Learning is Everywhere! ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR YOUNG CHILD TO HELP PREPARE FOR SCHOOL

Women United 2021 CALENDAR United Way Quad Cities Women United is a dynamic and determined group of women dedicated to children’s readiness in school and life.

852 Middle Road, Suite #401, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 • 563.355.4310 • unitedwayqc.org Children are Born Learning.

Make every day a “learning day” with your child. Parents, YOU are your child’s first, best teacher.

Children begin to learn as soon as they are born and they keep learning every day. Between birth and age five the brain is extremely responsive to experience, and reaches full develop- ment by age 5. That gives parents 5 short years to find teachable moments in everyday life.

Children benefit when their families are involved in their learning and development. You can help your child to be curious, develop interests, build character, get along with others, and love words. You don’t have to be an expert to help your child learn. Having fun is an import- ant part of learning. Your child learns best when he or she is doing fun and interesting things with you!

School readiness is much more than knowing letters and numbers. Children who are VISIT A BORN LEARNING TRAIL kindergarten-ready have good social, self-help, and physical skills and are developing • Buffalo Park a love of learning. 1115 Chestnut St., Buffalo • Camden Park How to use this calendar: Highway 67 & Milan Beltway, Milan This calendar helps prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to learn. It provides: • Fairmount Pines Housing Complex • Daily activities that are learning moments. 4205 N. Fairmount St., Davenport • Educational resources. • Family Museum • 12 opportunities for your child to draw a picture on the top of each month of the calendar. 2900 Learning Campus Dr., Bettendorf

• Marquette Park 3200 N. Marquette St., Davenport • Nahant Marsh 4220 Wapello Ave., Davenport • Skip-A-Long 1609 14th St., Rock Island Connecting People To Plants This coupon allows for a qcgardens.com BUY ONE GET ONE BORN LEARNING FREE ADMISSION ACADEMIES to the Family Museum. A series of six workshops for parents with a Offer is not valid for special events. child who hasn't yet entered kindergarten Expires 12/30/2021. and/or is expecting a child. All academies are limited to 20 families and are available on a first come, first served basis.

Academies include: • Free dinner • Free child care (unless held virtually) • Giveaways for children and parents $ • A tablet for each family that attends five 1 OFF of the six workshops ADMISSION 2525 4th Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 l 309.794.0991 Sign up at unitedwayqc.org/bornlearning EXPIRES 12.31.21, OFFER NOT VALID FOR SPECIAL EVENTS. CAROUSEL ride! Use this coupon to receive one FREE carousel ticket with paid general admission!

Offer is not valid for special events. Expires 10/01/2021. Plan your visit at NiabiZoo.com!

(309) 799-3482 | 13010 Niabi Zoo Rd. | Coal Valley, IL 61240 DRAW A SNOWMAN 10 THINGS YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE KINDERGARTEN

Is your child ready for kindergarten? Quad Cities kindergarten teachers put together this list to help you.

1. Does your child have patience? 2. Does your child share with others? 3. Can your child explain thoughts/opinions? 4. Can your child get dressed or use a bathroom without help? 5. Does your child do well in new situations? 6. Does your child take part in group activities? 7. Can your child hold a pencil and use scissors? 8. Can your child figure out ways to solve problems? 9. Does your child explore the world and ask questions? 10. Does your child like to listen to stories?

Go to unitedwayqc.org/ksi to read more on how to help your child get ready for kindergarten. JANUARY 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 1 1 1 2 New Year’s Day New Year’s Day New Year’s Day New Year’s Day Eat dinner as a family. Happy New Year! Talk Talk about how you feel. Kwanzaa Ends Kwanzaa Ends Have your child help about what year it is. Are you feeling happy or Talk about what the new Talk about what the new with the preparation. sad? Why? month and year is. month and year is. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sort laundry with your Practice rhyming. Cut out paper Look for things that are Do a jigsaw puzzle. Count to 10 on your Play sock puppets. child. What socks go snowflakes. blue. fingers and toes. together?

