Each month Kindergarten, Here I Come provides a list of books that compliment the acĕviĕes. What
can you do with this list?
Print the list and take it to your local library. Your librarian can help you find the books on
the list. Then read the books with your preschooler. Help your preschooler circle or cross
out the books on the list as you read them.
Make a short video of your preschooler reading or giving a book review of one of the
books on the list. What was their favorite part of the book? Share the video with family
and friends. Tag PA's Promise for Children on Facebook, Twiĥer or Instagram!
Share the list with your friends who have children. You can forward this email to them!
Visit PA's Promise for Children where you can share this list via social media, like Facebook or Pinterest.
If you are a teacher, print this list and give it to the families of your students. Or post this list where families
can see it so they'll know which books are being read in your classroom.
If you are an early learning community partner, host a special reading event for families using the monthly
book lists. If you'd like to have the lists in advance to plan an event, let us know.
How do you use this book list? Share with us on PA's Promise for Children, the Facebook page, or even send it to Mary
at [email protected]. Making Routines Work for Your Preschooler Rouĕnes are a part of all of our lives, but are especially important for preschoolers.
Rouĕnes help them feel safe and secure. They can also help preschoolers learn important
social skills, like self‐control and waiĕng their turn‐‐things your preschooler will need for
Kindergarten. Rouĕnes make transiĕons from one acĕvity to the next easier, too. Discover family‐recommended songs, books, and apps on the PA's Promise for Children
website to help preschoolers with rouĕnes. Build a Better World at Your Local Library
Registraĕon for the 2017 Summer Reading Program at local libraries begins in June! Build a
Beĥer World is the state‐wide theme. Story ĕmes and acĕviĕes happening throughout the
summer for children birth through teens will reflect this theme and encourage children to
keep reading over the summer months. Going on vacaĕon? No worries‐‐parĕcipants can join at any ĕme. Get more info at your local library. Find Summer Meals in Your Community
Nutriĕous free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many
locaĕons throughout Pennsylvania throughout the summer while school is out of
session. Use the mapping tool at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to
find a site near you.
Healthy Eating Habits Do you want to make sure your preschooler eats healthy foods? Now is the ĕme to make sure your preschooler develops
an appeĕte for healthy foods and good eaĕng habits. Check out the ĕps from PA's Promise to help your preschooler get
into healthy foods. Pennsylvania CHIP offers care for preschoolers by providing benefits to cover health care.
Visit www.chipcoverspakids.com for more informaĕon on the health services covered by PA CHIP and how to apply. Should your preschooler drink juice? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised policy on juice recommends that preschool aged
children (4‐6 years) limit juice to no more than 4‐6 ounces per day. This is the amount in a typical
juice box. Children should also not be allowed to carry a cup or juice box throughout the day. The
evidence is clear that over‐consumpĕon of juice can lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Click
here to see what other opĕons there are for preschoolers when thirsty.
6 Tips for Summer Safety Sun shining, warmer temperatures‐‐it's almost ĕme for summer fun! Help keep your preschooler safe while having fun
this summer season with these six ĕps. 1. Prevent heatstroke 2. Secure pool areas 3. Protect from bug bites 4. Use sunscreen 5. Stay hydrated 6. Keep cool What are your favorite summer ĕps? Click here to share them. Click here to print 6 Tips for Summer Safety.
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Thank you to our Include Me partners for ensuring the acĕviĕes in this newsleĥer are inclusive of all children
and their families.
The Arc of Pennsylvania's Include Me program aims to increase the capacity of parents and professionals to
include children with all abiliĕes in all aspects of life.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides families access to high quality
services to prepare children for school and life success. Find more informaĕon about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Educaĕon | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Pennsylvania Keys to Quality | Pennsylvania's Promise for Children
Early Intervenĕon Technical Assistance
We are where you are!