Things to do this month

1. Take a walk and look up at the trees.  See any changes?

2. Discuss changes in clothing if you live in an area that is cold.  If you live in an area that
    stays warm, talk about what children are wearing in other areas.

3. Sprinkle bread crumbs in your yard to feed the squirrels and birds.

4. Make paper snowflakes.

Poem Activities

1.  Read the poem aloud with your child.  As you say each word as you point to it, so your child will learn that each word has a sound and a look.  Talk about any  individual word or phrase your child may not be sure of the meaning. Ask your child, "What does the word anonymous means? After discussing the word, have your child draw a picture to help reinforce the meaning of the word.  It doesn't need to be elaborate, just a small, quick drawing to help them remember.

2.  Make a copy of this poem and give to your child with a pencil.  Ask your child to circle the words that begin with "T" in the first line.  Repeat with other words throughout the poem.

3.  Make a copy of this poem and have your child circle individual letters in the poem.  For example, ask your child to circle all the “N” in the first line of the poem.  Ask “Can you find the longest word in the third line.”  Help your child count down the lines if they do not understand ordinal numbers.  What is the shortest line in the poem?

4.  Talk about what the poem means. What other ways can birds keep warm?  What does a robin look like?  Draw a picture to illustrate the poem.

5.  Talk about the author.  Who is the author?  What is an author?  If you wrote this poem, what words would you add?  What words would you change?  Did the author make you feel sorry for the birds?

Click here to print the December calendar.

Click here to print the December calendar markers.

1. Discuss the important dates for December including any special days pertaining to your family such as birthdays or anniversaries.  Talk about the different holidays and the changes that usually occur in the weather and the environment.  Don't forget to talk about any special traditions your family may have for a holiday or special day.

2.  Have your child trace the word December with their finger and say each letter out loud.

3.  Together, count how many days are in the month, while pointing to each number.

4.  Discuss what the letters at the top of the calendar mean (S M T W T F S).

5. Cut out the icons representing December and any others that relate to your family's special days.

6. Talk about what each icon represents and paste it onto the appropriate day.

7. Draw a picture within the border of the calendar that represents an aspect of  December.

8. Again, count the days of the month and say the special days.

9. Hang the calendar at your child's eye level and try to refer back to it during the month, especially around the special occasions.

These are just a few books on the subject of fall that you may want to explore with your child.  Please feel free to e-mail me the title and author of any books that you enjoy reading with your child. 

Grandmother Winter by Phyllis Root
This is a wonderfully illustrated book depicting winter as a grandmother who gathers goose feathers during the spring and summer.  She then makes a white quilt that she shakes out covering the land with snow.  This book shows time as circular and these events or seasons continue year after year.

I Like Winter by Lois Lenski
This is an easy read.  Small children will love this book because of the easy to remember phrases.  They will be reading along with you in no time.

Snow Dance by Lezlie Evans
This is a picture book containing rhyming stanzas.  The children in the book hope for snow which does fall.  School is canceled and the fun begins.  The pictures are watercolors that are bright and makes reading this book extra fun.

Akiak:  A Tale from the Iditarod
This book is about a sled dog and her last attempt at the Iditarod.  Unfortunately, Akiak becomes injured and is sent home.  She resists and catches up with the sled.  This book does a great job explaining the Iditarod and detailing the courage of Akiak and how she refused to give up.  The illustrations are more like paintings and are beautifully done.

Flannel Kisses by Crotta Brennan
This book was written for children around the ages of 2-4 yrs.  This is a rhyming book that contrasts the warmth of indoors with playing in the snowy outdoors.  The little ones will really enjoy the simple water color illustrations.

December

First snow!  The flakes,
  So few, so light,
Remake the world
  In solid white.

All bundled up,
  We feel as if
We were fat penguins,
  Warm and stiff.

Downtown, the stores
  Half split their sides,
                         And Mother brings home
                           Things she hides.

                         Old carols peal.
                           The dusk is dense.
                         There is a mood
                           Of sweet suspense.

                         The shephards wait,
                            The Kings, the tree-
                         All wait for something
                            Yet to be,

                         Some Miracle.
                            And then it's here,
                         Wrapped up in hope-
                            Another year.

                         John Updike