Day 27

Literacy: Yarn Swirls
Objectives	Materials	Method
Begin to trace	Card Marker Scissors Yarn Elmer's Glue	Cut large (at least 11” x 11”) squares. On the squares draw swirls, circles, lines, and zig-zags. Have your child trace along the lines with the glue. Assist where necessary. Now cut the yarn the right length and have your child place the yarn on top of the glue. It is probably easiest for your child to begin with a straight line, and then a circle, then swirls, then finally zig-zags.
Math: Explore 1 and 2
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the numbers	Paper Maker Crayons Multiple identical objects (such as pasta, stones, toy cars, pens, cups)	With the marker, outline the number 1. On another piece of paper, outline the number 2. Have your child color in the numbers. Now have the objects you have selected be placed around the house. Together with your child go and find the objects. Say something like, “This is one pen.” If you encounter two pens, say, “There are two pens.” Place the one pen with the number 1. Place the two pens with the number 2. Continue looking for the objects and again, if you find two cups, say, “Two cups.” Ask your child which number (1 or 2) the two cups go with. When you encounter more objects, ask your child how many of the object there are and with which number they should place the objects.
Fine Motor Development: Cereal Bracelets
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Pipe cleaners Fruit Loops or Cheerios	Show your child how to thread the cereal onto the pipe cleaners. Encourage them to do so until the pipe cleaner is full of Fruit Loops. Tie the pipe cleaner around your child's write to form a bracelet.
Art: Foil Drawing
Objectives	Materials	Method
Explore different textures and mediums	Foil Colored permanent markers Card	Wrap the foil around the card so that the foil is given a little more strength. Now give your child the markers and encourage them to draw.
Physical Education: Pillow Walking
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Pillows and Cushions	Place the pillows and cushions on the floor to form a path. Tell your child to follow you as you walk along the path.

Day 26

Literacy: Letter Sort
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the name and sound of a letter	Paper Marker Scissors	Cut 20 or 25 small squares (2” x 2”) from the paper. Pick two or three letters you want to work with, such as B and T. Write these letters on the squares. You might have 10 B squares and 15 T squares. Jumble the letters together and place them in a pile. Have you child select a letter and say the sound of the letter. Repeat. If the letter is the same as before, place these letters together. Otherwise, make a new pile. Within a short time, you should have two (or three, depending on how many letters you are focusing on) piles of letters. Once these piles are established, have your child guess which pile the letters should go in.
Math: Ziplock Numbers
Objectives	Materials	Method
Developing a basic concept of addition	Ziplock Bag Marker Card Scissors	Cut five small (2”) circles from the card. Place them in the ziplock bag. Using the marker, draw a line down the center of the bag. Place all the circles on the one side of the line and have your child count the circles. Now move on circle to the other side of the line. Have your child count how many are on each side of the line and how many circles there are in total. Repeat after moving another circle to the other side of the line so that there are three on one side and two on the other. Keep moving the circles and have your child count. The goal is to have them realize that 4 circles and 1 circle makes up 5 circles, but so do 2 circles and 3 circles.
Fine Motor Development: Hammering
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Wood Nails Hammer	Hammer several nails in some wood so that they are firmly in the wood, but not completely hammered into the wood. Help your child hammer. When they are ready, allow them to hammer the nails alone.
Music: Dance Ribbon
Objectives	Materials	Method
Dance to music	Key chain Long piece of ribbon Music	Tie the one end of the ribbon to the key chain. Play music and encourage your child to dance and twirl while holding the ribbon.
Physical Education: Bulls Eye Bowling
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Masking tape Ball	Using masking tape create three concentric circles on the floor. Have your child stand 6 feet away and roll (or throw) the ball towards the circles. The aim is to get the ball into the center circle. Take turns rolling the ball.

