University of California Cooperative Extension

An Early Literacy and School Readiness Newsletter for Professionals

November/December Problem Solving...Beginning Math 2010 and Science Skills Volume 9, Issue 6

In simple terms, a day to make sense of problem solver is their world. Many of someone who these problem solving Inside this issue: questions, skills are the What Infants and 2 investigates, and beginnings for math Toddlers Can Do - Early Literacy explores solutions to and science skills. Behaviors Our everyday world problems. A problem Early childhood Bilingual Seasonal 2 is filled with problem solver will stick with a educators can help Songs solving, math, and problem and try children learn math Seasonal Stories to 3 science. Early different strategies to and science concepts Read with Children experiences in find a solution. From by talking about how Homemade Gift for 4 the Holiday counting, matching, birth children begin to you use math in your comparing, and problem solve. In life. Math is more Cooking with Kids 4 grouping help children fact, researchers tell than counting. It is Simple Pumpkin 5 develop an us that the brain reasoning, recognizing Yogurt understanding of their learns best when it is and matching shapes. Physical Activity in 5 world and build a confronted with a It is sequencing, Winter foundation for further problem. When we sorting, comparing, Problem 6 math and science encounter routine and matching. Solving...Beginning Math and Science concept development. situations we repeat Science uses many of Skills (continued) Young children have a stored information the same skills needed Follow us on: natural curiosity and this can prohibit for math. It also about their new learning. So even includes observing, environment and infants start their classifying, exploring, www.twitter.com/ learn best through learning through and predicting. UCReady2Succeed doing, observing, and problem solving Science also involves exploring. There are (learning how to raise questioning and Become Our Fan many everyday things their head, roll over, answering. on Facebook: that parents can do or cry when they encourage problem have a need.) The language of math http://ceplacer.ucdavis. solving and inquiry and science includes edu/Custom _ Program833/Be skills in their children. Preschoolers use words such as: more/ come_Our_Fan_on _ Facebook.htm problem solving every (Continued on page 6) What Infants and Toddlers Can Do - Early Literacy Behaviors

Early literacy recognizes that old, and the page turning of a favorite picture. Behaviors language, reading, and writing five year old. We can see that that show recognition of evolve from a number of earlier the first three years of and a beginning skills. Judith Shickedanz first exploring and playing with understanding of pictures in described categories of early books, singing nursery rhymes, books, such as pointing to literacy behaviors in her book, listening to stories, recognizing pictures of familiar objects. Much More Than ABCs. Her words, and scribbling are truly categories can be used to the building blocks for language Picture and Story understand the book behaviors and literacy development. Comprehension of very young children. They Behaviors that show a help us to see the meaning of child's understanding of these book behaviors and see pictures and events in a the progression children make book, such as imitating an along the path to literacy. action seen in a picture or talking about the events in a Early literacy skills are essential story. to literacy development and should be the focus of early Early Literacy Behaviors: Story-Reading Behaviors language and literacy programs. Behaviors that include By focusing on the importance Book Handling Behaviors children's verbal of the first years of life, we give Behaviors related to a interactions with books and new meaning to the child's physical manipulation their increasing interactions young children or handling of books, such understanding of print in have with books and stories. as page turning and chewing. books, such as babbling in Looking at early literacy imitation of reading or development as a dynamic Looking and Recognizing running fingers along printed developmental process, we can Behaviors related to how words. see the connection and children pay attention to meaning between an infant and interact with pictures in Source: Brain Wonders & Sharing mouthing a book, the book books, such as gazing at Books with Babies. ZERO TO THREE, handling behavior of a two year pictures or laughing at a www.zerotothree.org Bilingual Seasonal Songs

The Pumpkin Let's All Trim the Tree Sung to: Frere Jacques Sung to: I've Been Working on the Railroad

Calabaza, calabaza, (kah-la-BAH-sa) Adornemos el arbolito, (ah-dore-NE-moce el ar-bo-LEE-toe) Pumpkin, pumpkin. Let's all trim the tree. Hacemos un pastel, (ahs-EM-ohs oon paust-ELL) Hay que poner las luces, (I kay po-NAIR loss LOO-saice) We'll make a pie, For everyone to see. A pumpkin pie. El pinito bonito, (el pee-NEE-toe bo-NEE-toe) A pumpkin pie. The pretty pine tree. Adornemos el arbolito, (ah-dore-NE-moce el ar-bo-LEE-toe) Let's all trim the tree.

