Learning Through the Days of the Year

By: Diane Flynn Keith and Fran Wisniewski

There are historic, important, and even fun and silly 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, websites, lessons, DVDs, and other resources to help you do just that in our Universal Preschool Learning Calendar.

Here is a sample of what you will find for the month of May...

Note: If your preschool-age child has older siblings at home, you may be interested in our comprehensive Homefires Learning Calendar with suggestions for every day of the year.

May Learning Calendar

1 — May Day! Celebrate spring! Make May Day Baskets, dance 'round the Maypole, and make daisy or dandelion crowns. Universal Preschool has lots of May Day crafts and activities for you to enjoy with your little ones.

Here are more fun May Day ideas and activities.

Watch children dance 'round the maypole on YouTube.

Read the book, "May Day/Lei Day" by Jeffrey Kent. May Day tells how this special holiday is celebrated in England, where it originated over 700 years ago and describes how Hawaii came to embrace it as Lei Day.

And you'll find references to May Day and maypole dancing in these fun books for children too:
- Angelina at the Fair by Helen Craig
- The Rainbow Tulip by Pat Mora
May 1st is also Mother Goose Day!

The term "Mother Goose" dates back to the 1650's. It referred to stories like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. It does not appear to represent a particular person, as many of "Mother Goose" stories were written both before and after this term was first used. And, the stories were written by numerous authors.

According to the Mother Goose Society: "'Mother Goose Day' was founded in 1987 by Gloria T. Delamar in tandem with the publication of her book, 'Mother Goose; From Nursery to Literature.'" Here are some resources you can use to learn while you celebrate!

Websites:
Books:
DVD:
CD's:

10 — Transcontinental Railroad completed in 1869 in Utah. Celebrate trains by reading, "The Little Engine That Could!" Or explore some of these resources:

DVD:
Websites:
- Extension activities to complement the book, The Little Engine That Could.
- Reading guides and activiites themed around The Little Engine That Could.
- Learn all about toy trains!
- Print out a coloring page of a steam locomotive!
- Complete instructions for a train craft for preschoolers.
More Book Variations:
20 — Charles Lindbergh flew first nonstop transatlantic solo flight in 1927, and
21 — Amelia Earhart completed first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic in 1932.

Celebrate aviation with these resources:

DVD:

Books:

CDs:

My Bed Is an Airplane...and Other Excuses

Websites:

Magic School Bus Taking Flight Activities
Instructions for Making Paper Airplanes -- make them for the kids and have paper airplane races!

That's just a taste of the entertaining and engaging resources that will help you boost your young child's knowledge of the world in this outstanding activity book and time-saver! Order your copy today - here's how:

New! Universal Preschool's Learning Calendar!

Fun, Easy Activities & Time-Saving Resources - Get a full 12-months of learning just for the little ones!

"If you are the parent of a preschooler - you need this calendar! It will save you hours of research and provide dozens of innovative activities, lessons, and teaching ideas that are just right for children ages 2-5!"

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