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Build a fort out of Bounce or roll a ball Practice tracing letters. Talk about the letter “D” Have a snack with one Read a book about snow. Tell your child the story blankets. inside. Write your child’s name and name objects that fruit and one vegetable. of the day they were & have them trace it start with the “D” born. with their finger. sound. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Play with water. Use Martin Luther King Jr. Day Look for items that are Talk about the weather. Go get the mail. Talk Teach your child how to Stack blocks and knock cups and spoons. Talk about peace and shaped like a square. Is it cold? Snowy? about who delivers it. spell his or her name them down. caring for people. and practice reciting it.

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Look in the mirror and Lay down, close your Learn how to do a Practice zipping your Talk about your favorite Make cookies. Name the Sing “Old McDonald.” make silly faces. eyes, and talk about somersault. coat. color. ingredients while you do. what you hear. 31 Sing a song. DRAW A HEART START SMART QUAD CITIES Sign up for texts on things to do today to help your child under 5 years succeed tomorrow. You’ll receive 4 text messages per week with educational and fun things to do with your child.

Text BORNLEARNING to 95577 FEBRUARY 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cuddle and talk about Get out pots and pans Groundhog Day Sing the ABC song. Cut out magazine Play a game together as Together, read a book your day. and use them as drums. Use a flashlight and pictures & glue them to a family. and talk about what you find shadows on the paper. see in the pictures. wall. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Imitate a lion, elephant, Use toilet paper rolls as Talk about the letter “C” Countdown! Count Using scissors, cut Put 3 items out and then Put on music and dance or other zoo animal. binoculars. and name objects that backwards from 10. paper into shapes. remove one. Which one fast, slow, happy, and start with the “C” sound. is missing? silly.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Valentine’s Day Presidents’ Day Help your child write While at a stoplight, Pretend you are robots. Make dinner together. Find objects shaped like Look for things that are Talk about who our his/her name with a make up a story about Let your child set the a circle. red today. president is and what pencil, naming each someone you see. Where menu. his job is. letter. is he/she going? 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Check your school Read two books at Celebrate something Make & eat a healthy Sing “The Wheels on the Talk about ways to make Practice your phone district website for bedtime tonight. your child has recently snack together. Bus.” new friends. number. updates on kindergarten accomplished. information for fall. 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 Invent a new song. Sing Make & eat a healthy Sing “The Wheels on the Talk about ways to make Practice your phone Invent a new song. Sing Dig out kitchen tongs about the weather or snack together. Bus.” new friends. number. about the weather or and have fun picking how you’re feeling today. how you’re feeling today. things up with them. DRAW SOMETHING GREEN MARCH IS NATIONAL READING MONTH

Reading to your child every day opens a whole new world of imagination and excitement. It’s one of the easiest ways to prepare your child for school.

Benefits of Reading With Young Children By reading aloud from birth or even before, you are building a solid foundation, book by book, that will help your child succeed in school and in life. Just as important, you will foster a love of reading for pure enjoyment. Books bring us experiences from people, places, and times that we could never have directly. They help us see things differently, learn important information, and expand our knowledge.

Source: http://www.readingbrightstart.org/ articles-for-parents/reading-children-important/ MARCH 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 2 3 41 5 6 March is National March is National Exercise together. Play with water. Use PracticeSchedule good a play hand date. Create a morning Make a smiley face using Reading Month! Read a Reading Month! Read a cups and spoons. washing. routine. Get dressed, eat fruits and vegetables. book or two every day book or two every day breakfast, brush teeth, Eat your healthy snack. this month. this month. etc. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Play hide and seek. Talk about your favorite Play a rhyming game Sculpt with play dough. Sing, “Head, Shoulders, Do a simple puzzle. Pretend you are a cat. color. What items can with your child. Knees & Toes.” you see of that color?

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Daylight Savings Begins Use plastic cups to build Make your own number St. Patrick’s Day Recite nursery rhymes Buy something with First Day of Spring Have an indoor picnic. a tower. Knock it down! cards. Look for the color green together. cash and talk about the Talk about the new today. change you receive. season starting today.

