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Early Learning Resources

Father and small children art activity at home

Your child’s first step to a brighter future

SDQPI provides resources and information so all children in San Diego County can thrive in their early learning settings. Below you will find Early Learning Resources that provide parents and caregivers of children 0-5 with resources, information and activities to ensure all children in San Diego County are prepared for preschool, kindergarten and beyond.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as a reference tool and marker for programmatic planning purposes.

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Teacher and students at a table working
  • resources
13 Tips for Starting Preschool

Is your child entering a preschool program for the first time? Use these tips to help both you and your child make a smooth transition.

  • 3-5
Photo of baby sleeping
  • resources
Baby Sleep Schedule

Sleep is crucial to your newborn's development. Find a sleep scheudle that suits you and promotes proper growth for your child.

  • 0-1
Baby laying down with adult hands holding feet and head
  • resources
Baby’s First 100 Days

The first 100 days of life are a critical time in a baby’s brain development

  • 0-1
Father and daughter on kitchen counter with apples
  • activities
Big/Little, High/Low

Look around the room, then point to an object. Ask the child if it is big or little or high or low. Take turns pointing at new objects.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 1-3
Parents and small baby playing
  • activities
Blow Raspberries

Before dressing baby, press your lips on their tummy and blow air on their skin to make a noise. This encourages baby to make their own noises and lip movements.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 0-1
Father and sons reading book
  • resources
Books for Big Emotions

If you have a toddler, you know the array of big emotions they can express in a day, not to mention in five minutes. Pull these books out at bed time to relax your child and remind them how to handle big emotions, like sadness, anxiety, and bravery.

  • 3-5
Collage of kids book covers
  • resources
Books for Rhyming

The ability to recognize and produce rhyming words is an important foundational skill that will help children as they learn to read.

  • 1-3
Two babies on the floor playing
  • resources
Child Care Options

There are many options for you to think about when it comes to choosing the best child care to meet your needs

  • All Ages
St Columba Catholic School logo
  • meet our providers
Clarissa Carver

Where do you work?

St. Columba Preschool

What can parents do at home to help their children be prepared for early learning and care?

Communication is key! Talking to your children is the best way to prepare them for early learning and care and reading books can help ease some of the anxiety they have about starting school.

What is your favorite activity to do with little ones?

I absolutely love hearing all of the stories they have to tell! Children are amazing story tellers and their excitement makes it even more magical.

Child in garden looking through magnifying glass
  • activities
Color Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of colors and have your child find an object that matches each hue on the list.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 3-5
Parents and small baby playing
  • activities
Copy-Cat Chit-Chat

Encourage baby to make noise by responding as if in conversation. Repeat sounds they make and add new words.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 0-1
Adults hands holding a baby's hand
  • activities
Counting Game

Show your little one how to count by touching each of their fingers and toes as you recite the numbers.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 0-1
  • 1-3
Teacher sitting on couch with children around her
  • resources
El comienzo del kindergarten

Sugerencias que les ayudarán a guiar a sus hijos durante la transición de preescolares a kindergarten.

  • 3-5
Small child mixing colored liquids in glass bottles
  • activities
Fairy Potion

This activity promotes critical thinking skills as your child mixes, experiments, and creates their very
own fairy potions.

  • 3-5
Fresh Fit Fun Cookbook
  • activities
Fast, Fresh and Fun Cooking

From breakfast burritos to banana milkshakes to homemade hummus with crunchy veggie dippers, you’re sure to find a fast, healthy, and kid-friendly recipe in this free cookbook from First 5.

  • 3-5
Child dancing
  • activities
Freeze Dance

Play music and dance with your child, then hit pause in the middle of the song. Encourage your child to freeze in a fun pose or with a funny face. Try different styles and tempos of music.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 3-5
Mother and daughter in garden holding flower
  • activities
Growing Together Garden

Read the book or watch the live reading, and then create your own colorful flower garden – similar to the illustrations in the story – using paper, cardboard and crayons.

  • 3-5
Elephants made of paper and hand outlines
  • activities
Handy Elephant

Create an elephant out of your hand.

  • 3-5
Teachers and young students in classroom
  • resources
How to Choose a Quality Program

Choosing a quality early learning and care environment is critical to your child’s future.

  • All Ages
Parents saying goodbye to kids at school
  • resources
How to prepare my kid for TK/Kindergarten

Starting TK or kindergarten is an exciting milestone for your child. Here are some ways you can help prepare your child for the big day.

  • 3-5
Head Start
  • meet our providers
Likka Mohamad

Where do you work?

AKA-Head Start

What can parents do at home to help their children be prepared for early learning and care?

Parents can start looking for a quality learning center to enroll their child. They can ask about the curriculum taught, the philosophy, the qualifications/credentials of the teachers, inclusive education plan and move.

What is your favorite activity to do with little ones?

A few fun, educating hands-on activities that I enjoy include, I Spy with my Little Eye, Shape Finders, Hatching Eggs in Classroom Incubator, Letter Scavenger Hunt and more
 

Child Development Center Sign
  • meet our providers
Linda Haar and Yi-Cheng Hu

Where do you work?

Child Development Center at MiraCosta College

What can parents do at home to help their children be prepared for early learning and care?

Provide a safe and secure environment with predicable routines and schedule. Engage children in conversations to expand their vocabulary and read to them daily.

