Early Head Start Homework

Language & Literacy

Baba Dada Babbles

1. Throughout the day, emphasize double consonant words in your natural conversations. Examples of double consonant words:
   
• Mama
  
• Dada
  
2. If I'm making a longer babble like "bababababa," repeat the shorter two-syllable word like "baba" and see if I'll copy you.
   
3. Play a fun repeating game. Say a double consonant word into an empty paper towel roll or empty plastic container. This will make it sound funny! See if I'll repeat the word into the roll or container.

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Science

Smell Party!

1. Gather things with strong scents for me to smell. Examples:
   
• spices (nothing peppery or too spicy)
  
• condiments like mustard or peanut butter (put on a small spoon)
  
2. Show me how you smell things. Hold one item up to your nose and make an exaggerated "sniffing" action.
   
3. Hold the same thing up to my nose and see if I react to the smell. Describe the smell for me.
   
4. Repeat with different smells until I show you that I’m done.

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Language & Literacy

Food Letter Play

1. Purchase edible alphabet letters from your local grocery store. For example: alphabet cereal, crackers, cookies, or pasta (cook the alphabet pasta first). (Note: if you can't find alphabet snacks, you can also use pretzel sticks or other foods to "write" letters on the table)
   
2. Spread out the edible letters on a plate or tray.
   
3. Point to a letter and ask your child if they know what letter it is. Say the name of the letter, the sound the letter makes, and a word that starts with that letter. Encourage your child to repeat after you.
   
4. Eat the letters when they get the letters, sounds, and words right!

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Physical

Throwing a Ball

1. Find a "ball" that I can hold in one hand (like a tennis ball, rolled up socks, rolled up paper, or bean bag).
   
2. Set up a close "target" that I can aim towards. I might not be able to throw accurately or very far, but having something to aim for helps me know what to do. Example targets:
   
• a tower of empty cardboard boxes
  
• a box, bin, or towel on the floor
  
3. Model how to throw the ball toward the target.
   
4. Help me hold the ball underhand or overhand, and encourage me to throw.
   
• Many children learn how to throw underhand (like a bean bag toss) first, and overhand (like playing baseball) later.
  
• To help me throw the ball underhand, hold the top of the ball when you offer it to me. Model the underhand throwing motion.
  

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