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Play “Red Light, Green Read a story. Ask your Time how long you can Draw a picture using a Look at the cover of a Find things that start Act like a monkey. Light” and “Mother, May child what his or her balance on one foot. pencil or crayon. book before you read it. with the letter “F.” Passover begins I?” These games help favorite part was and What do you think the teach patience. why? book is about? 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 Talk about ways you can Practice zipping and Cut a healthy food into Think of words that start Dance together. Sort items. Clean forks Library Day! help a neighbor. buttoning. fun shapes with cookie with the first letter in and spoons, clean socks. Read an extra bedtime cutters. your child’s name. story tonight. DRAW A RAINY DAY PRESCHOOL MATTERS Did you know 18 percent of Quad Cities children are not ready for kindergarten?

Why Preschool Matters • Get exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes • Learn how to socialize, share, and get along with other children • Enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and strong basic math skills

Choosing the Right Preschool • Preschools serve 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, and many kids begin at age 4 • Choose from part-time or full-time • Start investigating options about a year before you want your child to attend. Programs fill quickly • Programs are available at private schools, daycare centers, synagogues and churches, and state-funded schools APRIL 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 2 LOOKING FOR QUALITY1 1 2 3 Easter April Fool’s Day Use CHILD scissors toCARE cut out aOR April PRESCHOOL? Fool’s Day April Fool’s Day Put on music. Grab an Passover ends Talk about what day and Tell a silly joke. coupon or a strip of Tell a good joke today. Tell a good joke today. empty box to use as a Look for items that are month it is. paper. Child Care Resource & Referral offices: drum and slap it to the shaped like a rectangle. Iowa Quad Cities 877.216.8481 beat. Illinois Quad Cities 309.205.3070 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Easter Sort coins by color and Pretend you are a fish Look through books and Sing “The Itsy Bitsy Good Friday Look for things that are Look for Easter eggs size. swimming in a pond. magazines to find things Spider.” Line up 3-4 similar orange. today. Count them as that are yellow. objects, smallest to you find them. Say what largest. color they are. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Have your child help turn Ramadan begins Have your child practice Dance. Turn on your Have a tea party. Have your child help Talk about the pages as you read a Help your child write saying mom and dad’s favorite radio station with chores. transportation. Point book. his/her name. first and last name. and boogie! out different vehicles while you’re out and about. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Make mood faces. Use a Use words that show Go on a scavenger hunt Mix 2 or 3 shapes of Earth Day Play board or card Invent a new song. mirror to make happy, order such as: to find toys. uncooked pasta and Talk about recycling & games. Sing about how you’re sad, angry, afraid, and “first”/“second,” separate the pieces by how it makes the Earth feeling today. surprised faces. “next”/“last.” shape. happy. 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 Where is your nose? Get out cardboard boxes Have a tickling battle. Count down from Imitate sounds. Honk Practice skipping. Read a simple poem. Eyes? Ears? Tummy? and create! Use your 10 to 1. like a car, bark like a imagination. dog, or chirp like a cricket. DRAW FLOWERS 24/7 ACCESS TO ANSWERS PARENTS NEED

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Need help finding community programs but aren’t sure where to turn?

