Early Head Start Homework

Language & Literacy

My First Conversations

1. At quiet times throughout the day (feeding, dressing, playing, or bathing), help me learn how to have a conversation!
   
2. When I make a sound or babble, imitate my sound. Then pause and wait for me to make another sound in the 'conversation.'
   
3. You can also respond to my sounds or babbling with sentences.
   
4. Keep the conversation going- continue a few rounds of taking turns making sounds back-and-forth.

Full Guidance

Approaches to Learning

Where Did It Go?

1. Gather supplies for this game:
   
• a ball, toy car, or pull toy with a string
  
• a barrier for the toy to roll behind, like a cereal box or a roll of paper towels
  
2. While I'm watching you, very slowly roll the toy behind the barrier to the other side.
   
3. Try this two or three times, and see if I'll switch my glance to the correct side before the toy reappears.
   
4. If I'm able to anticipate where a slow-moving object will reappear, try rolling the toy faster behind the barrier. See if I am still able to switch my glance to the other side before the object appears.

Full Guidance

Language & Literacy

Turning Pages

1. Read a board book with me (one with thick cardboard pages). Encourage me to turn one page at a time.
   
2. If I'm having a difficult time turning one page at a time, try modifying a book:
   
• Add sticky note tabs to pages, and show me how to lift the tab to turn the page
  
• Trim the page edges in one of my books to make the pages progressively wider
  
3. Every time we read a book together, encourage me to practice turning the pages.
   
4. Let me explore books and practice turning pages independently. If I'm too rough with the books, show me how to be more gentle.

Full Guidance

Social-Emotional Learning

Making You Smile

1. I'm learning that some things I do can bring attention, smiles, and laughter from others.
   
2. Give me positive reinforcement when I:
   
• Give a person or a toy a kiss
  
• Stack blocks, or drop them in a bin
  
3. Some great ways to give me positive attention:
   
• Smiling and laughing
  
• Hugs and kisses
  
4. If I do something funny, but it's not a behavior you want me to repeat, do your best not to laugh. It can be so tough, but if I see that you think it's funny, I'm likely to do it again (and again).

Full Guidance