Page 2 Ready to Succeed Seasonal Stories to Read with Children

VETERAN’S DAY THANSKGIVING THE HOLIDAYS

Featured Title: Featured Title: Featured Title:

Veteran’s Day The Story of Thanksgiving The Gift Jacqueline S. Cotton Nancy J. Skarmeas Aliana Brodmann

Explains the history of Veteran’s Day Recounts the story of the first Set in World War II Germany, a and why it is observed, and suggests Thanksgiving, including the journey young girl tries to decide how to ways of honoring veterans on this of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower and spend her Hanukkah money. She special day, such as flying the flag, the assistance offered to them by wanders past her favorite stores until attending parades, buying poppies, Squanto and the other Indians. the lovely melody of a street musician and visiting hospitals. catches her ear. ______

Pepper's Purple Heart: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Elijah's Angel: A Story for Chanukah A Veteran's Day Story Charles M. Schulz and Christmas Heather French Henry Michael J. Rosen Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit The Wall Norman Bridwell The Gifts of Kwanzaa Eve Bunting Synthia Saint James Gracias el pavo de Thanksgiving War Heroes Joy Cowley An Island Christmas Elaine Landau Lynn Joseph Happy Thanksgiving, Biscuit What is Veteran's Day? Alyssa Satin Capucilli A Christmas for Chabelita Margot Parker Argentina Palacios One Little, Two Little, Veteran's Day Three Little Pilgrims Christmas Soul: African American Lynda Sorensen B.G. Hennessy Holiday Stories Allison Samuels Veteran's Day The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving Mir Tamim Ansary Ann McGovern A Christmas Stocking Story Hilary Knight Veteran's Day: Remembering Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner Happy Hanukkah, Biscuit! Our War Heroes Lillian Toban Elaine Landau Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Veteran's Day Squanto and the First Thanksgiving Ituku's Christmas Journey Mir Tamim Ansary Joyce Kessel Elena Pasquali

Veteran's Day Thanksgiving at Our House A Very Special Kwanzaa Lynda Sorensen Wendy Watson Debi Chocolate

Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks How the Grinch Stole Christmas Margaret Sutherland Dr. Seuss

A Turkey for Thanksgiving La Estrella de Navidad Eve Bunting Marcus Pfister

It's Thanksgiving Merry Christmas Mom and Dad Jack Prelutsky Mercer Mayer

Volume 9, Issue 6 Page 3 Homemade Gift for the Holidays

This holiday season consider a project that is sure to be lots of fun and will help foster children's literacy development. Create a program cookbook with your children to give as gifts to your families. Everyone loves homemade gifts from children ~ and this is sure to be a favorite!

WHAT YOU NEED: themselves. This is a good to decorate their recipe • a variety of writing and way for children to see the book. drawing tools ~ pencils, meaning in the written 5. When they are finished, markers, crayons, etc word and that what they wrap them up to give to the • white 8½”x11” paper have to say is important. Be families in your program. • stickers, ribbon, and any sure their name is on their other decorations of your page. choice 3. Copy the recipes so that there is a set for each WHAT YOU DO: family. Bind the recipes 1. Have each child bring in the together however you recipe for their favorite would like. It is important that children see dish. Ask parents to assist 4. After all the recipes are reading and writing with real life you in this task, but don’t recorded, copied, and situations. The homemade tell them why you need it. bound. it is time to get cookbook is a fun way to combine 2. Next help each child write creative! Give each child a the joy of giving while providing a their recipe on a sheet of set of the recipes and allow means for children to see the paper. If they choose, allow them to use whatever value in reading for information. them to write the recipe materials you have provided Cooking with Kids

