Stop UP!
UPstate Blog
BlogLearning Through the Days of the Year
There are historic and important events to commemorate nearly every day of the year. You can use some of these dates to boost your young child's knowledge of the world in a fun and playful way. We have compiled information, books, DVDs, and other resources to help you do just that in this on-going, free resource that will be updated monthly.
January Learning Calendar
1 — Happy New Year!
4 — Grimm's Fairy Tales Day!
Today is the birthday of Jacob Grimm who, with his brother, co-authored Grimm's Fairy Tales that included The Frog Prince, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Rapunzel, The Bremen Town Musicians, Rumpelstiltskin and more. Read a Grimm's Fairy Tale today. Then, watch a Grimm's Fairy Tale on DVD. Which one does your child like better — the story or the movie?5 — Migratory Bird Day!
Some birds fly thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in cold northern climates to their winter homes in warm southern climates each year. This special day is meant to draw attention to these birds in the hopes that people will do all they can to help preserve and protect them and their habitats. Check out Winter Bird Watching Fun for activities to help your child learn more about migratory birds.6 — Bean Day!
Celebrate this day by reading the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk. Then, get a 20 oz. bag of 15-bean soup mix and try the following activities:
- Sort the beans! Sorting is a math readiness skill. Make 15 piles - one for each type of bean. Then, sort the beans into piles of like sizes, colors, and shapes.
- Beat Art! Spread Elmer's white glue on a paper plate and have your child arrange beans in random patterns on the plate. Let dry and hang up for all to admire.
- Make Bean Soup! Let your child help you prepare the recipe on the 15-bean soup package for a warm and nourishing supper. Or try this recipe.
7 — Old Rock Day!
While this day celebrates fossils, it also provides a good excuse to introduce young children to the variety of rocks in their own backyards and neighborhoods. Here are some ideas to get you started:- Read About Rocks! Looking at Rocks (My First Field Guides) by Jennifer Dussling shows young children how to identify rocks they find wherever they go! Or try Let's Go Rock Collecting by Roma Gans that provides a more in-depth explanation of various rock formations.
- Go On A Rock Hunt! Take a walk around the neighborhood to find rocks. As you discover them, talk about the colors, shapes, sizes and textures. Collect some of the rocks to bring home. Wash them in warm soapy water and dry them. Do they look different when they are clean? Try these ideas:
- Compare the Rocks - Sort them into piles according to size, shape and color.
- Identify the Rocks - Get a field guide and see if you can match the pictures in the book to the rocks you found in order to identify some of them.
- Decorate the Rocks — Use markers to draw a funny face on a rock. Scribble on the rocks. Paint the rocks with tempera paint. Put stickers on the rocks.
- Display or store the rocks in an empty egg carton.
8 — Bubble Bath Day!
Grab your rubber ducky and head to the tub! Fill it with bubbles and have fun playing in the suds. (Oh, and for those who may wonder if bubble bath is safe, read this article by pediatrician, Dr. Greene.)- Read: Bubble Bath Pirates
11 — Splash In A Puddle Day!
If you're lucky enough to have rain today, put on your rain coat, hat, and boots, get your umbrella, and go for a walk. Stomp in puddles and search for wet weather critters like worms, slugs, salamanders, and snails. When you get home the kids will need a change of clothes. Put their clean clothes in the dryer for a couple of minutes. Remove them from the drier and have the kids put on warm, toasty clothes.Before you head outside, why not read these stories about puddles:
- Puddles by Jonathan London
- The Piggy In The Puddle by Charlotte Pomerantz
- The Puddle by David McPhail
- The Puddle Pail by Elisa Kleven
- Where Do Puddles Go? by Fay Robinson
No rain? Make your own backyard puddle with water from a garden hose!
15 — National Hat Day!
Here are some fun ideas for celebrating:- Read The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss.
- Go On A Hat Hunt - Challenge the children to find hats you have around the house. How many do you have? Take a walk or drive and point out the hats you see on people. Notice the different shapes, colors, and sizes. Visit the hat department at a clothing store. Talk about the different hats - try them on!
- Magazine Hat Hunt - Look through magazines to find pictures of people wearing hats. Can you tell what kind of a job someone has based on the hat he or she wears? Think: Baseball Cap, Football Helmet, Crown, Hard Hat, Police Officer's hat, Fire Fighter's hat, Fast-food caps, Nurse's cap, etc. Talk about what function different hats perform. Some keep you warm, some protect your head, some are for special occasions (bridal veil, top hat, graduation cap, etc.).
- Make A Hat! Follow these easy instructions for making a hat out of newspaper.
18 — Winnie The Pooh Day!
A.A. Milne, author of Winnie-the-Pooh, was born on this day in 1882. Here are some suggestions for celebrating:- Read the book Winnie-the-Pooh.
