Early Head Start Homework

Language & Literacy

Relax My Body

1. Place your baby (wearing only a diaper) on a blanket on the floor.
   
2. While your baby is lying on their back, use slow circular motions to give your baby a gentle massage. Name each body part as you massage, and say goodnight to that body part.
   
3. Roll your baby onto their tummy and continue the massage (be sure to avoid their spine).
   
4. End the massage by tracing a heart over your baby's heart and give them a kiss.

Full Guidance

Creativity

Sounds Around Me

1. Gather some objects that make noise (like: rattle, bell, two blocks to bang together, crinkly paper, musical instrument, etc.).
   
2. Hold an object out of your baby's sight and make a gentle sound with it.
   
3. Describe your baby's reactions to the sound, what the sound is like, and what the sound reminds you of. Show the object to your baby.
   
4. Repeat with the same object a few times, then move on to something new.

Full Guidance

Language & Literacy

Baby Sign Language

1. Think about 2-4 needs your child has on a daily basis.
   
2. Practice teaching your child basic sign language for these needs and emotions by modeling the hand movements while saying the words.
   
3. You can look up "baby sign language" on the Internet, or try these common baby signs:
   
• "More": Bunch your hands so the fingertips on each hand touch each other. Tap your hands together
  
• "All done": Hold both hands up with palms facing forward. Rotate your hands back and forth so your palms face toward you and away.
  
4. Frequently model speaking and signing at the same time when you say these words.

Full Guidance

Social Studies

Who's in the Picture?

1. Share pictures of family members and other important people with me (like: parents, siblings, teachers, caregivers, etc.). They can be printed or on a phone.
   
2. Ask me to say the names of family members as I see them.
   
3. See if I can share what each person's role is (i.e. "sister" or "babysitter")
   
4. (Optional) Make a printed photo book with pictures of my important people. Print out photos and tape them to cardboard, punch holes in the pages, and tie it with string. Share it with me often.

Full Guidance