Call 2-1-1 to get connected to the services you need right here in the Quad Cities. This free, confidential information and referral help line connects you to local health and human services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MAY 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 May Day May Day Jump up and down 10 May Day Schedule a play date. May Day May Day Make a May Day basket Make May Day baskets times, counting as you Make a May Day basket Schedule a play date. Use toilet paper rolls as and deliver to a friend. and deliver them to do. and deliver it to a friend. binoculars. friends. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Create a bedtime routine. Read a simple poem. Play “I-Spy.” Run in place, across the Give a small treat to the Count to 10 on your After playing, have your Take a bath, put on room, and in a circle. child who can sit still fingers and toes. child help clean up. pajamas, brush teeth, the longest. read a book, go to sleep. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Mother’s Day Ramadan Ends Play dress up. Use Put 3 items out and then Describe what you’re Use measuring cups. Go to the library & Cuddle & spend quality Practice tracing letters. shirts, shoes, hats, remove one. Which one is doing, how the weather Talk about which one is check out 2 books. time together today. scarves and jewelry. missing? feels, and the way your the biggest and the food tastes. smallest. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Imitate a lion, elephant, Learn how to do a Eat a healthy snack. Draw a rainbow. Name Run errands. Where are Put away your phones Stack blocks and knock or other zoo animal. somersault. each color. you going and why? and turn off the TV today. them down. Build a fort, play a board game. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Pick a learning app and Memorial Day Dig out kitchen tongs Put on music and dance Look for things that are Using scissors, shred Do a jigsaw puzzle. Count play it together. Draw a picture. and have fun picking up fast, slow, happy, and yellow. paper. the pieces. things with them. silly. 30 31 Help sort laundry. Play sock puppets. DRAW YOUR FAVORITE VISIT A TRAIL THING TO DO OUTSIDE FOR OUTDOOR FUN & LEARNING

Born Learning Trails are fun, physical learning activities designed for parents or caregivers to play with young children. These include fun games or activities such as counting, hopscotch, identifying shapes and colors, and much more. Born Learning Trails • Buffalo Park 1115 Chestnut St., Buffalo • Camden Park Highway 67 & Milan Beltway, Milan • Fairmount Pines Housing Complex 4205 N. Fairmount St., Davenport • Family Museum 2900 Learning Campus Dr., Bettendorf

• Marquette Park 3200 N. Marquette St., Davenport • Nahant Marsh 4220 Wapello Ave., Davenport • Skip-A-Long 1609 14th St., Rock Island JUNE 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 1 2 31 4 5 Cuddle and talk about Go on a bug hunt. Go on a bug hunt. Read Mother Goose DoSchedule jumping a playjacks date. Play pretend. “Today, I Draw a picture of your your day. How many different How many different rhymes. Complete the together. am a tiger. What are family with your child. kinds can you find? kinds can you find? rhymes. Hickory Dickory you?” Dock… 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Look outside and talk Read an extra bedtime Divide a healthy snack Look for the color blue. Talk about caring for Listen for words Find objects shaped like about what you see. story tonight. evenly and share. books and toys. beginning with the a square. same sound.

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Take silly selfies Flag Day Read a book. Talk about Help your child practice Find things that start When you drive or walk Talk about the new together. Talk about the American what you see in the good hand washing. with the letter U. places, describe all the season starting flag. What does it look pictures. turns you make, “Now I tomorrow. like? What colors are on am turning right.” it? 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 First Day of Summer Create a to-do list of 3 Practice coughing and Help your child start Turn the TV off. Read Get texts to help your Teach your child how to Father’s Day household jobs. Read sneezing into the inside practicing shoe tying. books, build a fort, play child succeed. Text set the table for dinner. Do something nice for the list and cross off of your elbow. outside. BORNLEARNING to dad or a special man in items as completed. 95577. your life today. 27 28 29 30 27 28 29 Talk about or sing the Listen to familiar sounds Find objects that rhyme Read a simple poem. Make patterns with Fruit Play “I-Spy.” Try playing Talk about ways you can days of the week. and identify what they with “tan.” Loops or M&M’s. Red- in the grocery store next help a neighbor. are. yellow-green-red- time you go. yellow-green. DRAW FIREWORKS REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR KINDERGARTEN Register if your child is 5 years • by September 1 if you live in Illinois • by September 15 if you live in Iowa

Check your local school district for kindergarten registration information. JULY 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 2 1 1 2 3 Make up silly words that Play outside. Draw a Tap your feet to the beat Play hide and seek. Play hide and seek. Download a new While unloading rhyme with your child’s hopscotch with sidewalk of a song on the radio. educational app on groceries, talk about the name. chalk to hop in. your tablet or phone. fruits and vegetables you bought. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Independence Day Play a game that Talk about what color Act like an animal. Talk about one nice Use carrot sticks of Look at a magazine. Look for things that are involves taking turns. your hair is. Is it long or Pretend you are a dog. thing you each did different lengths. Which Look for people or red, white & blue today. short? today. is longest and shortest? animals. Then eat them. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Use “school” tools such Tap your feet to the Play “Simon Says.” Go outside. Kick a ball Play “I Spy” or “Hot and Look at the pictures Practice counting as pencils, markers, beat of the song on back and forth. Cold.” while reading the book. 1 to 10. and scissors. the radio.

