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Children in Home Care

Children in Home Care
  • Collect rocks and pinecones
  • Plant flowers
  • Sing
  • Walk to the store
  • Go (play) camping
  • Swim
  • Plant a window garden
  • Blow bubbles
  • Use chalk on the sidewalk
  • Pick berries at a pick-your-own garden
  • Pick up litter
  • Rake leaves
  • Watch birds
  • Go to the library; then read outside on a blanket
  • Feed the birds
  • Wash the dog
  • Make a kite
  • Read together on a blanket under a tree
  • Watch ants with a magni­fying glass
  • Plan a nature scavenger hunt
  • Play “I spy”
  • Collect bugs; then identify them with a library book on bugs
  • Name colors you see
  • Listen to noises
  • Wash the car or your bikes
  • Plant a family garden
  • Repot a plant
  • Play hopscotch
  • Build a fort
  • Plan a trip
  • Make a picnic
  • Move to music outside
  • Go fishing
  • Climb a tree
  • Stargaze
  • Paint on an easel
  • Take a field trip (PDF | 114KB)

Children love to read and reading good books helps them get ready for school. Most libraries will loan books for 2 weeks.  You can rotate books in and out plus take the children on a field trip to the library.  Remember car seats and parent’s permission!

Here are some great titles. Consider calling the librarian ahead to see if they can pull the titles you want.

We will post new titles every month.  This month Books on Fear for Preschoolers:

  • The Kissing Hand, by Penn (separation anxiety)
  • There’s an Alligator under my Bed, by Mayer (dark, monsters)
  • Night Light, by Dutro (night fear)
  • I Hear a Noise, by Goode (dark, monsters)
  • Storm, by Nicola-Lisa
  • Hurricane, by Wiesner
  • The Butter Battle Book, by Seuss (war)
  • One April Morning Children Remember, by Lamb (OK City bombing)
  • Why did it happen: Helping Children Cope in a Violent World, by Cohn (crime)
  • The Doctor’s Office, by Saunder-Smith (doctor fears)
  • Going to the Dentist, by Frost or by Civardi and Cartwright (dentist)
  • Swimmy, by Lionni (fear and courage)
  • Sometimes I am Afraid, by Watson & Switzer (worry)
  • When my Worries Get Too Big, by Buron (worry)

Contact

For local information on children and caring for them, contact your local extension office.