What is your favorite activity to do with little ones?

Sensory activities for example cooking with children, and music/movement, early literacy development activities.

Mother and small child sitting on grass
  • resources
Milestones for your Baby

By keeping track of what milestones your 12-month-old baby is working on achieving, you can support their development mentally and physically. 

  • 0-1
Girl jumping
  • activities
Movement Card Game

Using simple materials, children will create a movement card game that the family can play together.

  • 3-5
QPI School Dropoff Readiness Mother giving son a piggy back ride
  • resources
Parent Teacher Relationships

It’s important that parents and teachers work together to support and help students be their best.

  • All Ages
Kids and adult outside talking
  • resources
PBS Ready To Learn

Through the Ready To Learn Initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, CPB and PBS are partners in developing high-quality educational media and resources to advance critical early learning skills for children ages 2-8 to help them succeed in school, work, and life.

Girl holding painted rock
  • activities
Peace Rocks

This activity encourages them to tap into their artistic side while learning strategies to find peace every day.

  • 3-5
Child painting with plant paint
  • activities
Plant Paints

Plant pigments have been used for centuries as paint for clothes and art. Make some plant paint yourself, and see what you can create!

  • 3-5
Small child playing in toy kitchen
  • activities
Play House

Build forts with cardboard boxes, care for dolls or pretend to grocery shop.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 1-3
Child outdoors with falling leaves
  • activities
Playground Scavenger Hunt

Get the kids outside for some fun with this playful playground scavenger hunt!

Father and daughter smiling
  • resources
Power of Relationships

Relationships are a powerful part of your child’s development, including brain, physical, and social-emotional growth

  • All Ages
Child with paint on face and hands
  • meet our providers
Preeti Sadhu

Where do you work?

ABC Learning Center

What can parents do at home to help their children be prepared for early learning and care?

Parents should invest time with their child to interact with them and listen to them daily. Parents should also be involved in their children's childcare activities - ask them about their day, what they learned, who they played with. Parents are the first teacher for the child, so they will be the one who can prepare kids to get ready for early learning.

What is your favorite activity to do with little ones?

Story telling is my favorite activity with little ones. Stories make their brain think and imagine. It helps in their development and growth. When you tell a story to little kids they create a picture in their brain and make memories and learn from it.

Mother saying goodbye to anxious baby in caregivers arms
  • resources
Preparing for the Transition

Once you’ve decided on the best child-care option, preparing to say goodbye to your child can be emotional.

  • All Ages
QPI Kids playing on playstructure
  • resources
Putting your Little One in Child Care

Child care is often a choice parents choose for their children. It's important to find the right one for you and your child.

  • All Ages
Parents in a classroom
  • resources
Questions to Ask

When choosing a child-care provider, asking some important questions and getting the information you need will help you make the best decision for your child.

  • All Ages
Small child playing with balls on floor
  • activities
Roll and Go

For children who are crawling, show them a soft ball or interesting toy. Roll it or place it a few feet away and encourage your baby to get it.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 0-1
QPI School Dropoff Readiness
  • resources
School Drop-Off Strategies

Saying goodbye can sometimes be emotional for both of you, so here are some ways to help you and your child with school drop-off.

  • 3-5
Father and child playing with wooden shapes
  • activities
Sensory Game

Create a sensory basket, or sensory station to give your child the opportunity to explore new objects in a safe and creative way. Fill with rice, blocks, pasta, fabric, water, or anything your child can grab and feel.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 0-1
Child cutting paper with scissors
  • activities
Shape Jumper

Use scissors to cut out different shapes from construction paper. Tell the child to "jump on the circle" and "hop on a blue shape."

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 3-5
Heart-shaped bowl of fruit
  • resources
Snack Time

Make sure your preschooler has all the snacks they need to strive, or find something new to expand their pallete!

  • All Ages
Father and infant son
  • activities
So Big!

Hold your baby on your lap. Ask: How big is (child’s name)? Then lift his arms up into the air and say: Sooooo big! Babies love this game and will eventually learn to lift their arms in response to your question.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

Mother and son playing with colorful blocks
  • activities
Sort Toys by Color

Grab all your toys and sort them by color.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 1-3
Mother and children reading a book
  • activities
Tell Me a Story

Reverse storytime with your child. Instead of you telling them a story or reading a book, ask them to tell you a story. It could be a made up story or a story about their day.

These activities have been created through adaptation of a variety of sources and resources, in conjunction with field experiences and are solely to be used as informal preacademic and developmental activities for children 0-5.

  • 3-5
Illustration of a human brain over purple background
  • activities
The Exploratorium

Keep kids inspired, connected, and supported with science resources and activities that leverage everyday experiences and real-world phenomena.

Smiling Kids in Park
  • resources
What is play? Why is it important?

There is more to playing than fun and games. Play is actually a powerful, brain-building activity that supports all areas of your child’s development, including language, math, motor, and social skills.

  • All Ages
Teacher with young students reading book
  • resources
What is TK & Kindergarten?

Find out more about the difference between TK and K and what to expect for your child.

  • 3-5
Child care center room with small table, chairs and activities
  • resources
What to Look for in a Child Care

You’ve narrowed down a few child-care options you want to consider. What do you do next?

  • All Ages