The best stories are those that you share together.

• Read a book. Sit together, hold the book, introduce the title and author, and turn the pages.
• Tell a story. Make up a story, talk about your day, or tell a family story.
• Visit the library. You can borrow books, for free, from your local library – or you can read a story there. Many libraries have a free activity called “storyhour” where librarians read stories to young children.  Some storyhours also have songs or crafts.   Ask the librarian about storyhours at your library.

We found a few stories about everyday activities that you can watch together.   Pause the story and look at the pictures.  Ask questions about the stories or pause when a question is asked in the story – that is how little minds learn!    Try questions like:  What is this?  Who is that?  What do you think happens next?  What did we just learn?

Singing songs can help teach new ideas to little minds.  Make up your own songs or try some of these to learn more about everyday activities.  Listen to songs over and over again – and sing along with children.  For faster songs it can help to pause the song and review the words with your little one.   Making up dances and hand motions makes songs even more fun!

Children learn by doing.  Here are activities you can do together to help learn about everyday activities.  Simple steps like stirring, cutting, pasting, gluing, and tracing are important – even if an adult can do them faster, it is more important that children practice these skills.

Playdough is fun to make together! Try using cookie cutters, or other kitchen utensils, on your new playdough to make it even more fun.

Recipe #1: No-Cooking Playdough

You’ll need:

• Large bowl
• Big spoon
• 2 cups of plain flour
• 1 cup of salt
• 1 tbsp of oil
• 1 cup of cold water
• 2 drops of food coloring

1. In a bowl, stir together the flour and salt. (This is a great step for little hands!)
2. Add water, food coloring, and oil. Mix with the big spoon until ingredients are combined.
3. Knead the dough mixture well. If the consistency is too wet, add a little more flour.

Recipe #2: Playdough on the Stove
You’ll need:

• Medium pot that can be used on the stove
• Large wooden spoon
• 1 cup of plain flour
• ½ cup of salt
• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
• 1 cup of water
• 2 teaspoons of food coloring

1. Mix together the flour, salt and cream of tartar into a medium pot.
2. Stir in the water and food coloring.
3. Cook over medium heat and stir (3-5 minutes) until it looks like a very wet, blobby mess. Keep cooking it until it’s not too wet.
4. Remove from the stove and let it cool.
5. Store in an air tight container.

Recipe #3: Edible Peanut Butter Playdough

NOTE: Some children are very allergic to peanuts, peanut butter, and honey. Before you make this recipe with your child, or share it with another child, please talk with their parents about any food allergies they may have.
You’ll need:

• Medium bowl that can go in the microwave
• Large spoon
• 1 cup of smooth/creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• ½ cup of honey

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Mix all the ingredients together. Use a spoon to stir and stir everything together.
3. If the mixture seems too dry, stick it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the peanut butter a bit.
4. Once it’s stirred together, start kneading it between your fingers. It will change texture until it’s a perfect consistency.
5. The best part is that you can eat this playdough at the end!

Platiquen Lo Que Ven Y Lo Que Hacen.

A tub with rice and toys, also known as a “sensory bin,” can help strengthen touch, sight, and hearing senses.  This can help young brains make important connections!

Let’s get moving outside! Round up some chalk, something to toss, and a friend!

This game is perfect for practicing body parts while having a great time. To play you will need at least three players, but the more the merrier!

Try this fun game to practice memorizing addresses and phone numbers.
You’ll Need:

• Markers
• Construction paper, cardboard, or old cereal boxes
• Scissors
• Tape

1. Trace your child’s hand 8 times onto the construction paper or cardboard. (You’ll need 9 if you have an apartment number in your address.)
2. Cut out your tracings.
3. Prepare the materials.
   • Phone number.
     • Choose 3 hands.
     • On the palm of the first hand, write your area code.
     • On the palm of the second hand, write the next 3 digits of your phone number.
     • On the palm of the third hand, write the last 4 digits of your phone number.
     • On a blank piece of paper, or square strip of cardboard, write “My Phone Number.”

• Address:
  • Choose 4 hands (5 if you have an apartment number).
  • On the palm of the first hand, write your house number.
  • On the palm of the second hand, write your street name.
  • On the palm of the third hand, if applicable, write your apartment number.
  • On the palm of the next hand, write your city name.
  • On the palm of the next hand, write your state’s full name.
  • On the palm of the last hand, write your country (e.g. USA)
  • On a blank piece of paper, or square strip of cardboard, write “My Address.”

1. Find two doors in your house that your child must regularly open or a hallway they pass frequently. For example, the inside of the front door, the door to their room, the refrigerator or cupboard, the bathroom door, etc.
2. On the first door, hang the sign that says “My Phone Number” and then – at an easy height to reach – tape the hands for the phone number. Repeat on a different door with the address information.
3. To Play: The child must ‘high five’ each hand every time they go in/out of the room reciting what’s written on each hand. They can practice “reading” the numbers or just memorizing the information.