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Early Years: Home

Units of Inquiry

Five Early Literacy Practices

Reading: Shared reading is the most important activity you can engage in with your child to help them develop the skills needed to learn how to read. Make a goal to read for 15-20 minutes every day.  

Writing: Reading and writing go hand in hand. When children see print being used in their daily lives, they begin to understand that there is a connection between printed letters and spoken words.  

Singing: Singing to or with your child helps them learn new vocabulary and slows down language so that they can hear the individual sounds and syllables in words. Your child loves to hear the sound of your voice, so don't worry if you can't sing!

Talking: Children learn new words and concepts by listening to adults speak and joining in the conversation. Ask your child open ended questions that begin with wh- (who, what, where, when, why) to encourage back and forth discussions.  

Playing: Play allows children to explore and learn about the world around them, put their thoughts in words by talking about what they are doing and provides opportunities for positive social interactions with others.

Movement

GoNoodle® has movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. Families can sign in for a free account. 

Book Suggestions

Sight Word Books

Books with simple, repetitive language will help children practice reading high frequency words.

Rhyming Books

Rhyming books help children recognize words that contain the same sounds.

Counting Books

Practicing writing numbers and counting with these great titles.

Shape Books

Learning shapes will help children learn to recognize letters.

Lift the Flap Books

Help your child develop motor skills with these interactive stories.

Board Books

Board books are great for early learners due to their durability and bright illustrations.

Nursery Rhyme Books

Nursery rhymes help children learn new words and concepts.

Picture Books You Can Sing

These books can be sung or read!

Wordless Picture Books

Create your own story with wordless picture books.

Nonfiction Books

Nonfiction books encourage children to ask questions and have conversations.

Interactive Books

Books that require participation from the reader will encourage conversation and help your child increase vocabulary.

Predictable Books

Books with repeated words, phrases and sentences will help children predict what will happen next.

Educational Apps

Khan Academy Kids

An award-winning free app that includes thousands of educational activities, books, songs, and games for toddlers to first graders. 

Preschool Puzzle Town

Highlights is a collection of games for preschool kids. There's no reading required, although the hidden pictures puzzles have the option to have the words displayed with the images. Although the app is free, parents must sign up for a subscription before kids can play.

Fish School

This app exposes preschoolers to important concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, colors, matching, and more. This app was the winner of a Parents' Choice Gold Award and a Children's Technology Review Editor's Choice Award.

Moose Math

This app is for ages 3-7. It engages kids in a mathematical adventure and teaches counting, addition, subtraction, sorting, geometry and more. 

Duck Duck Moose Reading

Teaches phonics and reading skills in a fun zoo-themed adventure. With word and letter activities, kids learn by playing with flamingos, monkeys, lions and more. This app is for ages 3-7.

Starfall Learn to Read

An app version of the stellar learn-to-read website, Starfall. There are 15 mini-books, each focusing on a specific vowel, along with videos and activities to enhance literacy learning. 

The Cat in the Hat Builds That

This is a companion app to the PBS Kids STEM-based TV series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That. The app includes three games that touch on science and engineering learning for preschoolers.

PBS Kids Games

A collection of games from the PBS website. There are more than 25 educational games from popular PBS Kids franchises, such as Arthur, Dinosaur Train, and Super Why! 

 

A collection of games

I NEED (TO)

Educational Websites

Peep and the Big Wide World

The animated series gives wings to the innovative idea of teaching science and math to preschoolers. Wry and distinctive visual humor, charming plot-lines, and lovable characters combine with a comprehensive science program to attract and engage kids three to five years old.

Peg + Cat

An animated math-based series for children ages 3-5 years old. The show follows the adorable, spirited Peg and her sidekick Cat as they embark on adventures, solve problems together, and learn foundational math concepts and skills.

ES ONLINE RESOURCES