Day 25

Literacy: ABC Match
Objectives	Materials	Method
Associate words with particular letters	Paper Marker Scissors Objects beginning with letters you want to focus on	Cut small squares (4” x 4”) from the paper and write some letters on the squares, such as A, B, C. Find small objects that begin with those letters, such as an apple, a ball, and a cup. Place the letters on a flat surface. Have your child select an object and name the object. Repeat the name of the object, while emphasizing the first letter. Have your child guess which letters the word begins with. Provide help where needed.
Math: Explore Symmetry
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn about symmetry	Paper Paint	Fold the paper in half. On the one side, have your child place some paint. Now fold the paper in half. Before opening the paper, ask your child what they think will happen. Open the paper and show them how the paint appears on both sides. The image is now symmetrical. Now place some more paint on the paper. Fold and ask them what they think will happen. Open the paper and point out how the image is symmetrical and that it looks the same on both sides. Repeat until the paper is covered with paint.
Fine Motor Development: Dry Erase Maze
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Empty CD case Paper Marker Dry erase marker Scissors	Cut a piece of paper to fit within the CD case. Using the marker, draw a basic maze and then place it within the CD case. Give your child a dry erase marker and help them complete the maze. Once done, erase the marks and they can play again or you can create a new maze.
Science: Magnetic Sort
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn about magnets	Magnet Several metal objects (such as a spoon, a metal toy car, and a paperclip) Several non-metal objects (such as a rubber ball, a pompom, and a sock)	Show your child the magnet and tell them that it is a magnet. Place the objects in a pile. Tell them that because you have a magnet, some of the objects will “stick” together. Have your child to select and object and name it. Ask them to predict whether it will “stick” to the magnet. Test their hypothesis by placing it against the magnet. Repeat with all the objects. Place the magnetic objects together and the non-magnetic objects in another pile.
Physical Education: Dog Imitation
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Pictures of dogs YouTube videos of dogs	Show pictures and videos of various dogs. Point out the various things that make a dog unique and different to your child, such as their tail, black nose, four legs, fur, and so on. Together with your child get on all fours and pretend to be a dog. Pant like a dog. Jump up like a dog. Walk like a dog.

Day 24

Literacy: Tracing lines
Objectives	Materials	Method
Begin to trace	Paper Crayon Marker	On the left hand side of the paper draw several pictures of animals, one under each other (such as a fish, a cat, a duck, and a cow). On the right hand side of the paper draw something that resembles where they like to be (such as the ocean, a chair, a pond, and a field). Draw straight, curved, or zig-zag dotted lines between the images of the left and those on the right. Have your child hold a crayon and guide their hand to trace the dotted line. Have them try alone.
Math: Coin Puzzle
Objectives	Materials	Method
Matching the same sizes	Various sized coins Paper Marker	Place the coins on the paper and trace around the coins. Put the coins in a pile. Have your child select a coin and figure out where it goes. Repeat with all the coins.
Fine Motor Development: Threading Beads
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Large beads String	Show your child how to thread the beads by showing them how to hold the bead in one hand and the string in the other. Have them use their index finger and thumb to thread the string through the hole of the bead.
Art: Puffy Paint
Objectives	Materials	Method
Explore different textures and mediums	Self-raising flour Salt Water Food Coloring Small containers Paint brushes Card cut in order to fit in the microwave	Mix 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 tablespoon of salt, 3 teaspoons of water, and food coloring. Combine until it is a smooth paste. Have your child use paint brushes or their fingers to paint a picture on the card. Encourage your child to paint it on thick. Place it in the microwave. Depending on the strength of your microwave, take the painting out when the paint is puffy. It probably would not take more than 25 seconds.
Physical Education: Bean Bag Catch
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Wooden board (about 28 inches by 4 inches) PVC pipe (4 inches in length) Sand paper Glue Beanbags	Glue the PVC pipe to the wooden board about 6 inches from the one side. On the other side of the board, glue the sand paper. Place the board on the ground with the sand paper side up. Put the bean bags on the sand paper and show your child how to stomp on the other side of the wooden board in order to make the bean bags fly into the air. Encourage them to stomp on the wooden board and then to catch the bean bags.

Day 23

Literacy: Play Dough Writing
Objectives	Materials	Method
Begin to trace the letters of the alphabet	Play dough Pencil or pen	Roll the play dough out on a flat surface. Have your child hold the pencil. Guide your child's hand and write a letter of your choice repeatedly. Have your child say the sound of the letter. Now have your child try. This will likely be difficult but can be done repeatedly.
Math: Blocks in a Shape
Objectives	Materials	Method
Is able to construct various basic shapes	Foam Scissors Marker Paper	Cut the foam into about ten 2 inch squares. On the paper form shapes using 5 to 10 of the squares and trace around them. For instance, you might make an H or an L or any other shape. For each shape, give your child the right number of squares and ask them: “Can you fit these squares into the shape?” You may need to show your child how to do a few.
Fine Motor Development: Hanging the Washing
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	String or cotton Clothes pins Paper cut into squares or other shapes (such as in the shape of clothing)	Tie the string between two chairs at your child's shoulder height. Place the clothes pins on the line along with the paper. Have your toddler remove the clothes pin from the line and place the paper in a pile. Once they are successfully completing this task, have them attempt placing the clothes pins and paper on the line.
Music: Incy Wincy Spider
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn a nursery rhyme	Black paper Black yarn Scissors Wobbly eyes Glue	Together cut the black paper into a large circle. Have your child glue on the eyes and eight small pieces of yarn for the legs. Together sing Incy Wincy Spider.
Physical Education: Kick the Can
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	An empty tin can	Place the empty tin can at one side of the room or yard. Encourage your child to kick the can in a specified direction. Place the can back in position and tell your child that they are to kick the can repeatedly until the can in in a designated spot. Correct their course when necessary.

Day 22

Literacy: Bag of B's
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the name and sound of a letter Associate words with particular letters	Large bag Items that start with the letter B (such as ball, book) Items that do not start with the letter B (such as pen, shoe)	Place the items in the bag. Have your child reach into the bag and pull an object out. Ask them what the object is. Say the word emphasizing the first letter and ask them if it starts with a “B.” Since they probably won't know, tell them and repeat the exercise with the other objects.
Math: Tracing Numbers
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the numbers	Paper Marker Crayon	On a piece of paper write a number using dots. Make several copies. Help your trace the number with the crayon. Do this as many times as needed. When they are ready, have them trace the number by themselves.
Fine Motor Development: Cutting along the Line
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Paper Marker Scissors	Draw a straight line from one side of a piece of paper to the other. Show your child how to place their index finger and thumb in the pair of scissors and then begin cutting. Instruct them to cut along the line. If necessary, place your hand over theirs to guide them. Repeat using curved or zig-zag lines when your child has developed this skill.
Science: Friction Races
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning about friction	Card Scissors Three identical cars Foil Felt 3 stacks of books of equal height	Cut the card into three identical rectangles (1.5 feet by 4 inches). Place each card on each stack of books. Show your child how a car will race from the top to the bottom. Race all three cars at the same time. Ask them to make an observation regarding the speed of the cars and whether one car is faster than another. Now place foil over one rectangle and felt over another rectangle. Repeat the experiment. Again ask your child to make an observation regarding the speed of the cars and whether one was faster than another. Talk about friction and how it will slow objects down. You can also try this with other rough surfaces such as sandpaper.
Physical Education: Unroll and Roll the Mat
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement Strengthen Wrist Muscles	Mat	Place your knees and your child's knees on the end of the mat after you have unrolled it a little. Together unroll the mat. Now let your child practice alone. To roll the mat, show your child how to roll the one side to form a tight roll. Repeat until the mat is rolled up. Now help your child do the same and practice until they have mastered the it.

Day 21

Literacy: Alphabet Monster Game
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the name and sound of a letter	Different colored paper Scissors Sharpie Empty box (such as a cereal box or Pringles can) Glue Wobbly Eyes	Cut circles from the paper (about 2.5 inches in diameter). Twenty six for either lower-case or capital letters. Fifty two for both. Write a different letter on each circle. In the empty box cut a hole for the mouth. Cover the box with colored paper. Glue on eyes (and hair if you desire using yarn). Lay the letters no a flat surface. Have your child pick up a letter and say the sound and then place it through the mouth of the monster.
Math: Create a picture
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning to count objects	Different colored paper Glue	Cut multiple shapes from different colored paper, such as 5 stars, 4 rectangles, 6 circles, and so on. Help your child use the shapes to make a picture, such as green rectangles along the bottom of the page to form grass, or a yellow circle and rectangles to form a sun. As you and your child glue the shapes to the paper, count the number of repeated shapes you use.
Fine Motor Development: Noodle Necklace
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Yarn Scissors Pasta (such as penne or macaroni)	Cut the yarn so that it is a good length for a necklace. Show your child how to thread the noodles onto the yarn. Have them try and assist when necessary. Tie the ends to form a necklace.
Art: Water Color – Glue – Salt Art
Objectives	Materials	Method
Explore textures	Water Colors Elmer's Glue Salt Canvas or Watercolor paper	Using the water colors, have your child spread as much paint on the canvas as possible in order to cover it. Then, have them drizzle glue all over the canvas. Finally sprinkle salt on the canvas.
Physical Education: Balance the Tray
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement Balance	Tray with one object on it	Place the tray on a table and show your child how to take the tray to the other side of the room without dropping the object. Invite your child to try. Add more objects for increased difficulty.

