RSD13 Summer Learning - July Edition K by Jenny Lussier

My ABC's

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Write ABC’s on sticky notes, index cards, or use puzzle pieces, and have your children arrange them in alphabetical order. After putting the letters in order, say a word and have them find the letter that begins with that sound. For example, the parent says apple, and your child finds the A. Mix the letters up and have your child put them in order again.

Click on the link for printable alphabet tracing pages - just choose the letter you would like your child to practice!

It's Written in the Sand!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Practice letter or number formation and strengthening fine motor skills by having your child form letters on a sand tray.
Gather clean sand (if possible). Rice also works. Find a tray (cookie sheets or serving trays work well). Have your child practice letters right in the sand or rice! Gently shake to start over!

Days of the Week Flip Flaps

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Flip-flaps are a fun platform for practicing writing, spelling, sequencing and drawing. A flip-flap is very similar to a flip chart or a weekly calendar. Kids get to explore days of the week, track special and routine activities on each day, practice writing time, and have fun drawing pictures. This is a great opportunity to model and practice spelling and to discuss yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Alphabet Book

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Let your child play with the alphabet! Put them to work, creating a book that will keep them busy, and help them practice their letters, too. Long after all those preschool finger paintings have left the front of your refrigerator, you can look back at this book, for a glimpse at what your preschooler thought was special.

Make a Name Puzzle

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Preschoolers are the kings and queens of scribble scrabble. While their “words” don’t quite make sense yet, all that scribbling means that they’re starting to understand that written letters have meaning. You can help your child make the leap to the next level—understanding that letters put together in a certain order make words—by working with a sure-to-be favorite: your child’s own name.

Make Peace Rocks

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

With school, home, and activities in between, life can sometimes feel chaotic to kids. Help your child learn how to stop and relax with handmade peace rocks. This activity encourages them to tap into their artistic side while learning strategies to find peace every day. Visit this link for more information.

Understanding Others

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Empathy is a trait that is natural for most people and can be deepened over time. Empathy and understanding others are valuable tools for community and relationships! In this social emotional learning activity for kindergarteners and first graders, your child will be given images that portray different perspectives or emotions. Young learners will practice empathy by writing or describing what each person may have been thinking or feeling, and then creating an art project of their choosing to serve as a reminder to practice empathy. Click here for the activity.

Take a Stand!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Knowing how to take a stand for others who may be bullied or picked on is valuable in friendships, families, schools, and communities. In this social emotional learning activity, your child will discuss how to take a stand for others. Then young learners will use pipe cleaners to design a symbol that reminds them to stand up for others. Geared toward kindergarten and first grade students, this activity will help give your child the tools to resist inappropriate social pressures and learn to practice empathy and mindful communication. Click here for the activity.

Roll and Move!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Here's a super fun and easy way to get up a move! Grab some dice (one will actually do just fine!). Roll away, and move according to the directions! You never know what move you'll be making next! Click on the link to see the Roll and Move sheets.

It's Snack Time

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Choosing healthy snacks is an important skill children should know. With help from an adult,

make a healthy snack to

enjoy. Talk about what

makes it a healthy choice. If you want, print the "My Healthy Snack" recording sheet to keep track of healthy snacks so your child can return to them later:

A Moving Experience

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Here's a fun and super easy challenge you can pose to your soon-to-be Kindergartner:
Choose an object in your house (something that your child can lift easy and is safe to carry-nothing breakable or valuable!)
*Find a way to carry it from one place to another without using your hands!!

Color Collage

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Have you ever watched your child sort objects into groups without being asked or prompted? Has he divvied up his candy on Halloween night, or put his Matchbox cars in groups according to color? Preschool kids find sorting and classifying objects fun, because it brings about a sense of organization and accomplishment. And the best news is, all this sorting helps with kindergarten math and science success. Before sorting, kids make conscious and unconscious guesses about what group might have more or less, and sorting allows them to qualify or disqualify their assumptions.

Sensory Table

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

It's a place designed for squishing, sifting, sorting, digging and pouring, where children can get messy, discover, and play freely. It's a sensory table. And almost every preschool has one. Now you can duplicate this sensory stimulation device at home, too! Here's a link to get you started.