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Tell stories such as Sing the ABC song. Go on a play date. Tell your child what Trace your child’s foot or Look for things that are Pretend you are a fish “Goldilocks and the month, day, and year he hand on a piece of purple. swimming in a pond. Three Bears” or “The or she was born. paper. Three Little Pigs.” 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Find the number “2” on Talk about ways you Make a shopping list Help with chores around During the day, have Exercise. Hop and do Paint a picture by different things. can help a neighbor. together. the house. your child tell you when arm circles, counting dipping Q-tips into it is morning, afternoon, them as you go. paint. and night. DRAW YOUR FAVORITE FOOD CREATE A ROUTINE WITH YOUR CHILD

1) Improves Cooperation • Routines help your child to mentally prepare for the day.

2) Eliminates Child Anxiety • Routines create a safe environment for learning and success.

3) Develops Self-Discipline & Responsibility • Routines help your child learn excellent habits of responsibility.

4) Builds Confidence and Independence • Routines allow your child to gain confidence and achieve success.

5) Makes a Happier Child • Routines give your child a sense of security, allowing him/her to predict things and feel in control. AUGUST 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Use a song to help teach Play “I-Spy” in the Show your child a nickel, Try a new fruit or While crossing the Look for things that are Turn on some music and your address. The “Do grocery store. a penny, and a quarter. vegetable. Talk about street, be sure your silver or gold. dance. You Know the Muffin Talk about money. what it smells, feels, child knows to look both Man?” tune works great. looks, and tastes like. ways for cars. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Figure out when your Create a pattern of Read your child his or Look around for the Find things shaped like Build a tower out of Sing your child’s favorite child likes to talk most. movement & ask him/her her favorite book today. number 5 around your a triangle. recycled items – toilet song. This is a great time to to repeat it. home. Practice counting paper rolls, water start a conversation. Step-step-jump, to 5. bottles, etc. step-step-jump… 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Spell your child’s name. Make up silly words that Hide an object. Have Help your child practice Take a “rainbow" walk. Make a parade with Practice opposites: Have him/her write it if rhyme with your child’s your child look for it by zipping and buttoning. Find all the colors of the stuffed animals. Count “up”/“down,” “in”/“out,” they can or help them name. giving them clues. rainbow. how many animals are “over”/“under.” write it. in the parade. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Talk about “everyday Play a game such as Practice taking turns or Empty your pockets and, Look for things that are Use a play phone to Run, jump, climb, dance, heroes” and what their “Memory" or “Go Fish.” sharing. as you do, talk about yellow. practice different ways and move to music! jobs are: firefighter, each item. to say hello or goodbye. police, etc. 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 Read an extra bedtime Run in place. Visit a nearby park. Look for things that are Use a play phone to Run, jump, climb, dance, Read an extra bedtime story tonight. yellow. practice different ways and move to music! story tonight. to say hello or goodbye. DRAW YOURSELF IS YOUR CHILD ON TRACK? Here are some abilities your child should be able to do by these ages:

