PA Promise for Children Pairs Activities with Booklist for Children

Mar 23

PA Promise for Children has put together a list of books for children that incorporate the subjects of math, social-emotional development, literacy, and science.

The list includes two books per subject, and PA Promise for Children has recommended activities in which caregivers can participate with children in their care.

Social-Emotional Development

For social-emotional development, caregivers are suggested to role-play in a job. This includes setting up a space for a pretend post office, grocery store, restaurant, or other workplace. Caregivers should encourage children to use items and toys as props at the job.

Books that are paired with the activity include:

Curious George Takes a Job (H.A. Rey)
The Biggest Job of All (Harriet Ziefert)

Mathematical Thinking and Expression

For the math section, caregivers should ask children to search for sets of things found in the home or outside - for example, a rock, two forks, three balls, and so on. Then, they should match photographs of the different items to the actual items to help them develop visual recognition.

Also, caregivers can incorporate sensory development by asking the child to trace numbers or letters with their fingers.

Books that are paired with this activity include:

One Mole Digging a Hole (Julia Donaldson)
1,2,3 Peas (Keith Baker)

Language and Literacy

The activity for this subject involves helping children learn the days of the week. To start, add words to the days that begin with the same letter - such as Musical Monday or Fun Friday. Then, do the same with the months.

Also, caregivers can help children learn the months of the year by creating a calendar that includes special dates - such as holidays or birthdays. Encourage them to draw or color pictures or find pictures online that show which of these days happen each month.

Books that are paired with this activity include:

Today is Monday (Eric Carle)
The Day You Begin (Jacqueline Woodson)

Scientific Thinking

PA Promise for Children suggests an activity in which a child is asked to see how many things they can balance at once. Then, have a balancing race to see who can go the fastest balancing a paper cup on top of a paper plate. Add other items and keep on going.

Books that are paired with this activity include: