You are your little one’s first teacher!
The importance of the family’s role in children’s academic, social, and emotional development is widely accepted by educators. All the ways you support your child’s learning and healthy development are sometimes referred to as “family engagement.”
There are lots of ways you can help your little one learn and grow, even if you work full-time or are always on the go. Your customized learning includes a number of printable activities that you can complete together!
Family Time
As your little one’s first teacher, help develop their academic, social and emotional interests by spending time together. Family time is a great way to boost their curiosity, vocabulary and attitude. Mini adventures around your community will encourage them to discover and discuss their surroundings. These early conversations and findings will prepare them for a classroom learning environment.
529 College Savings Plans
Saving for college does not have to be overwhelming, especially if you start early! A small monthly contribution will add up over time. 529 plans give parents and caretakers the opportunity to save for college when their kids are young. We’ve made the math easy for you. Simply slide the ruler to adjust for monthly contributions and the interest rate you expect and watch how your small investment can grow!
Once you’ve figured that out, click on your state and we’ll bring you to the correct plan.
Social & Emotional
Young children deal with many of the same emotions adults do. Children get angry, sad, frustrated, nervous, happy, or embarrassed, but they often do not have the words to express how they are feeling – an important skill for school. Additionally, research has shown that children who make friends easily in kindergarten tend to be academic self-starters.
Feelings
Encourage your child to describe his or her feelings and emotions. Helping your child use his or her words instead of actions to express emotions is a valuable way for you to find out how your child is feeling and will help him or her interact more easily with other children and familiar adults. Help your child learn to express themselves by telling them how you are feeling. Holding a discussion with your child will help them learn that it is okay to feel certain ways and guide them on how to interpret and react to those feelings. These activities can help prepare your child for the interactions he or she will face every day at school.
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Lonely Rhino Friend Finders!
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Friends Help Friends
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Noodles’ New Home
printable
Bubble Guppies Puppet Playtime
printable
Shimmer and Shine Friendship Bracelets
game
Friendship Garden
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Exploring Emotions
printable
Nick Jr. Sharing & Caring Awards
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Bubble Guppies Feelings Pack
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Buddy Like You Song
STEM
As a child’s first teacher, parents and caregivers can expand their little one’s STEM learning by leading them toward discovery. Encourage your child’s natural curiosity by helping them explore and observe their surroundings. Allowing your child to collect, measure, discover and report will help expand your child’s science learning.
Stem Skills 101
Use time with your child to teach them basic number skills. Pointing out patterns, reciting phone numbers and allowing them to help you count are all easy ways to introduce them to math concepts. It doesn’t have to be a complex math problem – use simple, everyday objects to help!
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How to Financially Prepare for Your Child’s Higher Education
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Dora's Picture Puzzles
printable
Milli's Pattern Activity Pack
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Sweet Slingshot
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Red Key Rescue
game
Nick Jr. Camp Count & Play
game
Nick Jr. Firefighters
printable
Shimmer and Shine Compare & Color Activity Pack
printable
Blaze Shape Puzzles
printable
Blaze Color by Number Poster
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Bubble Guppies Number Tracing
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Bot's First Day of School Count & Color Book
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Shapes & Sorting
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Speed Up!
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Shape Blaster
Customize a Learning Plan
Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack is here to help you get your little one ready for kindergarten. Fill out the quick 3-minute check-in to customize a learning plan for your child.