- Bake a Birthday Cake! Ask the children to help bake a simple honey cake. Don't forget to write "HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY" on it. That's how Owl wrote "Happy Birthday" on a gift for Eeyore. (See Chapter 6 of Winnie-The-Pooh online.)
- Watch, The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. Children of all ages will enjoy a journey through the 100 Acre Wood with that huggable bear! Includes "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree", "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day," and "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too."
19 — National Basketball Day!
The first basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1892. Here are some ways to celebrate:- Explore A Basketball! Show your child a basketball and compare it to other balls like tennis balls, footballs, soccer balls, ping-pong balls, and baseballs. How are they different? How are they alike? Notice the size, color, markings, texture, how high the ball bounces, the sound the ball makes when it bounces, etc.
- Play with A Basketball! Show your child how to roll the ball and bounce the ball.
- Shoot Hoops! To avoid frustration, use a basketball set designed for young children such as the one by Little Tykes. Alternatively, try tossing the ball into a laundry basket, or into the center of a hula hoop placed on the floor.
- Watch the Disney movie Air Bud about a golden retriever who can score baskets.
20 — Penguin Day!
Learn about these unusual and very popular birds that call Antarctica home.
- Read 365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental
- Penguin-Themed Activities & Crafts for Preschoolers
- Watch the Penguin Cam - Live from the Tennessee Aquarium!
- Penguins Around The World is a website that shows where penguins live worldwide. Click on any continent and find out if penguins live there.
- Watch Happy Feet! This is the popular animated film about an adorable penguin named Mumble who can't sing, but he can dance.
- Visit Penguins at the zoo!
21 — National Hugging Day!
Created in 1986 by Reverend Kevin Zaborney, this day is meant for giving and receiving hugs. A hug is a warm circle of embrace that is a signal of acceptance and inclusion. Family or group hugs reinforce togetherness and belonging. Hugs boost the body's immune system and are beneficial to both the giver and the receiver. Check out this article: "Have You Hugged Your Child Today?" Then, cuddle up on the couch and enjoy reading these books with your young children:- The Giant Hug by Sandra Horning
- Mommy Hugs by Karen Katz
- Daddy Hugs 1 2 3 by Karen Katz
23 — Measure Your Feet Day!
Measure your child's feet, your feet, and everyone else's feet today. Measure them with and without shoes. How many inches long are they? How many inches wide? Whose feet are longer? Whose are shorter?Once you're through measuring, read My Feet by Aliki. Designed for young children, the text covers the anatomy of the foot, footprints, being ticklish, and even has activities your child can try doing with his or her feet - like drawing. For a giggle, try reading Stinky, Smelly Feet: A Love Story by Margie Palatini. For more foot fun try...
25 — Opposite Day!
This is a great day to try to explain the concept of "opposite." The opposite of "no" is "yes." The opposite of black is white. The opposite of day is night. The opposite of sweet is sour. The opposite of short is tall. The opposite of forward is backward. Can you and your child think of more examples?To get clearer on the concept try reading:
- Charlie and Lola's Opposites by Lauren Child
- Eric Carle's Opposites by Eric Carle
- Exactly The Opposite by Tana Hoban
- Opposites by Sandra Boynton
- Opposites an interactive book by Robert Crowther
Fun Things To Do On Opposite Day:
- Kiss your children "Good Night" when they wake up in the morning.
- Eat dinner for breakfast and have dessert first!
- When you answer the phone say "Goodbye" instead of "Hello."
27 — Mozart Day!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer and musical genius, was born in 1756. Here are some ideas for celebrating Mozart's birthday:- Read Play, Mozart, Play by Peter Sis, a biography designed especially for young children.
- Listen to The Magic Flute by Mozart for free online.
28 — Kazoo Day!
The kazoo is a fun musical instrument that even young children can learn to play. All you have to do is start humming, place the kazoo in your mouth, and the humming turns into kazoo music! Here are illustrated instructions. You can purchase inexpensive kazoos at most toy stores, or get them at Kazoobie Kazoos. You'll find lots of information about kazoos for older children and adults here.29 — National Puzzle Day!
Puzzles are fun and a great way to pass the time. Some of the best puzzles for young children are produced by Ravensburger. Or try these free, fairy-themed online puzzles for very young children. You may enjoy reading "How to Choose Puzzles for Preschoolers."31 — Backward Day!
Do everything backward today! Walk backward, read a book backward (from the end to the beginning), say the alphabet backward, write backward, wear your clothes backward. When you eat dinner, start with dessert. Play a game backward - this is especially fun with board games, simply start at the finish line!
Note: If your preschool-age child has older siblings at home, you may be interested in our comprehensive DVD Schooling Calendar with learning suggestions for every day of the year.
 |  |  |
| ||
 | |  |
| ||
| Copyright 2004-2008, Diane Flynn Keith, All Rights Reserved. | Contact Universal Preschool.com |
Hosted & Designed by: | |