I am a Weather Person!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Scientists keep track of the weather - that makes you a scientist! Print a copy of this sheet (or make your own) and record the weather today. Record it for a whole week or more and see what kinds of weather patterns you can see!

Sensory Dough

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

This very versatile dough has a lot of names and can be found in all sorts of stores, but it's easy to make at home. This recipe uses baby oil, since it's a simple easyto-find ingredient, and it has a nice smell. Some less fragrant options include mineral oil, or cooking oils like vegetable or canola. This two-ingredient dough, sometimes called "moon sand," is a quick and cheap way to let kids explore their senses, build fine motor skills, and play!

Put Them in A-B-C Order!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Jane Goodall - Nature Journaling

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Reinforce your child’s observation skills with this hands-on activity, Jane Goodall and Nature Journaling, inspired by the pioneering scientist Jane Goodall. By incorporating natural materials and the powers of observation, your child will become a backyard naturalist while building early literacy concepts.

You can listen to the companion book here:

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

If the video doesn't load right away, click the refresh button.

Here is a link to the directions:

Jane Goodall and Nature Journaling

Go On a Directional Scavenger Hunt

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

This scavenger hunt is like a revamped version of a game you probably remember from childhood: Hot and Cold. Instead of telling the seeker if he's getting “warmer” or “colder” as he narrows in on a hidden object, you’ll use words like up, down, over, and under. Sure it's simple, but it's fun, and it will arm your child with some directional vocabulary he should master in time for kindergarten.

Homemade Letter Bingo

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Bingo is an exciting way for kids to practice recognizing letters, numbers and shapes. Your kids will have a blast shouting Bingo! when they have completed a row on their cards. Use the colorful bingo cards below to organize this fun family game.

Use these Bingo cards to play!

Governor's Summer Reading Challenge

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

It’s that time of year to encourage your students to participate in CONNECTICUT READS, the 2026 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge! Click HERE to be taken to Governor's Summer Reading Challenge page.

COUNT EVERYTHING!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Count steps up and down stairs, the number of windows and chairs-just about everything your child is interested in that you can count. Count how many times you can bounce a ball or skip rope without stopping.

MEASURE EVERYTHING!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Collect empty jars of various sizes and shapes. Set a dishpan or large pot of water outside and let your child explore the jars. Then have her compare how much the jars hold by pouring water from one to another.

It's Written in the Sand!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Movin' to the Numbers!

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Write numbers 1-10 on a card, or use magnetic numbers, or puzzle pieces, Have your child pick a number, identify the number and then jump, clap, etc that number of times. Do this until you have identified all the numbers. Change the actions to whatever you want, Write numbers to 20 and guide your student to identify and count out the actions together.

It's Kinda Like Hopscotch

jlussier — 2023-05-30 16:03:31 UTC

Draw numbers 1-10 with chalk on your driveway. Have your child jump on each number identifying the numbers as they jump.

jlussier — 2025-05-31 16:31:20 UTC

The Charter Oak Children's Book Award has 4 fiction and 4 nonfiction book choices. Check out the website for past nominees and winners and find them at your local library or independent bookstore!

Durham Library Summer Programs

jlussier — 2026-06-10 15:27:29 UTC

Durham Public Library’s Youth Summer Reading page! We have many awesome types of activities this summer. Check out our page for more information. Even includes a bingo board for adults so the whole family can participate!

Levi Coe Library summer programs

jlussier — 2026-06-10 15:28:24 UTC

Levi Coe Library’s Youth Summer Reading event page! We have many awesome types of activities this summer. Visit their Facebook or Instagram page or check out our page for more information.

Summer Learning Hub - Dept. of Ed.

jlussier — 2026-06-10 15:30:01 UTC

Choose your own summer learning challenge courtesy of the Connecticut State Department of Education. Choose from activities such as Tech Ed Bingo Challenge, Social Studies Ambassador, Story of Me Learning challenge and more! Links to the Governor's Reading Challenge and the Commissioner's Math Challenge also located on this page.

Please click HERE to be taken to the Department of Education Summer Learning Hub page. Enjoy your learning!

jlussier — 2026-06-10 15:49:00 UTC

PebbleGo, PebbleGo Next and a variety of Capstone Interactive books are available June 1-August 31 as part of the CT Governor's Summer Reading! Link - then click on the large blue-ish/purpleish PebbleGo graphic on the left.