Have you ever thought about how perfect the song Head Shoulders Knees and Toes is? It’s been a childhood favorite for a long time! Perhaps you heard this version of it on Mr. Rogers. In any language, this super short song packs so much learning in less than a minute: vocabulary, physical movement, and pointing Read More
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The State of Best Beginnings
During the past few months Alaskans were loud and clear in their messages to legislators and the governor about ensuring state support for early learning – for Head Start, PreK, Parents as Teachers, and Best Beginnings. And, in the end, those messages were heard, and the governor signed an operating budget that included that support: Read More
Books You’ll Love About Family
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B Schiffer (Preschool) At her school, Stella’s teacher announces that they will have a Mother’s Day celebration, but Stella doesn’t have a mother to bring. She has two daddies and many other relatives who care for her instead. How will Stella solve the “problem” of whom to invite to the Read More
Activities for Families
Play House: Dramatic play is an essential part of early childhood. Watching children play at being a family reveals what they see, hear, and feel in their day to day life. Playing house is one of the most popular themes for young children. Possible props can be dolls, keys, stuffed animals as pets, and other Read More
Ways to Celebrate Family
Six Ways to Celebrate Family Look through family photos together. As you talk about them, make sure to point and name everyone. Help your child draw a picture of your family. Alternatively, you could work on any kind of craft project and give it to a family member. Write a letter/postcard to someone in your Read More
Learning With Family
Ever heard the saying that parents are their child’s first teacher? Your family, whether it’s made up of two or twenty members, is the best place for your young child to learn about the world. If you add siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, best friends, foster siblings, and step family, then there are even more Read More
A New Chapter
This month, close to 10,000 Alaska children are starting a new chapter in their young lives: kindergarten. They will be a mixed bunch. Some will have attended Head Start or other classroom-based preschool, some will have stayed at home with a parent or other caregiver, and others will have been cared for in a family Read More
Books You’ll Love for On the Go
Backseat A-B-see by Maria Van Lieshout (Toddler, Preschool) This fun version of the classic alphabet book uses many different kinds of street signs that your little one may see from their point of view in the backseat. Can you guess what sign would work for L? Hint: it’s the place you can find this book! ▸ Read More
Ways You Can Help Your Child with Literacy on the Go
There are so many great ways you can engage your kiddos while you’re out and about. Here are a few suggestions: Keep books in the car Make up silly songs about what you’re doing together Talk about your day together using your five senses to describe new places and experiences Listen and sing along to Read More
Literacy on the Go
August in Alaska is busy! There’s still so much time to spend outdoors, to enjoy vacation, and to prepare for fall. For some families, August is also time for children to transition to kindergarten. Whether you’re at home doing chores, out running errands, or on a family trip, your child can learn so much about Read More