Age 1 • Plays games like peek-a-boo & pat-a-cake • Tries to say words you say • Bangs two things together Age 2 • Says sentences with 2 to 4 words • Begins to sort shapes and colors • Begins to run Age 3 • Shows a wide range of emotions • Names most familiar things • Works toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts Age 4 • Prefers to play with others than by him/herself • Tells stories • Uses scissors Age 5 • Is demanding at times and very cooperative at times • Speaks very clearly • Counts 10 or more things For a complete listing, visit cdc.gov SEPTEMBER 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 1 1 2 3 4 Take turns playing Labor Day Run across the room Run across the room Go outside. Find rocks of Read a new book you've Sing “Twinkle Twinkle “Simon Says.” Teach your child good or in a circle. or in a circle. different colors and never read before. Little Star.” manners using “please” shapes. and “thank you.” 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Make a card for a friend. Rosh Hashanah Begins Have a tea party. Make a balance beam Talk about feelings. Are Find a Born Learning Talk to your child about Deliver the special card! Labor Day with a piece of tape on you happy or sad? Why Academy near you at what happened on Sept. Play in a cardboard box. the floor and teach your you are feeling that way? unitedwayqc.org/ 11, 2001. child how to walk it. bornlearning 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Grandparents Day Use a flashlight and find Make a mystery bag. Yom Kippur Go to pbskids.org for Pick a craft and make Look for objects shaped Do something nice for shadows on the wall. Put small items inside, Plan a healthy meal and fun, free educational something together. like a triangle. your grandparents today. then have your child eat together as a family. games for your child. reach in and guess each item. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Sing the ABC song. Count out loud while Visit a post office. Talk First Day of Fall Name four things that Look for things that are Play a game in the car, reading, cooking, and about how mail is Take a walk and look to rhyme with “cat.” orange. “I’m going on a picnic shopping. delivered. see if the leaves are and I'm going to changing colors. bring…” 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 Go to vroom.org to get Have a scavenger hunt Practice how to hold Go outside and kick a When you’re on the go, Run, jump, climb, Read an extra bedtime more daily tips & and look for shapes safety scissors, how to ball together. point out letters on dance, and move to story tonight. activities to do with your around the house. open and close them, signs. music! 30child. and how to cut paper. Play with stickers. DRAW A PUMPKIN MAKE MEALTIME FAMILY TIME Family meals allow you to focus on eating, and give you a chance to model positive behaviors.

Focus on the meal and each other • Turn off the television. • Put away your phone. • Encourage your child to try new foods.

Have a conversation. Ask questions like: • What made you laugh today? • What’s your favorite veggie? Why? • Tell me one thing you learned today.

Have your child help set the table, prepare simple foods, and wash dishes. OCTOBER 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 Sing “If You’re Happy Cut pictures of Ask your child for his or Play a rhyming game Make an obstacle Make an obstacle Talk about what day and and You Know It.” expressive faces from her opinions about with your child. course. Talk about “over,” course. Talk about month it is. magazines and make a different things—pets, “under,” and “around.” “over,” “under,” and feelings collage. trees, or the backyard. “around.” 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Fire Prevention Week Practice fire safety: stop, Talk about firemen and Gather sheet, blankets, Does your child know Open the fridge and Name body parts. Talk about your family’s drop, & roll. how they help people. chairs and make your your phone number? name fruits, vegetables, Where’s your nose? Your escape plan in case of a own tent and watch a Teach him/her. and condiments. eyes? fire. movie from inside the tent. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Practice buttons, snaps, Columbus Day Have your child twist Play airplane or train Do jumping jacks Make the bed together. Ask questions about the and zippers. Talk to your children two pipe cleaners with your kitchen chairs. together. 5 senses. “What body about Native Americans. together in a knot & parts do we use to smell? work to untangle them. Taste? Hear?” 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Take silly selfies Cuddle up and read 2 Line up 3-4 similar Have your child trace his Look outside and talk Look for things that are Move like animals: run together. books. objects, smallest to or her hand or foot. about what you see. blue. like a cat, slither like a largest. snake. Add in animal sounds. 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Look for the letter “B.” Turn playtime into music Play “I-Spy” with Stack blocks or Legos. Talk about inside and Count your fingers and Play “Peek-a-Boo” with time. Play a favorite numbers. Count them. What colors outside voices and how your toes. scarves. 31 song and dance. are they? to use them. Halloween Dress up in costume! DRAW A TURKEY BE HEALTHY AND ACTIVE!

