Circle Activity Collection: Family
The Circle Activity Collection has been used by teachers for over a decade to incorporate quality early learning experiences that promote school readiness. We’ve adapted over 100 of these tried and true activities, and created some new ones, for families to use at home with everyday household materials. We’ve also included some videos with real families to show you how they used the activities with their kids.
Developmental Milestones Checklists
Developmental milestones are skills that children can do by a certain age. Just like tracking height and weight, tracking developmental milestones helps caregivers see how children’s skills compare to typical growth and development. While these checklists won’t diagnose children, they can provide information for when children may need formal evaluation for possible developmental delay. Remember, it’s never too early to start tracking development!
Resources for Families with Infants and Toddlers
PALS Spotlights
PALS Spotlights are short, interactive videos that help parents support young children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language skills. The videos highlight specific strategies from the research-based Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) program that can be used throughout the day during play and daily routines.
Understanding Developmental Screening and Early Intervention
There are many tools available to help parents learn about their child’s growth and development, as well as resources for parents who have developmental concerns about their child. Check out our video series to learn about developmental milestones, developmental screening tools, and Early Childhood Intervention services for families and their children with developmental delays or disabilities.
Resources for Families with Preschoolers and Early Elementary Students
Teaching Together Parent Coaching Videos
Teaching Together is a research-based program that helps parents support the skills at home that their children are learning at school. This video series for families with children 3 to 8 years old highlights strategies on the following topics that you can use at home with your child: Talking Is Teaching, Building World Knowledge, Making Books Come Alive, and Building Trust and Cooperation.
Circle STEM Lab
Designed around videos from PBS LearningMedia, these 20 interactive activities teach foundational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) skills known to be important for 3- to 6-year-olds. Set in a virtual laboratory setting, and guided by Susie Stem and STEMBot, the child completes the integrated video segments and hands-on activities. Each child-friendly and entertaining activity is designed to facilitate independent learning.
Monitoring Your Child’s Progress
Many pre-K and kindergarten students across Texas are given special activities to help their teacher screen and track their progress in important skills. Housed on CLI Engage, the Circle Progress Monitoring System (pre-K) and the Texas Kindergarten Entry Assessment help teachers identify learning areas in which a child is developing a level of understanding that is expected for his or her age. The tools also identify areas in which a child might need more targeted support and practice. Teachers use this information to guide their instruction, and parents can use this information to extend learning at home, prioritizing those areas in which students need the most help.
If your child’s teacher uses the Circle Progress Monitoring System or the Texas Kindergarten Entry Assessment, ask your child’s teacher for your child’s Student Report for Parents.