When children are included in MOTOR: tearing, dipping, Cooking with children also cooking and food preparation scrubbing, pouring, mixing, provides an excellent activities, they are learning far shaking, spreading, rolling, opportunity to discuss the more than just how to make kneading, juicing, peeling, importance of kitchen safety the finished product. Here are cutting, grating, slicing and food safety. just a few of the activities that MATH: counting, measuring, foster language, math, social, sequencing, recognizing In addition, following the motor, and numbers, classifying directions for a recipe enables science skills in children to see the value of SOCIAL: teamwork, sharing, children: reading in a real-life situation. self-care, taking turns And, if you link the cooking LANGUAGE: SCIENCE: floating, dissolving, activity with a story, it further naming items, time, comparing, hot and cold concepts, extends the literacy following directions, recognizing browning, melting, evaporation, development benefit for the letters or words thickening, sensory awareness children.

Page 4 Ready to Succeed Simple Pumpkin Yogurt

Following simple recipes with children is a great way to foster their literacy development. Children need to see reading in concrete situations and that we read for information as well as for pleasure.

WHAT YOU NEED: WHAT YOU DO: • large mixing bowl 1. Pour canned pumpkin into strainer to remove • strainer excess liquid. • measuring spoons and cups 2. Put the vanilla yogurt in the mixing bowl. • freezable container 3. Add the brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and • 1 large can of mashed pumpkin cloves and mix well. • 1 quart of low-fat vanilla yogurt 4. Pour in the strained canned pumpkin and mix. • ½ cup brown sugar 5. Place the entire mixture in a freezer safe • ½ teaspoon salt container. • 1 tablespoon cinnamon 6. Freeze until the pumpkin yogurt is the • ¼ teaspoon ginger consistency of soft ice cream. • ¼ teaspoon cloves 7. Enjoy with vanilla wafers and a glass of milk.

Makes approximately 16 half cup servings.

Physical Activity in Winter

Preschool age children need to waterproof boots, they can play structures, and snow angels. have at least 60 minutes of outside in winter, unless the • Play games such as Follow physical activity every day. It weather is particularly bad. the Leader and Tag. keeps them healthy and helps • Create a simple obstacle with their overall development. There are many organized course by going around the And we now know that lots of inside activities that can help slide, over the broom physical activity is needed for children be physically active and handle, under the tree, etc. children's healthy brain expend their energy when they Inside: development as well. Using are indoors for longer periods • Play games such as Simon small and large of time due to weather. Says using lots of physical muscles builds movements. coordination, Here are just a few ways to • Dance to music. strength, and keep kids active and busy. I'm • Have a parade with pretend new sure you can think of many instruments and march connections in more… around the room. the brain. Outside: • Act out a story.

• Take walks and talk about • Do jumping and hopping A good child care program will what you see. This is fun for activities. have large indoor and outdoor children of all ages. • Sing action songs. play areas. If children are • If you are in a snow area • Play beanbag toss games. dressed in warm clothing and make snow people, snow • Do simple exercises.

Volume 9, Issue 6 Page 5 PLACER-NEVADA COOP. EXT. OFFICE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 11477 E Avenue (Building 306, DeWitt Center) Auburn, CA 95603

Serving Placer County Since 1917 Ready to Succeed Newsletter for Professionals Phone: 530 889-7350

Fax: 530 889-7397 Web: http://ceplacer.ucdavis.edu Email: [email protected]

Funding for this newsletter provided in part by:

Problem Solving...Beginning Math and Science Skills (continued)

less, big/little, thick/thin, tall/short, long/short, excitement for science and math is early/late/, few/many, small/large, first/last, contagious. Parents can build their math and high/low, wide/narrow, light/ science self-confidence by learning to: heavy/ same/different, group, pair. use math and science with ease, solve You can incorporate these words problems and work with others to in your conversations and do so, demonstrate strong reasoning discussions with young children. ability, see more than one solution to a problem, apply math and science You can also help parents ideas to everyday situations, and use support this development in their technology. children. Parents can help their preschooler now and later in their school years by Adapted from: Junge, S. K. (2002). Off to a Good developing a positive attitude towards math Start: A Kindergarten Readiness Program. University and science. Parent’s enthusiasm and of California Cooperative Extension.

Roger S. Ingram County Director

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