Day 20

Literacy: Magic Letters
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the name and sound of a letter	Paper White Crayon Paint Brush Water Water Colors	On the paper draw one large letter using the white crayon. Have your child paint on the paper using the water colors. The letter is then revealed. Ask your child to name the letter and say it's sound. Repeat with other letters of the alphabet.
Math: Rolling the Die
Objectives	Materials	Method
Associate the number of dots with the numeral	Die	Have your child roll the die and then count the number of dots on the face. Help them understand that the number of dots represents a particular number. Keep rolling the die and counting the dots. This can be continued until they start to recognize that four dots represents the number 4 without having to count.
Fine Motor Development: Spooning
Objectives	Materials	Method
Improvement of hand-eye coordination	Two bowls with one containing beans Spoon	Show your child how to hold the spoon using their thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Have them spoon each bean from one bowl to another until the empty bowl is filled.
Music: Xylophone
Objectives	Materials	Method
Explore beat and rhythm	Six popsicle sticks Paint/Crayons/Markers Glue Wooden dowel	Have your child color or paint the popsicle sticks. Glue two sticks in a V-shape. Then glue the remaining four sticks evenly on top of the V. Have your child use a wooden dowel to play with the xylophone.
Physical Education: Jump the Rope
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Two chairs Rope	Tie a rope between two chairs. Make sure it is low to the ground. Show your child how to jump over the rope with both feet. Let them try. As they are successful, raise the rope slightly.

Day 19

Literacy: Cereal Name
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the representation of their name	Paper Sharpie School Glue Fruit Loops or Cheerios	On the paper write your child's name so that it fills the paper. Have your child trace the letters with the glue. Now they can place the cereal on the glue while it is still wet.
Math: Number Stamps
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the numbers	Foam number stickers 10 plastic bottle tops Paint Sponges Paper	Glue the non-sticky side of the number onto the bottle top and peel away the white backing on the number. Place some paint on the sponges. Demonstrate to your child how to press the bottle top face down into the sponge so that the number is covered in paint. Now press the bottle top on the paper. Have your child experiment. Each time they pick up a number, have them say what number they are picking up.
Fine Motor Development: Color Wheel
Objectives	Materials	Method
Development of the pincer grip Hand-eye coordination Learn the names of the colors	Clothes Pins Card Scissors Different colored markers	Cut out a large circle from the piece of card. Divide the circle into segments by drawing a line across the diameter and then again. Divide it so that there are enough segments for the number of colors and clothes pins you have. Color each segment a different color. On the clothes pins draw a dot with the same colors, so that each clothes pin has a different color which corresponds to the color wheel. Place the clothes pins in a pile. Have you child pick up a clothes pin and place it on corresponding color. Repeat until all the clothes pins are attached to the color wheel.
Science: Buoyancy
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn about buoyancy Learn about objects that sink and float Learn about gravity	Large tub filled half way with water Small plastic container with a lid Pennies	Have you child place the empty container on the water. Ask them what they notice about the container. Comment on the fact that it floats. Now add one coin. Place the container on the water. Notice whether it floats or sinks. Add another coin and repeat the process. Keep adding one coin at a time until the container begins to sink. Tell them that gravity is what pulls the container downwards and that buoyancy is the force that helps the container float rather than sink.
Physical Education: Basketball
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Ball Kids Basketball hoop or a basket/tub/box	Show your child how to throw a ball into the hoop/box. Help them by guiding their hands. As the task becomes easier, raise the hoop higher.