Organization
The Fun Family Activity cards are designed with some background information including the history and purpose of the cards, overarching research on how children develop, and information on how children learn through play.
There is a “Before You Begin” card which should be written on as families and caregivers play and learn with their child. This card is a fun way to record your child’s experiences and look back upon as they get older.
The cards are organized around the nine broad areas of learning. These include:
The emphasis in this domain is on physical health and motor development as an integral part of children’s overall well-being.
Social and emotional skills, developed in early childhood, are essential for lifelong learning and success.
The development of children’s early language skills is critically important for their future academic success.
Development in the domain of literacy serves as a foundation for reading and writing acquisition.
Young children grow and change in their abilities to pay attention to and think about the world around them.
Mathematics contributes to children’s ability to make sense of the world and to solve problems they encounter in their everyday lives.
Children are scientists from the moment they are born, using their senses to observe and gain knowledge about the world around them.
The area of social studies involves children’s ability to understand how they relate to their family and community.
The arts provide children with a vehicle and organizing framework to express ideas and feelings.
Each of the nine areas of learning has a landing page which includes information about the specific skills and knowledge children learn in this area as well as recommended books for children birth through five. We worked with local librarians to ensure that all books were available at Rhode Island libraries throughout the state. Copies of high quality books in English and Spanish can be found within these sections.
After this landing page are the actual activities. The activities are organized with ideas for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers. Each activities page has a Tips section for things to have prepared, messages about safety and unique things to look out for. There is also a section for Reflections. The cards have been designed so that you can record your reflections related to each activity on the back of each card.
In the back of the cards there are blank copies for families and caregivers to develop their own activities. Lastly, the back includes a Resources for Families section which includes contact information for the state departments offering services and supports for young children.
