Sample Month
Month 1
Activities in Month 1 include developing fine motor skills in multiple fun activities including, peeling hard boiled eggs, using scissors and drawing. Check out the color yellow, how to identify and create a "square" shape and the letters A and E, along with so much more. Have fun!
Materials For the Month
Home Supplies
- calendar, pencil, ruler, scissors, tape, and glue (optional)
- 3 ring binder with alphabet dividers
- picture of animals beginning with A and E, assorted books and magazines
- 2 large sheets of white paper
- yellow crayon
- piece of paper (yellow)
- toothpicks/craft sticks
- napkin, container (clothes basket, drawer, bucket, etc.)
Kitchen Supplies
- apple, egg, carrot (optional)
- snack size vanilla/banana (yellow) pudding
- spoon, plate, mixing bowl
- brown sugar, cinnamon, butter
- baking dish
- stove, pan, plastic knife
- stove, pan, plastic knife
- honey, peanut butter (optional)
- blue and yellow food coloring
- 2 clear glasses to fill with water
Additional Materials
- magnetic letters, magnetic cookie sheet/refrigerator door
- can of yellow tennis balls (old or new)
- mitten, candies/marbles
- ice cube, feather(optional)
- sink, soap, towel
- a yellow piece of clothing
- band-aid (optional)
Playlist of Songs For The Month
Play these songs often throughout the month, download or check the library for albums
- The Hokey Pokey by Music for Little People Choir from album Toddlers Sing Playtime (Children) (Activity 14) or watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZinb6rVozc
- Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K448 II. Andante by Alicia de Larrocha from album Mozart: Concerto & Sonata for 2 pianos (Classical) (Activity 20) or watch this video (Activity 20)
- ABC (The Alphabet Song) from album Dora the Explorer (Children) (Activity 1)
Fingerplay/Poem/Song
Select one poem for child to memorize this month and recite it at bedtime plus one song/fingerplay to learn. Here are two examples:
My NAME Song
(Activity 25 Month 1 - Sung to tune of BINGO)
There was a family had a child
and Carly (insert child's name) was her name.
C - A - R - L - Y C - A - R - L - Y C - A - R - L - Y (spell child's name)
And Carly (insert child's name) was her name
Kind To Others
(Activity 13 Month 1 - Fingerplay)
5 little children
Standing in a row ( hold up 5 fingers)
They are kind to others
Everywhere they go. (walk hand in front of body)
I am one of the children (point to self)
Standing in a row (hold up 5 fingers)
I'll be kind to others (point to self)
Wherever I go. (walk hand in front of body)
(This fingerplay works as a reminder to a child to be kind in any situation- without saying a word. Just walk hand in front of body to silently signal a child to remember to be kind or use actual sign language for the word kind.)
Monthly Proverb
Swedish - The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
This Month's Skills Focus
These are the highlighted educational skills this month. Focus on incorporating them into your everyday lives along with the program activities.
- Shape - Square
- Color - Yellow
- Number - one, 1
- Alphabet Letter - A and E
- Senses- Touch
- Character Trait - Caring
- Target Words - in, out, empty, full
Did You Know?
Children who are not ready for kindergarten often have trouble succeeding in school. Those who do poorly in school are more likely to need to repeat classes, need special education, drop out of school, become teen parents, and get into trouble with the law. As adults, drop-outs have trouble making a living wage, and are at risk of poverty and homelessness
From Plan for the Washington Early Learning System – Draft 12/1/09 (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2005; Isaacs, 2008).
Books To Read This Month
Each month has a variety of books to read together. Each of the books is available to read for free on YouTube by clicking Read/Listen. Also, your public library may have these books www.publiclibraries.com or purchase the books at your local bookstore or online. Some months have books that are also available and identified as audiobooks and can be purchased at iTunes, audible.com, or other sites.
Reading List
The Mitten
by Jan Brett
(Activity 22)
Little Blue and Little Yellow
by Leo Lionni
(Activity 8)
Read/Listen Little Blue and Little Yellow
(Activity 12)