Using QCTrails.org is EASY! • Visit the website: qctrails.org • Search & discover local trails to explore • Go for a hike, bike, trail run, or paddle • Create a FREE QC Trails account to plan/save your next adventure

www.QCTrails.org

Why should kids especially move more*? • Strengthens bones • Reduces stress • Increases self-esteem • Helps with weight management

*Source: CDC NOVEMBER 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 Daylight Savings Ends Put your phone down. Election Day Pretend you are a turkey Find things that are What is the weather like Have your child practice Put your phone down. Spend some time Cast your own vote at and say “gobble purple. today? Is it warm or zipping his or her coat. Spend some time playing playing a game or fun home. Do you like pizza gobble.” cold? Cloudy or sunny? a game or fun activity activity today. or spaghetti better? today. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Daylight Savings Ends Look at a pattern and Fill a table with books While at a stoplight, talk Veterans Day When your child asks a Help with chores. Count to 10. How old are copy it. and read! about the red, green and Thank a veteran for question you don’t know you? Hold up that many yellow lights. his/her service. the answer to, look up fingers. the answer together. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Imitate sounds. Meow Find things that start Do a simple jigsaw Read a book. Talk about Let your child help make Buy something with Make a face, and have like a cat, tweet like a with the letter “L.” puzzle. how people read left to choices. Would you like cash and talk about the your child guess the bird, or vroom like a car. right. Point to each word to wear a green or a change you receive. emotion you’re showing. as you read them. blue shirt today? Take turns! 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Look at coins and bills. Use old socks, scraps of Practice saying “please” Trace your hands to Thanksgiving Sculpt with play dough. Sing a song. Ask your child: “Did you cloth, buttons, and and “thank you.” draw turkeys. Talk about what you are know there are U.S. markers to make hand thankful for. leaders on each?” puppets. 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 Hanukkah Begins Talk about your favorite Call a favorite loved one. Draw a picture using a Thanksgiving Practice good hand Put your phone down. Hop like bunnies. color. What items can pencil or crayon. With your family, go washing. Spend some time playing you see of that color? around and share one a game or fun activity. thing you are thankful for. DRAW YOUR PARENT RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR CHILD

FAVORITE HOLIDAY Are you looking for quality child care? Free referrals are available to local child care programs and information about choosing quality child care.

Iowa: 855.244.5301 or iowaccrr.org Illinois: 866.370.4556 or childcareillinois.org

Have concerns about your child and think they may be behind? Free screenings will identify early developmental concerns, what to expect, and activities to encourage your child’s further development. Screenings are for children ages four months to five years old.

Iowa: Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency 563.344.6271 or mbaea.org

Illinois: Rock Island Regional Office of Education 309.736.1111 or riroe.com DECEMBER 2021 Women United SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 Xy xxyx xy xxyx yxy xy xyxy Xy xxyx xy xxyx yxy xy xyxy Draw a winter picture. Draw a winter picture. Make a snowman out Give your child two-step Decorate for an xxyxyx xy xxyxyx xy of cotton balls or directions. “Take off upcoming holiday! marshmallows. your coat and put it in the closet.” 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Point to an object and Hanukkah Ends Halfway through reading Talk about a good Read a holiday book at Count the stairs as you Bundle up and play let your child guess what Sing a favorite holiday a book, ask your child memory you've had this bedtime. go up or down them. outside. letter it begins with. song together. what he or she thinks is year. going to happen next. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Help your child practice Teach your child his or Pretend to be a statue. Go on a scavenger hunt Jump 10 times. Walk like a penguin. Pretend you are a shoe tying. her birth date and age. How long can you stand to find toys. What other animals are snowman and melt. still? black & white?

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Count to 20. Cut out paper First Day of Winter Sort items such as clean Measure rice with a Read a favorite winter Christmas snowflakes. Make hot cocoa. Don’t forks and spoons or measuring cup or spoon. book. Spend time with family forget to count the clean socks. today. marshmallows. 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 Kwanzaa Begins Look for things that are Have a snack with one Build a fort out of Sing “Old McDonald.” New Year’s Eve Xy xyx xyx xyx yx Wiggle different body red. fruit and one vegetable. blankets. Practice counting down parts to music. from 10 to 1.