Learning Through the Days of the Year

By: Diane Flynn Keith

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 September...

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.

September Learning Calendar

• 1 — Cherry Popover Day!
  Cherry season is coming to a close. Use the last cherry harvest to make cherry popovers. It's easy:

  
  • 2 cups fresh pitted cherries
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • packaged crescent roll dough

  Mix together cherries, sugar and cornstarch - and allow mixture to rest for about 10 minutes. Then, over medium heat, bring cherry mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer until thickened. Allow mixture to cool. Separate crescent roll dough into individual pieces. Put about 1 to 2 tablespoons of cherry pie filling in center of one crescent roll dough. Place another crescent roll over the top. Pinch edges together to form one "popover." Bake according to the crescent roll dough package directions.

  Make Your Own Cherry Trees - to last all year long!

  • twigs
  • glue
  • construction paper
  • red tempera paint

  Go on a walk to find some twigs. When you get home, show your child how to glue a twig onto a sheet of white construction paper to make a tree shape. When the glue dries, have your child dip an index (pointer) finger into some red tempera paint. Show him/her how to press their finger onto the construction paper (around the twig) to make "cherries." When paint is dry, hang the cherry tree on the wall to enjoy year-round.

• 7 — Grandma Moses Day!
  Anna Mary Moses, a celebrated American folk artist (who didn't begin to paint until she was 70-years-old, and wasn't "discovered" until she was 80) was born today in 1860. She lived to be 101 years old. Her paintings delight children of all ages. There are many children's books that feature the artwork of Grandma Moses. Here are some your children may enjoy:

  • Grandma Moses (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
  • The Year with Grandma Moses by W. Nikola-Lisa
  • Dropping in on Grandma Moses by Pamela Geiger Stephens

• 15 — Make A Hat Day!
  Fall is just around the corner, and cooler weather means people will start wearing hats to stay warm. This is the perfect day to wear a hat! In fact, use these easy directions to make a BIG hat out of a brown paper bag. But first, read all about hats with these fun books:

  • The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins by Dr. Seuss
  • The Hat by Jan Brett
  • Jennie's Hat by Ezra Jack Keats
  • The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
  • A Three Hat Day by Laura Geringer

• 18 — National Play-Doh Day!
  A day set aside for one of childhood's favorite pastimes - playing, sculpting, molding and creating with Play-Doh. Get fun activity ideas for children of all ages at the Play-Doh website.

  • Make Edible Play Dough! You can eat your artwork when it's made out of peanut butter, chocolate, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, oatmeal, cream cheese, frosting and more! Use these recipes!

• 22 — National Elephant Appreciation Day!
  There is something about elephants that appeals to most kids! Today you can celebrate Elephant Appreciation Day with these fun activities:

  • Read Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Unabridged Classics by Jean De Brunhoff - This book contains all 6 stories written about the beloved, fictional pachyderm including: The Story of Babar, The Travels of Babar, Babar the King, Babar and Zephir, Babar and His Children, and Babar and Father Christmas. Babar has incredible life adventures reflecting a broad range of experiences that young children really enjoy.
  • Eat Elephant Food! Enjoy peanuts, peanut butter sandwiches, and peanut butter cookies. If you can't eat peanuts due to allergies, try making a batch of delicious "Mini Elephant Ears!"
  • Watch the Elephant Cam! - At The San Diego Zoo website you can watch a live streaming video of elephants, see elephant pictures, learn about elephants and much more!
  • Print out Free Elephant Coloring Pages!

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:

Have Older Children?

• Check out Homefires DVD Schooling Calendar

Going on a Road Trip?

• Use The Carschooling Learning Calendar to spark interesting and educational "carversations" with your kids!

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