Keystone Children & Family Services
Capital Area Head Start: Parent Resources
Dear Parents,
The Work Sampling System (for preschoolers) and the Ounce Scale (for infants and toddlers) are the assessment tools used by Capital Area Head Start and HPP. These assessments help parents, teachers and home visitors learn a child's strengths and interests and how to best support the child's development. Both assessment tools complement the High Scope curriculum which is used in your child's early childhood program. In the Work Sampling System and the Ounce Scale, you will find domains or areas of development. The child development activities listed below explain these areas of development for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and offer activities for parents to do with their child at each age to help children develop, grow and learn. Ask your home visitor or teacher if you would like more information about the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, the Work Sampling System or Ounce Scale assessment or for more ideas for things to do at home with your child.
In home and in school your child learns through play experiences and other opportunities as well as interactions and conversations with other children and adults. As you talk with your child, ask open ended questions that don't have one word answers such as "yes, no, five, blue, windy." Ask questions that encourage your child to think more deeply and develop their reasoning skills. Ask questions and start conversations using words such as: How do you think you could solve this? What would happen if'? Why do you think it works that way? How does that happen? I wonder why! Even babies can benefit from beginning to hear these types of open ended questions.
Remember each child is unique and grows, develops and learns at his or her own pace. Choose experiences and materials that match your child's abilities and interests. Enjoy these ideas with your child as you continue in your role as your child's first, and most important, teacher. Have fun!
Child Development Activities
- Infants and Toddlers
- Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Cognitive Development
- Physical Development
- Preschoolers
- Social and Emotional Development
- Approaches to Learning
- Language Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science
- More Science
- Creative Arts
- Physical Health and Development
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