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Hello December! As winter graces us with its presence, families with preschoolers are in for a treat. This month offers a perfect opportunity to embark on a tactile adventure, exploring the sense of touch and building fine motor skills with your little ones. Join us as we dive into a world of hands-on activities, heartwarming stories, and delightful moments tailored for families navigating the wonders of preschool parenting.
Week 1: Tactile Wonderland - Building Fine Motor Skills
This week, we're diving into the world of touch and texture, fostering fine motor skills in your preschooler. The sense of touch is a gateway to discovery, and every touch and feel moment contributes to the development of their tactile sensory system.
Activity 1: Reindeer Cookie Baking Extravaganza!
Did you know that December kicks off with National Cookie Day? This delightful occasion is the perfect time to engage your child's sense of touch through a fun and delicious baking activity. Together, let's craft reindeer cookies, exploring various textures and building fine motor skills.
Reindeer Cookie Recipe:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
72 small pretzel twists
½ cup chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Beat butter, sugar, peanut butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt together.
Add flour and baking soda; mix well.
Roll into balls, flatten into triangles.
Add pretzels for antlers, chocolate chips for eyes and nose.
Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Congratulations, you've created delightful reindeer cookies to explore and share with loved ones! Enhance this tactile adventure with a story about Cookie Day.
Activity 2: Cookie Day Read Aloud
Week 2: Nurturing Social and Emotional Skills
Activity 1: "Simon Says" Listening Adventure
Engage your preschooler in the classic game of "Simon Says." This activity is not just fun; it's a fantastic way to develop crucial listening skills and promote leadership qualities. Take turns being the leader, giving commands for others to follow. Commands like "Simon says touch your nose" or "Simon says hop on one foot" help enhance listening, following instructions, and waiting for their turn to lead.
Activity 2: Memory Game Picnic Party
Organize a pretend picnic party to foster empathy and social interaction. Lay out a blanket and give each toddler a small basket or plate. Ask them to bring one of their favorite toys or snacks to share with others. This activity teaches the concept of sharing and waiting for their turn. Encourage children to take turns selecting items from their baskets and offering them to their friends. It's a delightful way to build social skills and create a sense of community among little ones.
Enhance the social and emotional experience with a heartwarming story about sharing and taking turns:
Week 3: Embracing Winter and Early Math Skills
Activity 1: "Why I Love Winter" Storytime
Immerse your child in the magic of winter with a captivating story: "Why I Love Winter" by Daniel Howarth. Snuggle up and enjoy this enchanting tale that captures the beauty and wonder of the season. Discuss the story with your preschooler, exploring their thoughts and feelings about winter.
Activity 2: Beans and Paper Cups Early Math Exploration
Introduce early math skills through a fun and interactive activity called "Beans and Paper Cups." Place 10 paper cups, each labeled with numbers 1-10, in a row. In a separate container, place small objects like beans, cheerios, or pasta. Have your child place the corresponding number of objects in each cup, reinforcing counting skills without using actual numbers. Repeat this activity weekly to strengthen their understanding of "how many are" in a playful and engaging way.
Explore the wonder of winter further with another story:
Week 4: Celebrating Winter Holidays
Activity 1: Snowman Number Matching Game
Celebrate the winter holidays with a festive snowman-themed number-matching game.
Create larger snowman shapes with numbers on their bodies and cut out smaller snowman shapes with matching numbers. Scatter the snowman shapes on a table or floor and encourage your preschooler to match the smaller snowman shapes to the corresponding numbers on the larger ones. This game enhances number recognition, counting skills, and visual discrimination in a joyful and festive way.
Activity 2: Heartwarming Holiday Storytime
End the month with heartwarming stories and songs, like "Bear Stays up for Christmas" and "Potatoes at Turtle Rock." Gather around, create a cozy atmosphere, and let the magic of these holiday tales ignite the spirit of joy and togetherness in your home.
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