Early Head Start Homework

Language & Literacy

It’s Book Time

1. Choose a book that will gain the interest of your infant (soft books, books with textures, board books, picture books, lift-the-flap books).
   
2. Sit close while you read the book or let your child hold the book; read the title, name the images on its cover, and then read the book if there are words.
   
3. As you read the book, point to images and words while describing what you see.
   
4. Allow your child to touch the book (and stick it in their mouth, if they want to!). Pause when something captures their attention or if they have a verbal response.

Full Guidance

Creativity

Create A Song

1. Think about all of your baby’s wonderful attributes!
   
2. Create a short song of 3-5 lines about your baby, including their name. Don't worry about your ability to sing!
   
3. Sing this special song to your baby every day.
   
4. After repeating the song for a week or two, see if your baby seems to recognize the song.

Full Guidance

Language & Literacy

Opposite Words

1. Throughout the day, help give me examples of two opposite words.
   
2. Some ideas for Up/Down:
   
• Say "Up" with each step we take while walking upstairs, and "Down" with each downstairs step
  
• Lift me up in the air and say "up," then say "down" when you put me down
  
3. Some other opposites you can talk about throughout the day:
   
• Open/Close
  
• Wet/Dry
  
4. As I learn opposites, try asking me to fill in the blank with an opposite word. Like, "The stove is hot, ice is ___."

Full Guidance

Approaches to Learning

Can You Find It?

1. While I'm watching, hide a small toy or piece of food in your fist. Move your fist under a cloth, and leave the item under the cloth. Try to hide the item in a way that I can't see or hear you leaving it under the cloth.
   
2. Place your empty fist next to the cloth. Ask, "Can you find it?"
   
3. I'll probably look in your hand first. When I realize the object isn't there anymore, I should look under the cloth. If not, help me find the object. Cheer when I find it!
   
4. Repeat. Try hiding different objects, hiding objects in something other than your hand (like a small box or empty toilet paper tube), and covering objects with something besides a cloth (a large box, a blanket, in the sand, in a pocket, etc.).

Full Guidance