Partner with families to learn about their language practices, stories, and literacy-related interactions at home, recognizing that children bring rich knowledge and skills from their first languages and cultural experiences. Dual language learners should have opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the standard in both their first language and English, with supports such as first-language use, cross-language connections, gestures, visuals, and props. These opportunities allow young dual language learners to build on what they know and can do in their first language as they continue to develop communication, language, and literacy skills in all their languages.
Give each child a cutout of a butterfly or a similar shape. Have the child sit quietly and try to balance the butterfly on his/her nose, holding it there for several seconds. After having the opportunity to practice in a group several times, give all the children butterflies to keep in their cubbies. Encourage the children to use this technique when they feel the need to calm down.
